HOUSTON — Dr. Mary Talley Bowden, who is getting national attention after resigning from Houston Methodist, defended her actions Wednesday during a press conference.
The hospital suspended Bowden after they learned she planned to only treat unvaccinated patients at her private practice.
Methodist CEO Marc Boom said she was also spreading 'dangerous' misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.
"Her claim that Houston Methodist will not treat unvaccinated patients is absolutely false. Houston Methodist cares for all patients and considers every individual a person of sacred worth and value."
He also cited the ear, nose and throat doctor’s use of “vulgar and foul language while expressing her opinions” as another reason.
Neither Bowden or her lawyer would say whether they’re considering suing Houston Methodist.
Bowden said she believes Houston Methodist is trying to make an example out of her.
"If they are so confident in their position, let’s see it all," Bowden said. "Let’s see complications, complaints. Let’s see breakthrough cases. Let’s see all their data.”
To clarify, Bowden said she was trying to make a point and would never turn away a patient in need of emergency medical care, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated.
In response, Boom told us, in part, quote:
“As a physician, I am personally offended by her behavior and by her misleading comments about COVID-19 and our hospital system.”
He also told us hospital leadership invited Dr. Bowden to speak with them, but she resigned before they completed their investigation.
Full statement from Houston Methodist CEO Dr. Marc Boom:
“Houston Methodist Hospital's medical staff leadership decided to suspend and investigate Dr. Bowden for her inappropriate behavior, including spreading misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. As a physician, I am personally offended by her behavior and by her misleading comments about COVID-19 and our hospital system, which has treated more than 25,000 inpatients with COVID-19—vaccinated and unvaccinated. Her claim that Houston Methodist will not treat unvaccinated patients is absolutely false. Houston Methodist cares for all patients and considers every individual a person of sacred worth and value."
“She was also suspended for using vulgar and foul language while expressing her opinions. This inappropriate and disrespectful language violates our core values at Houston Methodist, and reflects poorly on Houston Methodist, our physicians and the medical profession as a whole. When Dr. Bowden refused to remove these inaccurate and misleading statements from her social media accounts, the medical staff leadership decided to suspend her while they conducted an investigation, and invited her to speak with them. Instead of doing that, Dr. Bowden voluntarily resigned from the medical staff before a review was completed.”