Disciplinary charges have been filed against Belle Plaine physician Robert A. Bischoff, M.D. by the Iowa Board of Medicine. The charges were filed on Sept. 2, 2009 against the physician who has been a member of the staff at the University of Iowa Family Practice Clinic.

Charges are simply allegations and do not assume guilt or innocence.

According to a press release from the board, “…The board charged Dr. Bischoff with engaging in a pattern of sexual misconduct, unprofessional conduct and disruptive behavior. The board alleged that Dr. Bischoff engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a former patient in 2007, and the patient stole his prescription pad and illegally obtained prescription drugs. Dr. Bischoff was reprimanded by his former employer for making inappropriate sexual advances toward a female co-worker in 2006, he was the subject of a number of complaints from female patients who alleged that he engaged in inappropriate touching and unprofessional comments and he viewed and stored pornographic images on a computer at his workplace. The board also alleges that Dr. Bischoff frequently becomes angry and yells at co-workers and other healthcare providers. On June 18, 2009, the board ordered Dr. Bischoff to complete a comprehensive physical, neuropsychological, mental health, sexual misconduct and substance abuse evaluation and he completed the board-approved evaluation on July 29-31, 2009. After careful consideration, the board has serious concerns that Dr. Bischoff has engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct, unprofessional conduct and disruptive behavior. A hearing has been scheduled on October 21, 2009.”

Requests for further information and Bischoff’s current status with the local practice were referred to Tom Moore at the University of Iowa. Moore said the university has had a long-standing practice of not commenting on matters involving employees and pending litigation. When pressed further on what patients of Dr. Bischoff should do and if he is still employed at the local clinic, Moore advised the patients should call the clinic and make appointments as necessary.

A check of the UI Family Care web site lists Bischoff and Michelle Malloy, ARNP, who has been with the practice since 1998 on staff.