Monmouth County Pediatric Surgeon's License Suspended Amid Charges of lllegal Sexual Contact with 17-Year-Old Patient
NEWARK - Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and the Division of Consumer Affairs today announced that the State Board of Medical Examiners (“the Board”) has temporarily suspended the license of a Monmouth County pediatric surgeon charged with illegal sexual contact with a teenage patient in his care. Dr. Saad Saad, 72, who practices at Meridian Pediatric Surgical Associates in Eatontown, is charged with second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for allegedly improperly touching a 17-year-old female patient during an office visit. Saad signed an interim consent order of voluntary surrender to be deemed a temporary suspension pending the disposition of the charges against him and until further order of the Board. "This is sickening misconduct, if true. A doctor who sexually exploits a patient, especially one that is underage, has no place in the medical profession,” said Attorney General Porrino. "Public safety demands that this doctor be removed from practice while these very serious charges are pending against him.” “The doctor patient relationship is sacrosanct and no patient deserves to have that trust violated by sexual misconduct,” said Steve Lee, Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “By obtaining the temporary suspension of Dr.Saad’s license while his prosecution is pending, the Board is fulfilling its duty to protect patients and ensure that the standards of the medical profession are upheld.”
A Monmouth County grand jury indicted Saad on July 10 following an investigation by Eatontown Police that was eventually referred to Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. Following his indictment, Saad was placed on an immediate leave of absence from Meridian Pediatric Surgical Associates. Saad is free pending trial but a judge has ordered he not have contact with anyone under 18. Saad, who is also employed by K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital (“Children’s Hospital”) at Jersey Shore Hospital, voluntarily ceased practicing in the wake of the charges against him, his lawyer represented to the Board. Under the terms of a Consent Order with the Board, Saad shall cease and desist all patient contact pending the disposition of the charges and until further action of the Board. Saad is allowed to be in contact with the Director of Children’s Hospital for the limited purpose of offering administrative guidance to the Directors. This service will be provided via telephone and Saad may not have contact with any patient while offering these services. Saad is prohibited from entering the premises of his medical practices during business hours or at any time when patients may be present. Deputy Attorney General Alan R. Blankstein, of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section in the Division of Law, represented the State in this matter. Robert A. Honecker,Jr., of Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C. represented Saad in this matter. Patients who believe that they have been treated by a licensed health care professional in an inappropriate manner can file an online complaint with the State Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or (973) 504-6200. ### | 