Mukwonago doctor surrenders license after state investigation into complaint alleging 'graphic and sexual' notes taken of patients' anatomy

 

MUKWONAGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Mukwonago doctor has permanently surrendered his medical license in Wisconsin, following an investigation launched in December by the state Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS).

According to a Medical Examining Board document, DSPS began looking into a complaint lodged against Dr. Darren Ellenbolt that alleged he had "made handwritten notes detailing female patient encounters" dating back to his residency, "which described the female patients' anatomy in a graphic and sexual manner, including patients under 18 years of age."

The document confirms DSPS did receive copies of the notes. 

While Ellenbolt did not face criminal charges, documents said he agreed to surrender his license in January 2023. 

CBS 58's Ellie Nakamoto-White spoke with a couple who went to Ellenbolt for years. Their daughter is also a former patient.

"He was very nice. I thought he was very quiet. Very understanding, very thorough," said Vicki Tichy. "You just find it hard to believe. You don't expect it. Especially when we had no inkling that there was ever anything but good stuff about him."

The Tichy's added that the allegations show "you probably shouldn't ever trust anybody 100% anymore."

"I'm not saying it's not weird, but he didn't hurt anybody that we know of," said Dennis Tichy. "What happened, I guess was bad, but we really don't know everything behind it. But what we've seen, as we've seen him through the years, was good."

CBS 58 also spoke with another former patient of 13 years via Facebook Messenger, who said the allegations were "highly upsetting" as she works to find out if she was one of the victims.

"I am extremely frustrated on the lack of information being provided. I have reached out to supervisors at the office, media relations, customer relations, and so far no one can provide any additional information," she wrote. 

ProHealth Care, the company for which Ellenbolt worked, provided CBS 58 with this statement:

Dr. Darren Ellenbolt left ProHealth Care last December. We are aware of actions taken by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board. We do not know all of the factors that led to the board’s action, although we understand that some of the factors were unrelated to his ProHealth practice.

CBS 58 has reached out to Ellenbolt's attorney but as of this publication, have not heard back.