Psychiatric group expels local doctor

by Sonja Bisbee Wulff
Dec. 30, 1998

The American Psychiatric Association on Tuesday announced the expulsion of long-time Fort Collins psychiatrist Dr. Christian Hageseth III.

As local medical leaders rallied in his defense, the national voluntary organization charged Hageseth with “unethical conduct involving a sexual and romantic relationship with a patient.”

Despite the national ruling, Hageseth’s local peers say he followed state guidelines before getting involved with - and last month, marrying - former patient Laurel Burson.

These guidelines, aimed at protecting patients in vulnerable states, say psychiatrists must end a patient relationship and wait six months before entering a romantic relationship with that patient.

Though Burson’s then-husband maintains Hageseth broke up their marriage, the psychiatrist said he ended his patient relationship with Burson as soon as he realized he had feelings for her. The two “waited nearly a year before becoming intimate,” he said.

That was 2 years ago.

Now, though the APA ruling does not affect Hageseth’s Colorado medical license, his local peers fear action pending form the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners.

Such action would be a “blow,” “a catastrophe,” and “appalling” to a community already short on psychiatrists, they said.

Stan Anthony, acting administrator for the state agency, said he couldn’t comment on the situation, other than to say “there have been no disciplinary actions taken.”

“Hageseth’s Colorado medical license is active as of today,” Anthony said.

The Fort Collins Individual Practice Association, which represents a majority of local physicians, looked into the issue earlier this year when Hageseth came up for routine re-credentialing.

“He met the spirit and letter of the Colorado Medical Society guidelines,” said IPA president Dr. Jim Bush.

The IPA’s credentialing committee and board of directors voted to re-credential Hageseth and wrote a letter on his behalf to the state medical examiners board.

“I would do anything to protect the patients,” Bush said, “but I really don’t see a danger.”

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