CHESTERTOWN — A Chestertown pediatrician has surrendered his license to practice in Maryland ahead of a civil case filed Tuesday morning in Kent County Circuit Court.
Julio Ramirez, formerly head of his private practice at 6602 Church Hill Road in Chestertown, is being sued by a Kent County woman. The woman, who is not named in court filings, is seeking relief from the court for physical, psychological and emotional injuries she said she incurred while seeking treatment for her child in his office in 2023.
According to court documents, the woman was touched inappropriately and in a sexual manner while in the treatment room with Ramirez and her daughter. Following the encounter, which she said she tried to rebuff, the woman notified office staff and subsequently filed a report with the Chestertown Police Department.
In September 2023, the woman made a formal complaint to the Maryland State Board of Physicians.
Through the course of the board’s investigation, four former employees “all testified to a pervasive environment of sexually abusive, unethical, and inappropriate behavior,” according to the investigation report.
The investigation revealed Ramirez, on multiple occasions, sexually assaulted at least three female employees of his over the course of several years. The investigation further revealed that he sexually assaulted at least one other mother while in the course of treating her child.
Following the board’s initial inquiry into the allegations in April, the board ordered a summary suspension of Ramirez’s license, concluding “the public health, safety or welfare imperatively required emergency action in this case.”
As a result of the board's investigation, Ramirez permanently surrendered his license to practice medicine, according to a letter Ramirez sent to the board.
As listed by the Maryland Board of Physicians, Ramirez, 65, graduated from Universidad de El Salvador Facultad de Medicina in 1988. He was first licensed in Maryland in 1998.
Ramirez opened his first office in Chestertown in 1999. According to information on his practice’s website, he opened a second office in Centreville in 2004 to “better serve the Queen Anne's and neighboring communities.” In February of 2015, he moved this office to the Shore Medical Pavilion in Queenstown. Hospital affiliations include the Anne Arundel Medical Center and Chester River Hospital Center.
The woman, named Jane Doe in the court filings, is represented by Schlachman, Belsky, Weiner & Davey of Baltimore. The complaint was filed by Michael J. Belsky and Catherine A. Dickinson.
In a statement released to the press, the law firm attorneys state Ramirez grabbed their client’s breasts, vagina and buttocks in the course of examining her daughter. The attorneys state it is likely there are other victims.
“As alleged in the Complaint, Dr. Ramirez was a serial abuser of women. Our office is actively investigating these instances of abuse, especially against mothers who were assaulted while the doctor was treating their children. It goes without saying that this behavior is not acceptable, and we intend to hold the doctor accountable for his actions. We encourage anyone with information on these allegations to reach out to us,” Belsky and Dickinson said in an interview with the Kent County News.
Ramirez’s office is not taking phone calls. A message on his website states, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my office has closed permanently. Due to unforeseen circumstances, and after careful deliberation, I have decided to retire and close my practice. I assure you that this decision was not made lightly, and I am deeply saddened that I will no longer be able to serve you and our community as a pediatrician.”
He continues, “I would like to thank you for your time and the trust you have given me during our many years of operation in Chestertown. Taking care of your family was an honor and a privilege for me and my staff. My years here have been filled with countless rewarding experiences and the most remarkable patients. These shared moments will be remembered fondly, and will always be with me.”
Contacted Tuesday morning, Kent County State's Attorney Brian DiGregroy was not able to immediately respond to inquires regarding any criminal charges.
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