Bellingham acupuncturist license suspended pending sex crime investigation – Cascadia Daily News

Report on Professional Misconduct and Regulatory Action in Healthcare

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The suspension of a healthcare practitioner’s license in Bellingham, Washington, following allegations of sexual assault, directly intersects with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This case highlights the critical importance of institutional accountability and public safety in achieving global development targets.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The actions taken by the state health department underscore the commitment to ensuring safe and ethical healthcare environments. Protecting patients from harm is fundamental to promoting well-being and trust in health services.
• SDG 5: Gender Equality: The allegations of sexual assault represent a form of gender-based violence. Addressing such misconduct is essential to achieving Target 5.2, which calls for the elimination of all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The response from the Washington Department of Health and the Bellingham Police Department exemplifies the function of effective and accountable institutions. The suspension of the license and the initiation of a criminal investigation are procedural steps necessary to ensure justice, reduce violence, and uphold the rule of law.

Case Summary: Timothy Baglio

This report details the regulatory action taken against Timothy Baglio, owner of Birchwood Acupuncture and Bellingham Chinese Herbs, by the Washington Department of Health.

Chronology of Events

1. Licensure: Mr. Baglio was first issued an acupuncturist and eastern medicine practitioner license by the state in 2008. The license was renewed in March of the current year.
2. First Allegation: In March, a patient accused Mr. Baglio of sexual assault, prompting the opening of a criminal investigation by the Bellingham Police Department.
3. Second Allegation: In June, a second patient filed a complaint alleging assault during a period between August 2024 and December 2024.
4. License Suspension: In August, the Washington Department of Health suspended Mr. Baglio’s license on the grounds of sexual misconduct and unprofessional conduct. The license subsequently expired at the end of August.

Current Status and Institutional Actions

• Regulatory Action: The license suspension by the state health department is pending further legal action, demonstrating a commitment to upholding professional standards and safeguarding public health in line with SDG 3.
• Criminal Investigation: The Bellingham Police Department’s investigation into potential sex crimes is a critical component of the justice process, reflecting the principles of SDG 16. The current status of this investigation has not been confirmed.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

   The issues discussed in the article, primarily sexual assault by a healthcare professional and the subsequent institutional response, are connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

   • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article discusses a licensed acupuncturist, placing the events within the healthcare sector. The alleged actions violate the fundamental principle of ensuring patient safety and well-being, which is central to this goal. The misconduct of a health practitioner directly undermines the trust and quality essential for a functioning health system.
   • SDG 5: Gender Equality: The article details accusations of sexual assault, a form of gender-based violence. It explicitly mentions one patient as “her,” directly linking the issue to violence against women. This SDG aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
   • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This goal is highly relevant as the article covers crime, the response of the justice system, and the actions of a regulatory body. The “criminal investigation by the Bellingham Police Department” and the license suspension by the “Washington Department of Health” are examples of justice and institutional mechanisms at work to address violence and ensure accountability.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

   Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres. The core issue of the article is the accusation of sexual assault by a practitioner against his patients. The mention that “One patient accused Baglio of assaulting her” directly aligns with the goal of eliminating sexual violence against women.
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. Sexual assault is a severe form of violence. The accusations against the acupuncturist represent an instance of the violence this target aims to reduce.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and local levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article highlights the response to the alleged violence. The fact that a “criminal investigation by the Bellingham Police Department was opened” and the state health department took action to suspend the license demonstrates the activation of legal and regulatory processes to provide justice for the victims.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

   Yes, the article contains specific information that can serve as qualitative or instance-based indicators for measuring progress:

   • Indicator for Target 5.2 & 16.1 (Proportion of population subjected to sexual violence): While the article does not provide a statistical proportion, it provides a specific count of victims who came forward: “two patients” accused the practitioner of sexual assault. This serves as a direct data point on the occurrence of sexual violence.
   • Indicator for Target 16.3 (Proportion of victims of violence who reported their victimization to competent authorities): The article implies that the victims reported the assaults. One accusation led to a “criminal investigation by the Bellingham Police Department,” and another patient made a “complaint in June.” These actions are direct indicators of victims reporting to competent authorities (police and health department).
   • Indicator for Target 16.3 (related to institutional response): The response by the state is a clear indicator of institutional function. The statement that the “Washington Department of Health suspended the license” serves as an indicator that a formal, protective measure was taken by an accountable institution in response to the reported misconduct.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators (as identified in the article)
   SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being	Overall goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.	The case of “sexual misconduct and unprofessional conduct” by a licensed health practitioner, which violates patient safety and well-being.
   SDG 5: Gender Equality	5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls.	The instance of sexual assault reported by “two patients,” one of whom is explicitly identified as “her.”
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence.	The reported cases of sexual assault serve as a data point on the occurrence of violence.
   SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions	16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice.	– The opening of a “criminal investigation by the Bellingham Police Department.” – The filing of a “complaint” by a patient. – The suspension of the practitioner’s license by the “Washington Department of Health.”

Source: cascadiadaily.com