Schnall’s medical license suspended

Published 6:43 am Monday, March 3, 2008

Shoreline pediatrician and past school board member, Dr. Bill Schnall, has had his license suspended by the state medical board after allegations of inappropriate patient-doctor relationships.

Schnall’s license was suspended Aug. 15 by the state Medical Quality Assurance Commission, after allegations that he violated boundaries with a number of adolescent patients, all of whom were male. State Department of Health officials began investigating Schnall in April.

Schnall has not been charged with a crime, but has 20 days to respond to the accusations of the Medical Quality Assurance Commission.

“He is a very gentle, caring person,” said Dr. Giselle Falkenberg, who worked with Schnall at Richmond Pediatric Clinic for more than 13 years. “His only fault is that he may be too generous, too caring; that is just the person he is.”

Falkenberg was shocked by the allegations. She said Schnall is trusted by patients and colleagues, and she worries about the effect the allegations will have on the community.

“I have worked with Dr. Schnall for many years, his desk is next to my desk,” Falkenberg said. “I trust what he does in the office completely; his integrity can be trusted as a physician and in this office.”

In a statement released by Schnall on Aug. 16, he stated he “dealt with many difficult, troubled adolescents, one of whom has made serious allegations against him.”

Schnall has been licensed as a physician and surgeon in the state since July, 1973.

The commission alleges the boundary violations are sexual in nature and occurred in the past two years, with eight adolescent males. Schnall had the majority of contact with one male, according to commission documents.

According to the commission’s report, Schnall financially assisted several of the patients, and many of those with whom he became involved are troubled adolescents. He has treated some since birth.

In one case, with the patient with whom he was most involved, Schnall allegedly helped the teenager attend college, contingent on the patient providing him academic updates and maintaining a 3.0 or better grade point average. Schnall’s financial assistance also paid for books, a VISA card, miscellaneous cash and the rental of an apartment, totaling $41,517.

The patient also stayed at Schnall’s house on numerous occasions, where he had a designated bedroom, and at one point Schnall administered the patient a prescription for Aderall, a medication for attention deficit disorder, according to the documents.

The two also had physical contact, and Schnall solicited and received back rubs or massages from the patient. He also displayed affection and in an e-mail sent on May 8, 2004, wrote, “I honestly don’t think that anyone loves you as much as I do.” In the communications, Schnall also mentioned masturbation.

According to the state, Schnall increasingly demanded to know the patient’s personal information, and when he failed to disclose information, Schnall would threaten or require a process he called “oathing.” This entailed the patient standing in front of him in his boxer shorts, or naked, and required that he promise better behavior.

The patient began referring to Schnall as “dad,” and Schnall called the patient “son,” the documents say.

Schnall also allegedly took nude photographs of the patient and began demanding “Viagra oathings,” in which the patient was required to take Viagra, supplied by Schnall, and to stand in front of the mirror and masturbate.

In Nov. 7, 2004, the patient said he wanted to end the relationship. According to the report, Schnall attempted to visit the patient at his home and when no one answered the door, he crawled through a bedroom window and startled the patient’s mother, who called police.

The patient subsequently sought legal council, as Schnall repeatedly attempted to initiate contact, the report says.

Schnall also developed a relationship with another young patient, whom he also provided financial assistance, paying for an apartment and furnishings, as well as community college tuition, a cell phone, clothes, motorcycle and cash, totaling about $11,558, the report says.

After the patient was arrested, Schnall allegedly instructed him to remove his clothing and be hosed down with water in Schnall’s backyard. The relationship between the two soon ended and shortly after, on May 24, a Department of Health investigator warned Schnall to not have contact with the patient.

Schnall’s interaction with the other six patients also involved inappropriate contact, which was nonsexual with three patients.

Schnall served on the Shoreline School Board from November 1989-August 1996. He is married with children.