Former Brigham physician Dr. Derrick Todd facing rape charges

Crime

Dr. Derrick Todd allegedly sexually assaulted patients under the guise of legitimate medical exams, prosecutors said.

By Abby Patkin

January 17, 2025 | 2:16 PM

3 minutes to read

Dr. Derrick Todd, a once-prominent Brigham and Women’s Hospital physician accused of sexually assaulting more than 200 patients, has now been indicted on two counts of rape. 

Prosecutors allege Todd sexually assaulted two women while giving them medical examinations in December 2022 and June 2023 at Charles River Medical Associates in Framingham. 

Todd pleaded not guilty to the charges during a Friday court appearance, and Judge Michael A. Sullivan set bail at $10,000 cash, court records show. Sullivan also ordered Todd to relinquish his medical licenses and not practice medicine or have any contact with his alleged victims. Todd’s attorney was not immediately available for comment. 

Dozens of patients began coming forward in 2023 with allegations that Todd, a rheumatologist and primary care physician who also practiced at Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, grilled them with inappropriate questions and gave them medically unnecessary breast, pelvic, testicular, and rectal exams. More than 200 women and several men have sued Todd over the alleged abuse. 

Todd resigned from Brigham in July 2023, after the hospital decided to terminate him following an internal investigation into anonymous complaints. He parted ways with Charles River Medical Associates the same month and later signed a voluntary agreement to stop practicing medicine.  

The rape allegations against Todd

In a Friday court filing, prosecutors alleged Todd pressured one of his patients into a pap smear during an annual physical at Charles River Medical Associates in December 2022. When Todd inserted a speculum into the patient’s vagina, she realized the tool was too wide and screamed, saying she was in pain and begging him to stop. 

But Todd didn’t stop, prosecutors alleged, and instead “continued for approximately 15 minutes, during which time [the patient] asked several more times for him to ‘stop.’” The woman reportedly left her appointment in pain. 

Another patient said Todd repeatedly suggested she undergo pelvic floor therapy, even though she hadn’t reported any symptoms of pelvic floor pain or dysfunction, according to prosecutors. After declining the treatment multiple times, the woman agreed to a “demo” during a rheumatology appointment in 2023, and Todd allegedly inserted his fingers into her vagina.  

“After the demonstration, [Todd] explained ‘it was normal to orgasm’ and also indicated he ‘had no problem doing pelvic floor therapy,’ but that he was not qualified to do so,” prosecutors wrote in the court filing. 

During the woman’s annual physical months later, Todd allegedly offered another demonstration. Prosecutors said the woman declined the offer but did consent to a pap smear, during which Todd allegedly performed the pelvic floor therapy anyway. 

Todd’s former employers ‘deeply distressed’ by alleged abuse

“Nothing is more important to Charles River Medical Associates than the health and safety of the patients who receive care at our practice,” a spokesperson said in a statement. 

“We are deeply troubled and saddened by these disturbing incidents and recognize the courage it took for these patients to come forward,” the spokesperson added. “Over the past year, we have reached out to patients to provide them with an opportunity to report any concerns they have about care they received from Dr. Todd, and we remain committed to keeping these channels of communication open.”

In a statement of its own, Brigham and Women’s said it reported Todd to law enforcement during its investigation into the anonymous complaints and has continued to work closely with authorities. 

“We also reached out to patients who were seen by Dr. Todd and offered extensive support for follow-up medical care, as well as assistance if they wanted to report their experience to law enforcement,” Brigham and Women’s said. “We take our duty to care for our patients and keep them safe extremely seriously.”

The hospital said it is “deeply distressed” to learn of the depth and breadth of Todd’s alleged abuse. 

“We will continue to provide support and respond to our patients’ needs during this challenging time,” Brigham and Women’s said. “We recognize the incredible courage it has taken for all patients who have come forward to ensure that this conduct was exposed.”

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.