A Utah magazine was forced to apologize after including an obstetrician-gynecologist accused of sexually assaulting more than 100 women in its “Best Of” issue.
Utah Valley Magazine included Dr. David Broadbent in its latest edition which included area reader favorites.
The magazine invited its readers to vote for their favorites in several categories.
The obstetrician-gynecologist, accused by more than 120 women of sexual abuse during medical examinations, won the fertility category.
He allegedly abused and beat women while examining them and exploited them for sexual pleasure, even moaning while doing so in some cases.
Stephanie Mateer, who was among those who accused Broadbent, said she lost sleep and had trouble concentrating after seeing him on the list.
More than 120 women filed complaints of misconduct, and 94 of them took part in a lawsuit against Broadbent and two of the hospitals where he worked.
Stephanie Mateer, who was among those who accused Broadbent, told the Salt Lake Tribune that she lost sleep and had trouble concentrating after seeing him on the list.
The list had reopened old wounds, forcing her to remember the time someone who knew Broadbent had called her and called her a liar.
Speaking to the outlet earlier this week, Mateer said: “There’s no situation where it’s not painful.”
Narrating what happened to him last year to the outlet, Mateer said: “He made me put on a gown, he pulled up the gown and did a breast exam.
“It wasn’t like a flat palm, it was eye-catching. He then proceeded to perform a vaginal examination without any warning.
“I was even more shocked when he performed a rectal exam without any warning, it was very painful and really aggressive.” As he finished, he said, “Well, your husband is a lucky man.”
Mateer also said the magazine’s decision to include him in the list highlighted the fact that Utah licensees had not revoked his license, despite the claims.
Brooke Heath, another plaintiff in the same lawsuit, told the outlet this week that including her name was a “slap in the face.”
Broadbent, accused by more than 120 women of sexual abuse during medical exams, won the fertility category.
Utah Valley Magazine included Dr. David Broadbent in its latest edition, which included area reader favorites.
According to the Salt Lake Tribune, the magazine invited its readers to vote for their favorites in several categories.
Broadbent was allowed to enter into a “non-disciplinary” stipulation in which he voluntarily agreed to stop seeing patients for the time being.
She added: “The fact that Utah has not revoked his license after hundreds of women accused him of sexual assault is appalling.”
Brooke Heath, another plaintiff in the same lawsuit, told the outlet this week that having her name included was a “slap in the face.”
Heath added that she appreciated how quickly the publication responded to the issue.
She said: “I’m really impressed by the strong women we have. Who have the audacity to voice their concerns, even despite all the times we’ve been shut down. Saying enough is enough.
Heath alleged that Broadbent groped her, previously telling KJZZ, “He continued to grope me in a way that is definitely not consistent with a normal breast exam.”
A judge ruled in September 2022 that the lawsuit fell under medical malpractice law instead of a civil sexual assault claim.
Broadbent was allowed to enter into a “non-disciplinary” stipulation in which he voluntarily agreed to stop seeing patients for the time being.
Editor-in-chief Jeanette Bennett said in a statement that its inclusion in the list had led to a “hard learning lesson.”
Bennett said staff checked to see if his license had been revoked in the state after he received enough votes to make the top three.
She said: “We chose not to change the votes and left the results unchanged. We have now heard from many of the women involved in the trial.
“Their stories are heartbreaking. We are especially sorry that our Best Of results have added to their sorrows.
“This is a case where we should have put the data aside and ignored the votes of our readers.”
Bennett said they would apologize in their next print edition and posted a retraction on their social media.
Despite the pursuit and reports made to police, Broadbent has yet to be charged with a crime and categorically denies all allegations against him.
Broadbent, Utah Valley Hospital and Intermountain Healthcare are defendants in the case. They all asked the judge to dismiss the complaint.
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