North Carolina gynecologist faces sexual assault lawsuit

• A Gaston County gynecologist is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a patient during an exam in June 2023.
• The lawsuit claims Dr. Sean Michael Lynch inappropriately touched the patient after sending a nurse out of the room.
• Lynch was previously reprimanded by the North Carolina Medical Board for sharing explicit photos of patients.
• CaroMont Health confirmed Lynch has not been employed with the organization since late 2023.

A North Carolina gynecologist who came under fire two years ago for sharing explicit photos of patients without their consent, has been accused in a lawsuit of sexually assaulting a patient during an exam.

The lawsuit, filed May 5 in Gaston County by a patient identified only as "Jane Doe," alleges that Dr. Sean Michael Lynch, who previously worked for CaroMont Women's Health, assaulted the patient during an exam on June 30, 2023. Specifically, the lawsuit states that Lynch performed a pelvic exam, then sent the female nurse out of the room with the sample he swabbed. After the nurse was gone, the lawsuit states, Lynch touched the patient's vagina, inserting his fingers inside and keeping them there for more than five minutes. Lynch did not explain the purpose of this examination and became "short" with the patient when she questioned his intentions, the lawsuit states.

During a conversation in Lynch's office afterward, the patient had what she described as a panic attack, the lawsuit states. Lynch ordered a sonogram of the patient's right ovary, and when the patient was scheduled for a follow-up visit to discuss the results, she asked for a different doctor, the lawsuit states. The clinic staff refused to allow her to see another doctor, the lawsuit states. During that visit, which took place in August 2023, the patient experienced another panic attack, according to the lawsuit.

The patient was scheduled for another visit in November 2023, and she asked for a female doctor and was again refused, according to the lawsuit.

During that appointment, Lynch complimented her appearance several times, the lawsuit states.

The patient was scheduled again for an appointment in January 2024, but when she called the clinic to ask about that appointment, she was informed that Lynch no longer worked for the clinic, the lawsuit states.

Lynch was the subject of two complaints in December 2023 within three days of each other, according to a consent order released by the North Carolina Medical Board. Lynch was later reprimanded by the Medical Board for sharing graphic photos of patients with patrons at a bar he frequented. The photos were on Lynch's cell phone, and some showed unconscious patients on an operating table, according to the order.

While Lynch was reprimanded, a suspension to his medical license was stayed under the following terms:

• Allow himself to be professionally monitored by the North Carolina Professional Health Program
• Complete a 16-hour continuing medical education course
• Follow all laws that govern the practice of medicine
• Meet with the Medical Board for an investigative interview
• Provide evidence that he was complying with the Medical Board's terms

According to the North Carolina Medical Board, Lynch's North Carolina medical license was still active May 6. The Medical Board's website indicates that Lynch is based in Belmont.

Lynch could not be reached for comment.

CaroMont Health is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. CaroMont said in a statement in 2024 that Lynch has not worked for the organization since late 2023. In an email May 6, the organization declined to comment further.