The magazine has to apologize after including gynecologist David Broadbent in its “Best Of” issue (even though he was accused of sexually harassing over 100 women)

• Dr. David Broadbent was accused of sexually abusing over 120 women
• Utah Valley Magazine has included his practice in the Best-Of issue

A Utah magazine had to apologize after mentioning a gynecologist in its “Best Of” issue who was accused of sexually abusing over 100 women.

Dr. David Broadbent was featured in the latest issue of Utah Valley Magazine, which also featured readers’ favorites from the region.

The magazine had asked readers to vote for their favorites in numerous categories.

The obstetrician and gynecologist, who had been accused by over 120 women of sexual abuse during medical examinations, won the fertility category.

He is accused of mistreating and beating women during the examination and of abusing them for sexual gratification, in some cases even moaning.

More than 120 women have come forward to accuse him of misconduct, 94 of whom joined in a lawsuit against Broadbent and two of the hospitals where he worked.

Stephanie Mateer, one of those who sued Broadbent, told the Salt Lake Tribune that she couldn’t sleep and could barely concentrate after seeing him on the list.

The list had reopened old wounds and forced her to remember how someone who knew Broadbent had called her and called her a liar.

Speaking to the outlet earlier this week, Mateer said, “There is no situation where this is not painful.”

Mateer described to the outlet what happened to her last year: “He made me put on a nightgown, reached under the nightgown and did a breast exam.”

“It wasn’t like a flat palm, it was a greedy feeling. Then, without warning, he performed a vaginal examination.

“I was even more shocked when he did a rectal exam without warning. It was super painful and really aggressive. When he was done, he said, ‘Your husband is a lucky man.'”

Mateer also said the magazine’s decision to include him on the list was a sign that Utah licensing authorities had not revoked his license despite the allegations.

Broadbent was allowed to enter into a “non-disciplinary” agreement under which he voluntarily agreed not to treat any more patients for the time being.

She added: “The fact that Utah did not revoke his license after hundreds of women accused him of sexual assault is appalling.”

Brooke Heath, another plaintiff in the same case, told the newspaper this week that mentioning his name was a “slap in the face.”

Heath added that she appreciated how quickly the publication responded to the issue.

She said: “I’m really impressed by the strong women we have in our case. They are brave enough to express their concerns, even after all the times we have been shut down. They say: enough is enough.”

Heath claimed Broadbent groped her, telling KJZZ, “He continues to grope me in a manner that is definitely not consistent with a normal breast exam.”

A judge ruled in September 2022 that the lawsuit fell under medical malpractice law and not a civil sexual assault claim.

Editor Jeanette Bennett said in a statement that his inclusion on the list had led to a “hard lesson”.

Bennett said staff checked to make sure his license had not been revoked in the state after he received enough votes to finish in the top three.

She said: “We have decided not to change the votes and let the result stand. We have now heard from many women who are involved in the lawsuit.”

“Their stories are heartbreaking. We are particularly sorry that our best-of results have only increased their grief.

“This is a case where we should have put the data aside and ignored the voices of our readers.”

Bennett said they would apologize in their next print edition and posted a retraction on social media.

Despite the lawsuit and the police report, Broadbent has not yet been charged with a crime and he categorically denies all allegations against him.

Defendants in the case are Broadbent, Utah Valley Hospital and Intermountain Healthcare, and they have all asked a judge to dismiss the lawsuit.