'Is he high?': More women come forward accusing suburban doctor of misconduct

DuPAGE COUNTY, Ill. - Shocking allegations of misconduct against a former suburban OB/GYN continue to pile up.

There are now a total of 53 women who have come forward to file civil lawsuits against Vernon Cannon, who formerly practiced in DuPage County. 

Among the allegations are negligence, battery/lack of informed consent during examinations, and inappropriate behavior.

The claims first came to light in January, when a handful of women detailed their disturbing experiences while under the doctor’s care. It led to an investigation by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation, which permanently placed Cannon’s license on ‘inactive status’ – revoking his ability to practice.

"We think because of the brave actions of our clients, Dr. Cannon is not practicing medicine any longer, he can’t," said Michael Mertz, partner, Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C.

While the former OB/GYN has not been criminally charged in connection to these claims, dozens of women are speaking out in hopes no one else is violated in the same way.

"Looking back and remembering the red flags, it was really disturbing for me," said Amy Fuentes, plaintiff.

Former patients, like Fuentes, are sharing unsettling details about what unfolded behind closed doors – with a doctor they thought they could trust.

"I’d like to point out that Duly Health and Care uses the word ‘trust’ 282 times on its website. We intend to find out why they betrayed that trust for all 53 of our clients," said Evan Smola, partner, Hurley McKenna & Mertz, P.C.

The complaints also allege that DuPage Medical Group, now known as Duly Health and Care, did not properly investigate the doctor's background, claiming if it had, it would have learned that he was arrested in Warrenville and charged with two counts of domestic battery in 2016.

Attorneys for the women claim the medical group chose "profits over patients."

"Being a minor, too, I was scared, I was scared," said Elizabeth Gudella, plaintiff.

In a press conference with their attorneys on Wednesday, two women said that during exams, Cannon commented on their tattoos, then took it a step further.

"He is now undressed showing me his tattoos in this position," said Gudella.

"What medical personnel would be taking off their shirt and showing their patients all their tattoos, where he would unbutton his shirt, take off his lab jacket, and proceeded to show me that he was fully tatted," said Christina Deeke, another plaintiff.

Attorneys for the women say that some of their clients suspect Cannon was intoxicated during appointments.

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"I speak with a lisp and he did have a little slur but I assumed he spoke that way as well. I gave him the benefit of the doubt thinking, ‘no way a doctor would be working in Wheaton under those kind of situations,’" said Vesta Eddings. "Seeing the news in January, I just felt betrayed, I felt worried."

Eddings, who had a high-risk pregnancy, said she now questions the care she received.

In a complaint filed this week, former patient Amy Fuentes explains that in 2020, during the birth of her fourth child, Cannon exhibited concerning behavior.

While in labor, court documents state that Cannon, "stared blankly at a supply cabinet, appearing disoriented and not knowing what to do next."

The complaint goes on to say that Fuentes asked the nurses, "Is he high?"

"He was on-call that night, and I was ready to deliver, and they had to call Dr. Cannon multiple times to come to the room, and when he finally got to the room, his eyelids were really droopy, and he was moving slow," said Fuentes. "Seeing the media coverage in January confirmed some of the thoughts that I was having."

Fuentes’ delivery, according to her attorneys, came after Cannon returned from a leave of absence – one that was sparked by nurses who had raised their own concerns.

"We’ve discovered evidence since [January] that nurses at Northwestern’s Central DuPage Hospital reported to higher-ups at the hospital that they were concerned that Dr. Cannon was intoxicated, and Central DuPage Hospital sent that back to Duly right away and said, ‘you need to deal with this,’ and we think they took too long, they waited two weeks before they pulled him out of service," said Mertz.

Duly Health and Care provided the following statement to FOX 32 Chicago: 

Duly takes allegations of physician misconduct extremely seriously, including those that have been raised concerning former DuPage Medical Group (DMG) physician Vernon Cannon. The actions alleged are unacceptable and inconsistent with Duly’s mission to provide outstanding patient care and the ethical standards we expect our physicians to uphold. Duly vehemently denies that it knowingly allowed Dr. Cannon to engage in misconduct, and Dr. Cannon has not had any patient contact at Duly since he departed the practice in 2020.