YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY

Springfield, MO

Log in Subscribe

Shah Plastic Surgery owner faces criminal charge over alleged assault

Posted online

Dr. Bharat Shah, a career plastic surgeon who runs his own practice in Springfield, is facing a criminal charge over an alleged assault.

Shah, 56, owner of Shah Plastic Surgery LLC, has been charged with third-degree assault for allegedly assaulting a deaf and mostly nonverbal Uber driver over the weekend, according to the probable cause statement from the Greene County Sheriff’s Office. Documents filed with the Greene County Circuit Court indicate Shah has been charged with a felony crime and that he was released on his own recognizance. The victim in the case is identified in court documents as Robert Petersen.

The probable cause statement reports Shah – who was picked up at Inner Circle Vodka Bar downtown – allegedly choked Petersen, and while there were no visible injuries, the Uber driver reported some pain and soreness. Shah told the deputy who filed the probable cause statement that the driver was “never going to make it to where he was going” and said the driver was not exhibiting “normal behavior.”

Shah, who was visibly intoxicated, according to the deputy, reportedly called emergency services to report “his Uber driver would not stop and that he was hitting him. He also stated to dispatch that he was going to kill the driver,” according to the probable cause statement.

It's unclear if Shah knew Petersen is deaf. The deputy reported being able to communicate with Petersen via written statements.

Shah has retained Wampler & Passanise Law Office PC to represent him in the case. A statement was issued to SBJ by the law firm on behalf of Shah.

"Dr. Shah enjoys an excellent reputation in our community as a prominent plastic surgeon, with no prior criminal record," the statement reads. "This was an unfortunate incident involving an Uber driver the other evening. There were no visible signs of injury, according to law enforcement. Dr. Shah is truly embarrassed and humbled by the attention this has brought to him and his family."

A request for additional information was not answered by deadline.

The felony complaint document filed in court states Shah could receive a sentence of up to four years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, based on the punishment range for a class E felony.

Shah Plastic Surgery, which operates at 1530 E. Bradford Parkway, opened in July 2021, according to the company's Facebook page. His practice previously operated through Mercy Clinic Plastic Surgery.

While no longer employed by Mercy, Shah had maintained medical staff privileges with the health care system, said Mercy spokesperson Sonya Kullmann.

"In light of the current circumstances, Dr. Shah’s privileges at Mercy are suspended pending further review," she said via email.

Beyond working as a plastic surgeon, Shah has invented medical devices, such as the Secure Flip Pediatric Dual Positioner, which allows physicians to switch infants' positions during spina bifida surgeries, and the Secure360 Prone Positioning Device, which cuts the positioning process for infant cranial surgeries to about three minutes from 45, according to past reporting.

Shah was a recipient of Springfield Business Journal’s Men of the Year award in 2012 and Health Care Champions award in 2011. Additionally, he was an interview guest in 2012 for SBJ’s 12 People You Need to Know live interview series.

The Springfield Daily Citizen was first to report on the criminal case involving Shah.

Comments

No comments on this story |
Please log in to add your comment
Editors' Pick
Business Spotlight: The Right Focus

Helping people is the foremost purpose in business for Angela Stephens. The idea for Re-Focus the Creative Office was born to help her son, Drake Stephens, who had started struggling in school in fifth grade.

Most Read
Update cookies preferences