Image source: Dr. David J. Wenzke during his State Medical Board hearing in Ohio on June 23, 2025, courtesy of 10 TV.
Hearing Now Underway
As of June 23, 2025, Dr. David J. Wenzke is the subject of a disciplinary hearing before the State Medical Board of Ohio, which will determine whether his medical license should be revoked. The board is reviewing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct involving patients and a coworker, spanning from 2011 to 2023.
Ohio Gastro
Wenzke began working at Ohio Gastroenterology Group, Inc. (Ohio Gastro) in Columbus in 2008. According to the State Medical Board of Ohio, in March 2011, staff at the practice reported that Wenzke had touched a female patient’s private area without wearing gloves. The State Medical Board noted that “An internal investigation was conducted and completed without formal disciplinary action.”
In 2012, he allegedly touched a patient’s breasts during a colonoscopy as she was being sedated, conduct the board described as “done without the purpose of an appropriate health care service.” Later, Wenzke inserted his fingers into the patient while pressing on her stomach. In 2017, Wenzke allegedly changed the gown of a sedated teenage patient by himself and engaged in conduct outside standard medical practice with female patients. His clinical privileges were revoked in June 2017 and Ohio Gastro reported his conduct to the medical board. In November of 2017, “[Ohio Gastro] received a letter saying that the medical board was closing their complaint because there was ‘insufficient evidence to justify further action.’” (10TV)
He was not formally terminated from Ohio Gastro until 2019.
Gastro Health
Wenzke was hired by Ohio Gastroenterology & Liver Institute (Gastro Health) in Cincinnati in 2020. The practice has claimed that “despite several background and reference checks, Gastro Health was not made aware of any previous allegations upon hiring” (10TV). However, that claim appears to contradict the fact that Wenzke had been fired from his previous job after an internal investigation.
The most recent allegations from 2020 to 2023 stem from Wenzke’s time at Gastro Health. Allegations include lifting the gown of a patient waking from sedation to look at her breasts, and kissing a heavily intoxicated coworker—who was also a patient—after buying her drinks and following her to her car. Her husband later found her unresponsive with Wenzke in the car.
According to the State Medical Board of Ohio, Wenzke was the subject of an internal investigation at Gastro Health between March and May 2023 regarding sexual interaction with a patient. Gastro Health terminated his employment at the beginning of 2025.
“Based on the recommendations that come out of this hearing, the medical board will decide on the fate of Dr. Wenzke’s medical license at a meeting later this year.” (10TV)
Wenzke has denied the allegations.
Can I File A Lawsuit?
If you were a victim of Dr. David J. Wenzke, you may have grounds to file a civil lawsuit. The medical groups that employed him may also be held liable if they failed to properly supervise, investigate, or protect patients from abuse.
Andreozzi + Foote is a leading national sexual abuse law firm. Our trauma-informed attorneys have extensive experience advocating for victims of sexual abuse and exploitation in hospitals, doctors’ offices, and other health care facilities.
If you were a patient of Dr. Wenzke and experienced sexual abuse, contact us for a free, confidential consultation to learn more about your legal options.
