Edward “Ward” Gardner, chairman of the Arkansas State Medical Board, leads a meeting on Aug. 7, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)
In a brief meeting Thursday, the Arkansas State Medical Board voted to enact an emergency license suspension and launch an investigation into a Forrest City physician who has been accused of rape and sexual assault.
Members of the medical board did not name the physician during their meeting, but a health department spokesperson confirmed to the Advocate that they were discussing Dr. Sudesh Banaji.
Banaji, 60, has held a medical license in Arkansas since 1999 and practices at Internal Medicine of Forrest City. He also has “hospital privileges” at the Forrest City Medical Center, according to an online biography.
Arkansas State Police arrested Benaji on Aug. 26 on six felony counts of second-degree sexual assault and one felony count of rape. He was held at the Cross County Sheriff’s Office on a $35,000 bond, but he is no longer on the inmate roster.
According to the state medical board website, Thursday’s discussion is the only time Banaji has been a subject before the board.
Thursday’s conversation was minimal and there was no discussion from members outside of making motions for approval.
Edward “Ward” Gardner, who acts as the chairman the medical board but does not participate in the voting process, said he thought the board ought to take action for public safety. He also said, “this is just the start of this. There’s more to come.”
The arrest occurred approximately one year after Arkansas State Police was asked to investigate allegations of inappropriate sexual contact with female patients during exams at Banaji’s clinic in Forrest City, according to a press release from the agency.
Court documents in a lawsuit filed Sept. 6 in St. Francis County Circuit Court detailed the criminal charges against Banaji.
Arkansas State Police interviewed at least four female patients who alleged Banaji had touched them inappropriately during exams within the last two years. All of them stated the physician had conducted breast exams that made them feel uncomfortable.
One patient also described an “extremely painful” vaginal exam that occurred “without her consent,” according to a court document. The patient told state police investigators that the exam included Banaji inserting forceps and leaving them in her body while he exited the room for several minutes.
Investigators also interviewed three people who had worked with Banaji, and they all mentioned concerns about the physician participating in inappropriate behavior with patients. One of the employees, who was unnamed in the court document, said Banaji had inappropriately touched her as well.
The former employee explained two different instances where Banaji gave her a hug and allegedly inappropriately touched her body. After the second instance, the former employee said she alerted a coworker, confronted Banaji and began collecting her belongings to leave.
“At first, Banaji tried to deny the incident, saying that it was just a hug and that she was just sensitive,” according to the court document. “[Redacted] told Banaji that what he had done was inappropriate and not ok. Banaji stated he was sorry, that it wouldn’t happen again, and that he was ashamed and embarrassed.”
The former employee said she has text messages from Banaji asking her to return to work and saying the situation would not happen again.
The state medical board has the authority to grant licenses to medical professionals in Arkansas. Based on the circumstances, the board can also alter those licenses, which can include suspensions and revocations. The board works closely with the Arkansas Medical Foundation and its staff to launch investigations into health care providers when necessary.
In August, the board concluded one investigation on a Little Rock gastroenterologist with a lengthy hearing, which resulted in a license revocation. Of the 17 charges against Dr. Alonzo Williams, the board approved 16. Many of the charges were related to gross negligence or “ignorant malpractice” for the over-utilization of medical procedures. The only allegation of which Williams was not found guilty was sexual harassment.
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