Disturbing News

Dear Colleagues:

We are writing to share with you some deeply disturbing news.

After being alerted by an employee, on February 4, 2013, our security department at Johns Hopkins initiated an investigation of Nikita Levy, M.D., a Hopkins obstetrician/gynecologist. Within a day, we determined that Dr. Levy had been illegally and without our knowledge, photographing his patients and possibly others with his personal photographic and video equipment and storing those images electronically. At that time, in order to protect patient welfare, Dr. Levy was prohibited from any further patient contact.

Johns Hopkins promptly reported this activity to the Baltimore City Police Department. In light of this information, which Dr. Levy acknowledged, we ended his employment on February 8 and offered him counseling services. We then sent a communication to Dr. Levy's current patients to assure continuity of care and to help them reschedule appointments with another provider.

Any invasion of patient privacy is intolerable. Words cannot express how deeply sorry we are for every patient whose privacy may have been violated. Dr. Levy's behavior violates Johns Hopkins code of conduct and privacy policies and is against everything for which Johns Hopkins Medicine stands. We continue to work closely with law enforcement officials and will assist them in any way possible. Apart from a few individuals who have been notified, we are not aware at this time of the identities of any other people who may have been photographed by Dr. Levy. We are continuing to investigate.

Tragically, today we learned that Dr. Levy apparently has taken his own life. We send our condolences to his family and friends.

Since this is an ongoing police investigation, we have been asked not to provide any more detail at this time. In addition to notifying the police, we have set up a call center for Dr. Levy's patients and are also offering them counseling. The number is 855-546-3785.

In order to ascertain the full extent of this matter, the Johns Hopkins Medicine Board of Trustees will be setting up a separate independent investigation which will work in tandem with law enforcement. The Board expects to name someone shortly to head up the independent investigation.

Some of you may have known Dr. Levy or have been one of his patients. We understand that this news will be even more difficult for you. We want you to know that the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (443-287-7000) is expediting appointments for those affected.

Patient privacy is a top concern at Johns Hopkins Medicine. We believe this is an isolated incident and it in no way represents our organization and its 34,000 employees, faculty, physicians and students. We take this matter extremely seriously. We deeply regret any distress to our patients and their families.

Should you be contacted by the media concerning this issue, please immediately refer the request to our media relations team: 410-955-6681 on weekdays and 410-955-6070 during evenings and weekends.

It is in times of such adversity that we are reminded of how fortunate and thankful we are to have the support of each one of you. Please know that we stand with you as we all pull together to face this challenging circumstance.

Sincerely,
Paul B. Rothman, M.D.
Dean of the Medical Faculty
CEO, Johns Hopkins Medicine

Ronald R. Peterson
President
The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
EVP, Johns Hopkins Medicine