SPRINGFIELD — A Baystate Health neurologist was put on administrative leave in late 2023 after state regulators determined he had been seen masturbating in his office by fellow employees, according to newly unredacted files from the Board of Registration in Medicine.
Between 10 and 20 employees witnessed Dr. Robert A. Martin masturbating on the afternoon of Nov. 21, 2023, which led to him being placed on leave and later signing off on a five-year probation period as part of a consent order that allowed him to continue practicing medicine.
“The respondent [Martin] lacked good moral character and engaged in conduct that undermines the public confidence in the integrity of the medical profession,” the Board concluded as part of an October 2024 consent order signed by the board and Martin.
Martin also was required to comply with a behavioral health monitoring contract, have a workplace monitor and seek ongoing treatment.
Probations for medical licenses do not completely bar practicing medicine, but place the offender under the supervision of the board. Martin returned to work at Baystate after the consent order had been signed, according to his lawyer Paul Cirel, a Boston-based attorney.
Newly released details, first reported by the Boston Globe, describe how on the morning and early afternoon of Nov. 21, 2023, Martin saw six patients from 8 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Martin then headed to his administrative office, which was locked from inside, where he remained until approximately 5 p.m.
He was spotted by approximately 10-20 employees sometime between 4 to 5 p.m. through windows facing the D’Amour Center for Cancer Care, according to state filings.
“Staff were upset by the Respondent’s actions,” the consent order states. “Staff reported what they observed to security and to administration, which commenced an immediate investigation.”
Martin was “fully cooperative” and “admitted his conduct,” according to the consent order.
In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Cirel said that the display Martin’s colleagues witnessed was not intentional, but, “simply a very unfortunate lapse in judgment.”
“At the time of this incident, Dr. Martin was alone in his locked administrative office. He was standing behind his worktable, across the room from the window,” Cirel said. “He was unaware that he was — or that he could be — seen. This was not an act of exhibitionism; it was simply a very unfortunate lapse in judgement.”
Cirel noted that Martin’s cooperation during the investigation represents his “good faith.” He also noted that Martin voluntarily contacted the Physician Health Services Program (PHS) for a comprehensive evaluation, which concluded that Martin was fit to return to practicing medicine.
“The Board of Registration in Medicine — and Baystate Health — had completed their investigations and reached the same conclusion as PHS,” said Cirel. “Accordingly, Dr. Martin resumed his practice in the fall of 2024 and has practiced without incident or blemish ever since.”
At the time of the incident, Martin had been working as a Medical Board certified neurologist for just over a year at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, which is part of the state’s largest health care system. Baystate Health did not respond for comment.
Martin graduated from the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 2017 before receiving his license in 2021.