I was quite surprised by the personal attack Mr. Mikkola directed towards me regarding my previous letter. Mr. Mikkola accused me of “pointing fingers” and he is correct. I was pointing fingers at the system that allows patients to wrongly believe their best interests are being protected. I was pointing fingers at the fact that a convicted sex offender has recently been allowed to begin practicing unmonitored and without supervision in Pacific County. I was also “pointing” out that it is quite likely most, if not all, of the offender’s patients have no knowledge of this fact.

I did not write my letter to obtain “personal gain, greed or hurt,” as suggested by Mr. Mikkola. I did not propose that the local community conduct a “Salem Witch Hunt,” nor did I perform any form of “character assassination.” I believe that we have the right to access the information we need to protect ourselves, our families and our community. That is why I provided a means for anyone to thoroughly “check up” and research ANY health provider should they wish to do so at www.doh.wa.cov and click on “provider credential search.” In addition, anyone who does not have Internet access can also obtain information regarding ANY health care professional by telephone at (360) 236-4700 or (800) 525-0127.

Just to clarify why I am so concerned, the individual that I was originally referring to had (their) professional license revoked in 1986, when (they) admitted to “inappropriate sexual conduct, in approximately, the past five years with up to 20 to 30 patients.” In addition, this serial sex offender also admitted to making “physical advances and verbal statements to (four employees) of a sexual nature while they were employed in (the individual’s) practice.”

Despite Mr. Mikkola’s assertions to the contrary, I have considered the ramifications of speaking out. I have also considered the ramifications of not speaking out. So, yes, I will point fingers regardless of what some will think of me, to ensure everyone has the necessary tools to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Dr. Craig Maxwell

Long Beach

P.S.: Mr. Mikkola, in your letter critical of my motives for speaking out, you posed as an impartial third party. Hasn’t your daughter worked for the person in question?