State Suspends Practice License of Tuscaloosa Abortion Provider

A doctor providing abortion procedures at Tuscaloosa's West Alabama Women's Center has had her license to practice medicine suspended by the Alabama State Board of Medical Examiners over inaccuracies on her license application and alleged unprofessional conduct.

In a decision filed late last month, the Board suspended the license of Leah Torres, M.D., who has been practicing at the WAWC since early August.

The order demands that Torres cease and desist from the practice of medicine until her case is heard and a decision is rendered later this year.

An attached letter from the board's attorney outlined the decision and accused Torres of committing fraud on her application for a certificate of qualification to practice medicine in Alabama.

According to the letter, an investigation found that Torres has previously had her staff privileges at a hospital or medical facility revoked, that she has been a party in a settled medical malpractice lawsuit and that she said she was working as a physician at a time she was allegedly unemployed.

Torres is accused of lying about all of the above in her application with the state.

The letter also alleges "unprofessional conduct," stating that Torres  "made public statements related to the practice of medicine which violate the high standards of honesty, diligence, prudence, and ethical integrity demanded from physicians licensed to practice in Alabama and which evidence conduct which is immoral and which is willful, shameful, and which shows a moral indifference to the standards and opinions of the community."

Torres has until September 21st to appeal the suspension, and a hearing on the matter has been set for December 21st.

The WAWC came under fire last month when area police confirmed that a woman died shortly after receiving care at the clinic in May, although an investigation of the case did not lead to any criminal charges.

For more information as it becomes available, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.