The College of Registered Nurses of B.C. warns that Gary Dromarsky poses a potential public risk. Photo Credit: Facebook
A Victoria nurse who has been accused of sexually assaulting a 73-year-old patient during a private foot treatment has been barred for at least five years.
The College of Registered Nurses B.C. (CRNBC) said in a news release that it has cancelled the registration of Gary Dromarsky and he has been barred from reapplying for five years. A public warning has also been issued by the CRNBC advising the public not to hire Dromarsky for private-care services.
“CRNBC has taken the additional and extraordinary step of reaching out to the media to ensure the public is informed that Mr. Dromarsky is not legally permitted to practise as a registered nurse in British Columbia and that anyone considering hiring Mr. Dromarsky for private foot care services should exercise great caution,” CRNBC said in a release.
In a consent agreement outlined by the CRNBC, Dromarsky admitted that in September 2017, he acted “out of scope” when he put his hand under his client’s underwear and massaged her buttocks. Dromarsky was at the client’s home for private foot care services.
The CRNBC said Dromarsky admitted that he may have touched her perineum. The client described the touch as being in her vaginal area.
The incident was reported to the CRNBC and police.
The CRNBC said a panel of its InquirtyComittee determined in December that Dromarsky’s conduct “fell at the most serious end of the spectrum of misconduct, with regard to both professional and sexual misconduct…”
Dromarsky also signed an interim undertaking requiring him to cease all private nursing care, remain in the sole employ of his current employer and see female clients only with a chaperone. The CRNBC said soon after the undertaking, Dromarsky provided private foot care to two clients in their homes. breaching the terms.
“Mr. Dromarsky admitted to the two breaches only after the evidence was presented to him by the regulator,” CRNBC said.
In 2009, Dromarsky was also disciplined for two incidents in which acknowledged providing massage services to clients when attending for other treatment purposes. CRNBC said at the time, he said he intended to assist his clients and had missed cues indicating the massages were unwanted.
Dromarsky allowed his nursing registration to lapse on March 1, 2018. He is no longer permitted to practise nursing in B.C. and has agreed not to apply for reinstatement of registration for at least five years. If reinstatement is sought in the future, this matter would be considered by CRNBC in relation to whether the requirement for good character was met.
CRNBC is also working with Island Health, Victoria police and the Ministry of Health to ensure Dromarsky’s alleged conduct is public knowledge. The college also said it is satisfied the actions taken will protect the public.
At this time, Dromarsky has not been criminally charged in any of the cases investigated by the CRNBC.
Victoria police spokesman Const. Matt Rutherford said in a statement they”can’t confirm or deny the existence of potential on-going investigations.”
“To do so could violate an individual’s privacy rights, as well as negatively impact an investigative process in the event that one were in place,” Rutherford said.
“We’re only able to comment in such circumstances where doing so is in the public interest – aiding in identifying witnesses, gathering evidence, or notifying the public of potential risk. In the event an arrest is made and charges sworn, or warrant issued, we would release more information about an ongoing investigation.”
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