Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. UVU medical worker scandal
2. After-hours pelvic exam controversy UVU
The former nurse practitioner at Utah Valley University, Derrick Pickering, faced accusations of inappropriate behavior from multiple patients during his tenure. Despite two reports to campus police, Pickering was not disciplined by the university and was allowed to resign after performing a pelvic exam without a medical assistant present. Subsequent accusations at a cosmetic clinic further highlight the lack of oversight and reporting by university officials. Pickering’s attorney maintains his innocence, stating that he has never sexually touched a patient. The ongoing investigation by Draper police sheds light on the disturbing allegations against Pickering and the need for proper oversight in healthcare settings. In a series of reports to the police, multiple women have come forward with allegations against nurse practitioner Derrick Pickering. One woman, identified as C.C., claimed Pickering insisted on conducting unnecessary breast and vaginal exams before signing off on her missionary paperwork. Another woman reported that Pickering inappropriately touched her during a cosmetic procedure at Belle Medical. Despite these allegations, Pickering’s attorney maintains his client’s innocence, stating that he followed appropriate medical standards. The women’s accounts have sparked investigations and lawsuits, with Pickering also filing a defamation countersuit against one of the accusers. The case continues to unfold amid conflicting accounts and legal battles. In a countersuit, he accused her of filing a “false police report” and defaming him in comments to DOPL and an interview with a Tribune reporter. Pickering’s attorney claimed that her statements have harmed his personal and professional reputation, leading to a loss of patients. Seeking compensatory and punitive damages, Pickering also requested an injunction to prevent her from publicly discussing the sexual assault allegations against him. Rasmussen’s attorney, Adam Sorenson, criticized the countersuit, stating that it creates a chilling effect for sexual assault survivors to come forward. He emphasized the complexity of trauma and the difficulty survivors face when speaking out against those they once trusted.
She reported the incident to the UVU police two days later, the affidavit said, but the detective wrote that the officer who took her report “did not take a report of the incident.” Instead, J.Y. said she was told to go to the Women’s Clinic in Provo and get a pelvic exam by a nurse practitioner.
J.Y. told the detective she felt “ashamed” and “scared” during the exam with Pickering, the warrant said. She said she didn’t understand why he had touched her in that way, and felt he had taken advantage of her because she couldn’t understand what he was saying.
J.Y. told police she went to the Women’s Clinic, where she said a nurse practitioner examined her and asked if she’d been sexually assaulted. She told the detective she then went to the police station to report the incident again.
The affidavit says J.Y. told the detective she didn’t want to go back to the student clinic, and that she had also reported the incident to the student conduct office. She said she didn’t hear anything back from the university about her complaint.
The detective wrote that she interviewed Pickering in December 2015, and he said he had never touched J.Y.’s genital area. He said he had performed a physical exam, but “did not recall” touching her pubic area. He said he had asked her to remove her pants so he could check for tenderness, the affidavit said.
The detective wrote that Pickering said he had asked J.Y. to remove her pants and underwear, and that he had examined her abdomen and pelvic area. He said that he had performed a pelvic exam, but that he had not touched her genital area.
“I asked Derrick why he did not wear gloves during the exam and he said he didn’t wear gloves because she wasn’t getting a pelvic exam,” the detective wrote in the affidavit. “I asked him why he didn’t have a chaperone in the room and he said he didn’t because he didn’t think he needed one.”
The detective wrote that the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing had no record of complaints against Pickering at the time of the interview.
Subsequent allegations
The affidavit also detailed three other women who reported inappropriate conduct by Pickering while he worked at UVU and later at Belle Medical.
One woman, identified as C.H., told police in December 2021 that she had an appointment with Pickering at Belle Medical in Draper to get Botox injections. She said Pickering told her to remove her shirt and bra, then told her to lie down on a table.
C.H. said Pickering then “began massaging her breasts and nipples,” the affidavit said. She said Pickering then put his hand down her pants and digitally penetrated her.
C.H. told police she was “shocked and scared” during the appointment, and that she didn’t know what to do because she was alone in the room with Pickering. She said she felt “violated” and “disgusted,” and that she wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible.
Another woman, identified as J.B., told police in January 2022 that she went to Belle Medical for Botox injections. She said Pickering told her to remove her shirt and bra, then touched her breasts and nipples before putting his hand down her pants and digitally penetrating her.
J.B. said she was “shocked and scared” during the appointment, and that she didn’t know what to do because she was alone in the room with Pickering. She said she felt “violated” and “disgusted,” and that she wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible.
A third woman, identified as A.S., reported a similar experience with Pickering at Belle Medical in January 2022. She said Pickering told her to remove her shirt and bra, then touched her breasts and nipples before putting his hand down her pants and digitally penetrating her.
A.S. said she was “shocked and scared” during the appointment, and that she didn’t know what to do because she was alone in the room with Pickering. She said she felt “violated” and “disgusted,” and that she wanted to get out of the room as quickly as possible.
Ongoing investigation
The Draper Police Department is currently investigating the allegations against Pickering, with the assistance of the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The investigation is ongoing, and no charges have been filed at this time.
Meanwhile, Pickering continues to deny any wrongdoing, with his attorney maintaining his innocence. The women who have come forward with allegations against Pickering are seeking justice and closure, hoping that their voices will be heard and that appropriate action will be taken against him.
As the investigation unfolds, the community is left to grapple with the disturbing allegations against a former nurse practitioner who was once entrusted with the care of vulnerable patients. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough background checks and proper oversight in healthcare settings, to ensure the safety and well-being of all patients.