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by Kate Siefert
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Central Ohio plastic surgeon Katharine Grawe appeared before the Ohio State Medical Board on Monday, defending herself against accusations that she failed to appropriately treat some of her patients.
Better known as Dr. Roxy on TikTok and other social media platforms, Grawe had her license suspended in November 2022, and several lawsuits had been filed against her.
WSYX was inside the hearing room Monday as Grawe's attorney and the State Medical Board gave opening statements.
"The board had reason to believe that Dr. Grawe’s practice, with respect to three patients, fell below the standard of care," Assistant Attorney General Melinda Ryan Snyder said. "The board has stated that her continued practice presented immediate danger to the public."
"In 2022, Dr. Grawe live streamed a surgery of a patient, in this case identified as Patient One, who ended up being injured by that procedure," Snyder continued in her opening statement. "The patient was found to have six puncture wounds in the small intestines. She had to have multiple surgeries to repair those injuries."
There are three active lawsuits against Grawe. WSYX spoke to James Arnold, the attorney representing the three women. You can see WSYX's full interview with Arnold here.
Sabrina Sellers, the attorney representing Grawe, also gave her opening remarks Monday.
"We are reminded of what plastic surgery is," Sellers said. "Plastic surgery by nature is an elective procedure. They are not clinically necessary, and they are chosen to be undergone by patients."
Sellers said Grawe's use of social media was her way to inform her patients.
"The optics intended were for it to be educational in nature and to allow her patients to feel comfortable with her prior to coming to her office. She will tell you that although three patients did experience adverse outcomes, that there were known risks and complications of the procedures and they were not caused by a breach in the standard of care.
"The reason she places those videos out into the public, are to relate to her patients. It's to educate, relate and demystify. She has nothing to hide."
The State Medical Board approved WSYX's request to record video and audio during the license suspension hearing, but the board said if a witness requests to not be recorded, all cameras have to be turned off. The hearing examiner said Grawe requested no recording devices be used during her testimony.
Because the hearing was open to the public, WSYX was able to stay inside the hearing room as Grawe testified.
During her testimony, Grawe said she wanted to become a plastic surgeon to help women feel beautiful and empowered. She added that her use of social media was for educational purposes, and that those who watched her perform surgeries on social media came in feeling more prepared for what to expect in surgery.
Grawe called herself the most transparent surgeon that ever existed.
The hearing was open to the public and some of Grawe's former patients were present to listen in to the hearing.
"Just knowing she is a few steps away, I am hoping that it does not bring back a sadness," former patient Mary Jenkins said. "I went through a very traumatic time."
Jenkins, a breast cancer survivor, said she went to Grawe for reconstructive surgery in 2012. Court documents show that Jenkins filed a civil lawsuit in 2014 and said Grawe's attempts to address her post-surgery complications were "negligent and fell well below the accepted standards of medical care."
Jurors decided in favor of Jenkins, and awarded her $358,000 in damages.
WSYX spoke to Jenkins during the first day of Grawe's license suspension hearing.
"I wonder if it is genuine or if it’s because she wants to keep her license," Jenkins said. "We know when we do something wrong. People can say, I was wrong and this is what I am willing to do to correct it. I have yet to hear that."
"Could this finally be coming to an end," Jenkins continued. "When I was going through my experience, I wanted her license. She needed to be held accountable so she wouldn’t be able to do what she did to me to others."
Jenkins said she hoped the board will choose not reinstate Grawe's medical license, but said nothing would repair the pain she had gone through.
"Although I can forgive, I will never forget," Jenkins said. "When I look at myself, I see the scars that you can’t ever take away."
ABC 6 first reported on Grawe in December 2022. She's been in private practice in Ohio since 2010 and operated out of Roxy Plastic Surgery in Powell.
A letter to Grawe from the State Medical Board of Ohio notified her of her suspension effective Nov. 18, 2022.
In part, the letter said: The Secretary and the Supervising Member of the State Medical Board of Ohio have determined that there is clear and convincing evidence that you have violated sections in the Ohio Revised Code and have further determined that your continued practice presents danger of immediate and serious harm to the public.
Her hearing will continue through May 19, as needed at the Rhodes State Office Tower, Room 336. On Tuesday, the hearing examined would hear testimony from the state's expert.
Due to privacy laws, WSYX is not allowed to live stream the hearing.
ABC 6/FOX 28 will update this story as more information becomes available from the hearing.