A Burnsville chiropractor who accepted gifts from one patient and was sexually explicit with another, was suspended last month, according an order by the Minnesota Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
Angela Marie Gear's suspension was put on hold, provided she comply with certain conditions.
Gear accepted clothing, child care and home maintenance services from a long-term patient. She also accepted $3,000 to buy a vehicle. Gear said the money was a loan that she has been paying back, the order stated. The patient's psychologist and psychiatrist both recommended the patient stop seeing Gear because their relationship had become "inappropriately close."
The patient stopped seeing Gear, but Gear documented that she terminated care because the patient didn't follow her recommendations.
Gear and another patient "exchanged sensitive and personal information" in person and electronically. Some of the information was sexually explicit, the order said. Gear had sex with the patient less than two years after ending treatment.
She must enroll in and pass an ethics class and then pass an exam in ethics and boundaries. She is also required to be evaluated for chemical dependency.
Gear must have a third person present when treating any patient or, when treating patients at her Burnsville location, she must leave the treatment-room door open.
The board fined her $3,000 and restricted her social contact with current and former patients.
