Board revokes license of Pittsfield doctor

The state Board of Registration in Medicine has revoked the license of a Western Massachusetts doctor for improper behavior with two patients and three co-workers, the disciplinary agency said today.

Dr. Edouard A. Tavernier inappropriately touched two female patients, two nurses, and one other employee at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, according to the board's decision and other documents.

The board noted that Tavernier continued his improper behavior even after being warned that he should have a chaperone present during physical examinations of female patients. He was also told he would lose his job if there were any additional complaints.

In one instance, he touched the employee in the presence of her mother. In another example, he touched one of the nurses in a hallway while she was talking to other people. He touched the other nurse while she was in an area of the emergency department "full of people," the board's decision said.

An administrative magistrate "concluded not only that the respondent [Tavernier] engaged in conduct undermining the public confidence in the integrity of the profession, but also concluded that the respondent engaged in conduct calling into question the respondent's competence to practice medicine," the decision said.