North Bay physician facing assault charges closes practice

A local physician is closing his practice as he faces assault charges from an incident police and hospital officials confirm occurred in late April at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. 

See related: Police charge local physician following alleged assault at local hospital

Dr. Aaron Van Vliet, an orthopedic surgeon, has had a professional practice in North Bay since 2014. His practice was located in the Algonquin Medical Clinic on Algonquin Avenue in North Bay. 

A few of his patients contacted BayToday after being told Dr. Van Vliet was closing his practice. BayToday confirmed that with a call to his office on Wednesday. 

"The message on the voicemail says the office is closed," the receptionist stated.

Van Vleit's receptionist would not comment on the situation any further. 

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario under the "Concerns" category on Dr. Aaron Van Vliet's file states that he was charged with " Assault with a weapon, on or about April 18, 2024, contrary to section 267(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada," and "Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm, on or about April 18, 2024, contrary to section 264.1(1)(a) of the Criminal Code of Canada." 

None of the charges has been proven in court.

To see the entire College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario file, click here. 

Shortly after the charges were made public, the North Bay Regional Health Centre's chief of staff provided a brief statement.

See: NBRHC chief of staff addresses accused doctor, hospital violence

North Bay Regional Health Centre "can confirm that an incident took place at our hospital last Thursday," stated Dr. Scott Kerrigan. "As this is a police matter, we cannot provide additional information.

"What I can tell you is NBRHC has processes and policies in place to help avoid violence in the workplace and to deal appropriately with any incidents that may arise.  Despite our best efforts, incidents do sometimes occur with our patients and staff. 

"In this circumstance, the situation warranted the involvement of our local police. The safety of our hospital community will always be a priority for our Health Centre."

NBRHC confirmed the doctor will not continue to work at the hospital until the resolution of his case. 

On April 18, the North Bay Police Service was contacted after an incident at a local hospital involving a physician who police say assaulted a patient and threatened another person at the hospital.

Officers from the Criminal Investigations Unit concluded their investigation and arrested and charged Van Vliet after he turned himself in at police headquarters on Monday, April 22. 

Meanwhile, the North Bay Regional Hospital posted this on its website.

PSA: IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR SOME SURGICAL PATIENTS AT NBRHC

Dr. Aaron Van Vliet is no longer a practicing physician at the North Bay Regional Health Centre. With this change, comes the need to reschedule some orthopedic patients.

We understand the disruption these changes are having on our patients and their families, and also appreciate the frustration many are feeling.

Please note that patients with referrals that were sent directly to Dr. Van Vliet’s office who have not yet been contacted for an appointment at the North East Joint Assessment Centre (NEJAC) should contact their primary care provider for a new referral.

All other patients will be contacted as follows:

Patients scheduled for surgeries: the Hospital will be contacting these patients to offer a choice of alternate surgeons to perform the surgery;

NEJAC patients: patients already assessed by NEJAC will be contacted by NEJAC staff and offered a choice of alternate surgeons to perform the surgery.

Thank you for your support and patience as we work as quickly as we can to contact all those impacted. Should you require additional information, please contact the office of the Chief Nursing Executive and Vice President, Clinical, Joanne Laplante.

With files from Stu Campaigne and Jeff Turl