A federal lawsuit filed November 4th alleges that Bryan Sack, a former pediatric urology chief at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Toledo, photographed patients’ genitals during medical exams and procedures. Sack was arrested in February on child sexual abuse material charges, and the hospital says he was terminated following the arrest. The suit, brought on behalf of 13 children and their families, claims his Dropbox contained more than 27,000 files of children, including approximately 1,200 alleged child sexual abuse material files and close-up images of children’s genitals allegedly taken with his cellphone during exams.
The defendants named in the filing include Sack, Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Toledo, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center. The families are seeking financial compensation, notification of all patients Sack treated, an image audit, and paid counseling for affected families. The hospitals have not yet had the claims tested in court, and the allegations remain just that: allegations, until proven. Still, the case raises urgent questions about exam room oversight, patient privacy, and how institutions respond when a trusted doctor is accused.
For families on the Suncoast, the practical takeaway is to never feel shy about asking questions at a specialist’s office. Ask who will be present during an exam, ask how a practice handles phones and imaging, and ask who reviews those policies. Trustworthy care teams welcome that conversation.
What questions do you think every parent should be able to ask before a medical exam? Let us know in the comments.
