License of ex-Carilion doctor suspended for 'disruptive' behavior and comments (2024)

A former pediatrician for Carilion Clinic made sexually inappropriate comments to patients and their parents that were part of an “egregious pattern of disruptive behavior,” medical regulators say.

In suspending the license of Dr. Dalton Renick, the Virginia Board of Medicine stated in an Aug. 22 order that it found “a substantial danger to public health or safety warrants this action.”

From August 2021 through February 2024, Renick regularly “dropped the ‘f-bomb’ in front of patients and their families” and made comments about his desire to have sex with a newborn baby, the order states.

During a January meeting with clinic officials called to discuss his behavior, “Dr. Renick stated that when you love something so much, you just want to f- — it,” according to the order.

Renick was suspended at the end of the meeting. The order states that after an investigation by his employer, he was fired Feb. 8.

The Board of Medicine’s order does not name Carilion, saying only that Renick was employed “as a pediatrician at a Virginia Clinic.” But in a statement released Sunday, Carilion confirmed that Renick was terminated Feb. 8, “at the conclusion of a confidential employment investigation.”

Complaints outlined by the board “are concerning to us, and we take such allegations very seriously,” Carilion said. Apart from confirming Renick’s past employment, the health care system said it was “unable to provide any comments or details regarding this personnel matter.”

“We continue to cooperate with the Board of Medicine as they investigate this matter,” the statement read.

While the board’s six-page summary of allegations does not accuse Renick of physically harming his patients, it includes damaging details from nearly a dozen witnesses — including parents of his patients, co-workers and upper clinic officials.

Among the complaints: Renick compared the syringe feeding of an infant to oral sex in a meeting with its parents; called one patient “stupid;” told another that his head was so big he couldn’t get through a door; commented on a mother’s “amazing boobs” during a discussion about breast feeding; and told the mother of an 18-year-old patient that he needed to “get laid.”

Shortly after Renick, an osteopathic physician, was hired in August 2021, clinic officials became aware of complaints, most of them involving foul language, according to the board’s order. After a discussion with the senior director of Outpatient Pediatrics, the doctor’s behavior improved for a short time before additional complaints were made.

“When spoken to regarding his behavior, Dr. Renick would dismissively state that he was ‘joking,’ ‘people don’t get my sense of humor,’ or that ‘some can handle the way I joke and some can’t,” the order states.

Personnel records obtained by investigators show that during a December 2022 meeting, Renick said “my mouth has gotten me in trouble before.” But his conduct continued “despite repeated warnings,” the order states.

Reached Sunday by The Roanoke Times, Renick declined to comment.

After he left Carilion earlier this year, Renick got a job in Blacksburg with New Beginnings Pediatrics. In a post to its Facebook page, the practice said it first became aware of the allegations last Thursday, the day of his suspension.

“Dr. Renick is no longer employed or has any association with New Beginnings Pediatrics,” the post read. “We have not received any complaints at New Beginnings Pediatrics, but we are taking this seriously and will cooperate with the investigation as needed … We remain committed to providing the best care possible to our families.”

The Board of Medicine will hold additional proceedings in the case. According to its order, a hearing will take place within “a reasonable time” for the board “to receive and act upon evidence in this matter.”