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Published on 03/02/1998 All articles from this issue

Hospital board in support of troubled member O'Connor

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By Carol Tiegs / Town Crier Staff Writer

Mark O'Connor's efforts as a member of the El Camino Hospital District Board of Trustees have impressed his fellow board members, who are providing him solid support following his sentencing last December on six misdemeanor counts.

O'Connor was sentenced in the Municipal Court, Santa Clara County, Sunnyvale Facility, on four counts of vandalism, one count of petty theft and one count of unauthorized entry. The incidents, which took place between Jan. 29 and March 15, 1997, involved Robert Stebbins, a former oncologist sentenced last December for having sexual relations with one of his patients.

District board president Dr. Paul Hoar said O'Connor's actions need to be considered "in light of the context in which they were placed."

"In early 1997, I learned that my wife had suffered severe sexual and physical abuse at the hands of a 'trusted' medical professional from whom she was receiving treatment for breast cancer," O'Connor said in a January letter to the Town Crier. "At one point during this period of immense personal stress, I acted improperly against this continuing threat to my family. Eventually, my wife, along with two other victims, came forward and were able to notify proper authorities.

"My conduct in response to this unfortunate situation was inappropriate and I am deeply sorry for any embarrassment this may have caused to the communities I serve," O'Connor said.

Stebbins was sentenced last December to a suspended six-month jail term, three-year probation and 240 hours of community service. In May, he was asked to resign his practice at Stanford Medical Center. Rather than undergo State Medical Board hearings, he gave up his medical license last September.

District board member Dr. Dominick Curatola said O'Connor had offered to resign from the board if fellow board members felt that was necessary.

Hoar said all charges against O'Connor were misdemeanors. "He has committed no act that requires removal from the board," Hoar said. "His behavior as a board member has been absolutely great. He represents the community very well."

"I don't personally feel Mark's actions affect his ability to perform on the board," said board member Dr. Edward Bough.

"I have absolutely no hesitation or qualms about (O'Connor) continuing to serve on the board," Curatola said.

The fifth board member, Dianna Adair, could not be reached for comment.

Deborah Peck, executive assistant to the hospital's chief executive officer, said the district's bylaws require unanimous consent of all other board members in order to remove an individual from the elected board. The bylaws do not outline specific causes for removal of a board member from office, she said.

O'Connor, who also serves as board treasurer, is completing his first four-year term on the board this year.

O'Connor's sentence included two years on probation, 30 days on a monitor program and 100 hours of volunteer work. He was also ordered to participate in an anger management program and make restitution to Stebbins for damages to his auto and home.