North Carolina Psychiatrist Shawn Willson Suspended for "Romantic" Relationship with Patient, More

November 7, 2022

On November 15, 2021, the North Carolina Medical Board ordered that the license of Hendersonville, NC psychiatrist Shawn L. Willson be indefinitely suspended.   

The Board had evidence from which to conclude that Dr. Willson engaged in unprofessional conduct, and that she was unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients. Therefore, actions were taken against her.

In November 2020, the Board received reports Dr. Willson presented to an emergency room in North Carolina on four occasions with mental health, cognitive, and other physical concerns that appeared to be related to automobile accidents. On November 23, 2020, Dr. Willson was involuntarily committed for several days because she was an imminent risk of harm to herself without further medical and mental health assessment and treatment.

In January 2021, it was ordered that she undergo a psychiatric evaluation. On April 21, 2021, Dr. Willson inactivated her North Carolina medical license. As a result, she was not required to complete her psychiatric assessment.

In April 2021, the Board received information that Dr. Willson had been providing psychiatric care and prescribing controlled substances to "Patient A" with whom she had a close personal relationship, and, for a short period in 2021, Dr. Willson stayed at Patient A’s home with her.

In August 2021, a complaint was filed relating to Dr. Willson travelling to a bed and breakfast hotel in North Carolina and staying there for a short period of time with Patient A. The complaint included allegations that Dr. Willson had an inappropriate romantic relationship with Patient A and had a physical altercation with Patient A.

Source: Consent order in re: Shawn Willson M.D., before the Medical Board of North Carolina, Nov. 15, 2021.