What happened to a Florida doctor who is accused of forcing kisses on a patient
A longtime Fort Myers neurologist was suspended last week after accusations he repeatedly kissed a patient on the mouth, once using his tongue, without the patient’s consent.
Dr. Gerardo Gamez “had no bona fide medical purpose to kiss” the patient, said state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo’s emergency suspension order, which came down Jan. 15.
“Gamez’s conduct indicates his indifference towards the well-being of his patients, his prioritization of his own personal desires over the safety and comfort of his patients, and his apparent comfort in engaging in unsolicited sexual behavior with his patients,” the order said.
“Despite knowing that his conduct was unethical, Gamez proceeded unabated, repeatedly kissing his patient and escalating to the point of pushing his tongue into his patient’s mouth. Gamez’s blatant disregard for the laws and rules regulating his profession indicates that his behavior is likely to continue.”
That makes him, the order said, “an immediate danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the public,” which calls for the emergency suspension.
Gamez’s online Florida Department of Health profile shows no previous disciplinary action on the license the 70-year-old has held since Dec. 12, 1988. He didn’t respond to emails or phone calls from the Miami Herald seeking comment.
The Florida Neurology Group, however, had something to say in Thursday evening email to the Miami Herald. Gamez uses the Florida Neurology Group’s Fort Myers office address as his official medical license address and the allegations involve a patient appointment at the Cape Coral office.
“We respect the regulatory process and the actions taken by the appropriate authorities and have transitioned Dr. Gamez’s patients to other qualified providers to ensure continuity of care,” the statement said. “Our foremost concern is for the patient affected, and we extend our sincere concern and support.
“We want to be clear that misconduct of any kind — particularly involving a patient — is unacceptable and a serious violation of the trust placed in healthcare professionals,” the email continued. “We encourage anyone who has experienced inappropriate behavior by a healthcare professional to report it to the appropriate authorities. Florida Neurology Group is committed to maintaining the highest professional standards and to fostering an environment where patients feel safe, respected, and heard.
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Unwanted kisses?
What follows comes from the emergency suspension order:
The patient, a 39-year-old mother, had medical appointments with Gamez before the May 22 visit at Florida Neurology Group’s Cape Coral office. When Gamez asked her to run away with him, she “assumed Gamez was joking, as the two had engaged in lighthearted banter in the past.”
So, the patient, answering with the same jocularity, said she’d do it when her child was out of high school in four years.
“Later in the appointment, without warning, Gamez got up from his chair, grabbed (the patient’s) face and kissed her on the mouth,” the emergency suspension order said. She “froze, then Gamez kissed her on the mouth again.
“Gamez then said something about crossing ethical boundaries. Gamez then kissed (the patient) again and put his tongue in her (mouth). (She) pushed his tongue out of her mouth with her tongue. She pulled her head back in disgust.”
A nurse came in to give the patient an injection. Gamez left the room.
The patient “felt she should say something to the nurse but was unable to bring herself to report what had occurred due to fear that she would not receive the medical care she needed if she were to report Dr. Gamez at that moment,” the order said.
When the nurse left and Gamez returned, he repeated his questions about “running away.” The patient “agreed with Gamez because she wanted to leave quickly and tried to pretend everything was okay,” the suspension order said.
Gamez, “without any request by (the patient),” texted her twice afterward, including a next day text that said, “Thank you for seeing me yesterday. You made my day. I really meant it ‘4’,” a reference to the four years the patient jokingly mentioned.
“Gamez willfully abused his position of power in order to sexually violate a patient under his care, who trusted him to act professionally and in her best interest,” the emergency suspension order said. “Gamez’s predatory actions, and his inability to recognize that his conduct was inappropriate and unwelcomed, indicate that Gamez lacks the good judgment and moral character necessary to be a physician.”
Patients can file a complaint about a medical professional or business with the Florida Department of Health at the agency’s website.
This story was originally published January 22, 2026 at 1:33 PM with the headline "What happened to a Florida doctor who is accused of forcing kisses on a patient."
