Image sources: The boarded-up Central Penn Women’s Health office in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, © Google, via Google Maps. The practice was once operated by Dr. Fred Teichman, who is now retired, photo courtesy of The Standard-Journal,
A 2012 civil lawsuit and hospital suspension revealed reports of alleged sexual misconduct, but no state medical board action was taken against Dr. Fred Teichman.
For decades, Dr. Fred Teichman was a well-known obstetrician and gynecologist in Pennsylvania, where he owned and operated Central Penn Women’s Health.
Dr. Teichman held hospital privileges at Evangelical Community Hospital in nearby Lewisburg and was also affiliated with Geisinger Medical Center.
Despite multiple reports of inappropriate behavior, a civil lawsuit alleging sexual misconduct, and a hospital investigation that revoked his privileges, Dr. Fred Teichman continued practicing privately for more than a decade.
He was never disciplined by the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, and his medical license remained active until it expired on December 31, 2024.
In his wake, Teichman has left multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and professional-boundary violations.
Teichman’s Hospital Suspension
The following findings are detailed in court documents available on Justia.com.
In June, 2012, Evangelical Community Hospital suspended Dr. Teichman’s clinical privileges (which had been unrestricted for more than 30 years) following a post-partum emergency in which a patient nearly bled to death.
Evangelical Community Hospital cited that event and a pattern of “prior and ongoing issues”, including, Teichman “viewing pornographic material on his office computer in 2006…touching inappropriately a nurse midwife in the operating room…[and] touching inappropriately and making inappropriate sexual comments to a physician’s assistant student.”
He was also accused of “failing to communicate during surgery” and “prescrib[ing] the medication Cytotec, an abortifacient, on an outpatient basis to a pregnant patient who allegedly did not have access to a car or a telephone.”
During one surgery, Dr. Teichman allegedly “wiped sweat from the top of [the] nurse’s breast.”
In another instance, Teichman allegedly “engaged in a discussion about sexually transmitted diseases with [a female physician’s assistant] student using inappropriate vulgar language. Several hospital staff overheard this and reported that [his] language and conduct offended them. Subsequently, [he] sat close to the same student on a gurney in the hallway while engaging her in conversation. The appropriateness of this conduct was also called into question.
There was also evidence that, in 2006, while [Teichman] was in practice with several other physicians, [he] viewed pornographic material and adult websites on his office computer.”
He was then required to take a course and “obtain an evaluation regarding boundaries and the reason for his conduct.”
The hospital offered to reinstate Dr. Teichman’s privileges only if he provided a proctor, likely another OB-GYN, to monitor his patient care.
He refused the condition, appealed internally, and ultimately lost.
Afterward, he sued the hospital, claiming the suspension was unjust, but the Pennsylvania Superior Court ultimately ruled in the hospital’s favor, finding that Evangelical acted reasonably and in accordance with the Health Care Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA), which protects hospitals that take good-faith actions to safeguard patients.
No State Discipline or License Restrictions
Although Dr. Teichman did face a suspension of his hospital privileges, this applied only to Evangelical Community Hospital.
The Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine lists no disciplinary actions against him, even after the hospital’s investigation.
Because no state discipline was ever imposed, Dr. Teichman remained free to practice privately for more than a decade after losing his hospital privileges.
No criminal charges or records have been found in connection with the allegations of sexual misconduct.
2012 Lawsuit Filed by Nurse-Midwife
In July 2012, just weeks after Evangelical Community Hospital suspended his privileges, Kay E. Zlockie, a licensed nurse practitioner and midwife, and her husband, Raymond Zlockie, filed a civil lawsuit in the Union County Court against Dr. Fred Teichman, Central Penn Women’s Health Care, and Karen Teichman, the practice’s corporate secretary.
According to the complaint, Zlockie alleged that she suffered “‘physical, mental and emotional’ damages, claiming that he groped her breasts in front of several nurses during a surgical procedure in which she was assisting him.” (The Daily Item)
The lawsuit claimed that during a surgical procedure at Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania, Dr. Teichman touched nurse-midwife Kay Zlockie inappropriately by wiping sweat from her breasts through her clothing, saying it was necessary to “maintain the surgical field,” according to the complaint. The incident was allegedly witnessed by “at least three nurses,” one of whom later told Zlockie she “could not believe what she had just observed.” (The Daily Item)
The suit also alleged that Dr. Teichman had been fired from Evangelical Community Hospital on June 19, 2012, citing “habitual use of inappropriate sexual and deviant language in the operating room and concern for sexual encounters and/or assaults and batteries of patients and/or non-patients.” (The Daily Item)
Evangelical clarified that Dr. Teichman was an independent physician and was therefore not terminated.
The ultimate outcome of Zlockie’s lawsuit is unknown.
Retirement and License Status
After decades in private practice, Dr. Teichman announced his retirement in late 2024 on Central Penn Women’s Health’s Facebook page:
“The time has come. Dr. Teichman has made the difficult decision to retire from practice. Our office will remain open until November 21st. Please contact us to schedule your final appointment. We can help you continue your care with a list of area providers.”
The practice is now listed as “Permanently Closed” on Google Business, and Dr. Teichman’s Pennsylvania medical license expired on December 31, 2024, following his retirement.
Legal Options for Survivors
Civil lawsuits allow survivors of sexual abuse by medical professionals to pursue justice, recover damages, and hold those responsible accountable.
Even after a doctor retires or a medical license expires, legal action may still be possible.
A physician can be held personally liable for abuse that occurred during their career, and hospitals, clinics, and employers may also be accountable if they ignored warning signs, failed to supervise, or placed patients at risk.
Andreozzi + Foote Investigating Allegations Involving Former OB-GYN Dr. Fred Teichman
Andreozzi + Foote is currently investigating reports of sexual abuse by former OB-GYN Dr. Fred Teichman.
If you or someone you know was harmed by Dr. Teichman, you may still have legal options, even if he has since retired. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights in a safe, confidential setting.
You don’t have to face this alone. Your voice deserves to be heard.
All consultations are free and completely confidential.
Contact us today.
