Circumvent Circumcision

Washington State

Whatcom County Medical Society

[Top] [Response]

August 4, 1999 

Grievance Committee 
Whatcom County Medical Society
3130 Squalicum Parkway 
Bellingham, WA 98225 

Dear Grievance Committee: 

According to the enclosed newspaper article, from the March 2, 1999 Bellingham Herald, Dr. Kenneth B. Gass, Madrona Medical Group, P.S., Northwest Campus, 3149 Ellis Street, Suite 101, Bellingham, WA 98225 has been circumcising infants for the last 30 years, usually 12 hours after birth.

I called Dr. Gass' office on the morning of April 20th, 1999 to ask if this newspaper article was accurate in that regard. I was told that a message would be left for Dr. Gass to call me, however. I have not received this call.

I accuse Dr. Gass of unprofessional conduct as defined in RCW 18.130.180 (16) "Promotion for personal gain of any unnecessary or inefficacious drug. device. treatment, procedure, or service."

As the enclosed newspaper article says, Dr. Gass recommends against circumcision, yet he performs them, for his personal gain. The American Academy of Pediatrics has admitted in their last statement on circumcision that the benefits aren't significant enough to recommend it as a routine procedure, therefore it is unnecessary and inefficacious. The fact that Dr. Gass performs circumcisions means that he is promoting them, whether he waves his hands and says he doesn't recommend them, or not.

I accuse Dr. Gass of unprofessional conduct as defined in RCW 18.130.180 (24) "Abuse of a client or patient or sexual contact with a client or patient."

Cutting a patient's penis is both sexual, to the child if not to Dr. Gass, and abuse. It is abuse when it is not done for strictly medical reasons, after all less extreme measures have failed. Amputation is not the standard of care for healthy sexual tissue.

Please tell me how you will ensure that this physician will not circumcise any more unconsenting infants.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Gary G. Burlingame

WCMS   WHATCOM COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY

August 17, 1999

Mr. Gary Burlingame
[address]

Dear Mr. Burlingame:

I am responding to your letter received in our office August 6, 1999, regarding Dr. Kenneth Gass.

The Whatcom County Medical Society Grievance Committee exists to assist patients with their relationship with their physician, and to help mediate any misunderstanding or disagreement between patient and physician. Your complaint does not appear to fall within those parameters, so the Committee will not be taking further action.

We appreciate, however, your taking the time to write to us regarding your concerns, and will keep your letter on file.

Sincerely,

[signed]

Warren B. Howe, M.D.
Chairman, WCMS Grievance Committee

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