Toronto Gynecologist Clinic Exposes 2,500 Women to HIV

Toronto Public Health (TPH) has alerted 2,500 women about potential HIV and hepatitis exposure after medical instruments at Dr. Esther Park’s, a Toronto gynecologist clinic were improperly cleaned for four years.

Clinic Used Improperly Sterilized Instruments for Years

TPH confirmed that between October 10, 2020, and October 10, 2024, staff at Dr. Park’s clinic failed to properly clean, disinfect, and sterilize medical instruments. As a result, patients may have been exposed to bloodborne infections like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV.

Patients who underwent the following procedures face the greatest risk:

Endocervical polyp excision
Endometrial biopsy
Intrauterine Device (IUD) insertion or removal

Dr. Park’s clinic operates near Bloor and Dundas Streets at 20 Edna Road.

Health Officials Say Risk of Infection is Low

Although officials believe the risk of transmission remains low, they have advised affected patients to consult a healthcare provider for testing.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) has already restricted Dr. Park’s medical license. Since December 2024, she has only been allowed to practice office-based gynecology. The CPSO also confirmed that an active investigation is underway.

Patients Express Outrage and Fear

Many of Dr. Park’s patients say they feel shocked and betrayed after receiving TPH’s warning letter.

Zahra Bakhsh, one of the affected patients, described feeling “enraged and in shock” after learning about the potential exposure.
Amal Alsheikh said she panicked upon reading the letter and immediately went for blood tests. Although her results came back negative, she struggled with anxiety while waiting.

Some patients now demand that Dr. Park permanently lose her medical license.

Clinic to Close Amid Investigation

A clinic staff member refused to comment when contacted by CBC News.

However, the clinic’s answering machine states that Dr. Park is retiring and will no longer accept new patients. The office is set to close permanently in April 2025.

Health Officials Continue Investigation

The CPSO is reviewing Dr. Park’s infection control violations.
Dr. Park resigned from St. Joseph’s Health Centre in December 2024 after previously working with Unity Health.
Patients now question how these unsafe practices went unnoticed for four years.

What Affected Patients Should Do

TPH urges all patients who visited Dr. Park’s clinic between 2020 and 2024 to:

See their doctor for HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C testing.
Contact Toronto Public Health for further guidance.
Monitor their health and keep medical records of any symptoms or treatments.

This case raises serious concerns about medical safety and highlights the need for stronger oversight to prevent similar risks in the future.

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Clinic Used Improperly Sterilized Instruments for Years