A10 The Seattle Times Saturday, December 11, 1982

U.S. Surgeon general testifies on behalf of local doctor

by Alf Collins
Times staff reporter

Dr. Edwin L. Hatch, accused of

taking indecent liberties with a 13-.

year-old Seattle patient, took the
witness stand in his own defense
yesterday and denied any wrong:
doing, saying such conduct we
be “ ing and completely in-
appropriate.”
Also test was the surgeon
general of the United States, Dr.
riés E. Koop, who a as
an expert witness for the defense.
Koop told jurors in King County
Superior Court that Hatch, of
Medina, once was a student of his
and that he had been instrumental
in helping Hatch get a teaching
position in pediatric surgery at the
University of Washington in 1980.
Koop said Hatch studied under
him in Philadelphia in 1974-76 and
then became chief surgeon at
Scottish Rite Children’s Hospital in
Atlanta before moving here in 1980.
Hatch is accused of impro;
massaging the Seattle giti
two honse calls after he perfor
minor gynecol gynecological | surgery on
her Feb, 2 at Ch "s Orthopedic

H
“Roop, who officially retired
~~ me practice a he took the
tion’s top medi year,
told ayrors that homes calls: are
the philosophy he taught is

 

 

 

 

Or. Charles E. Koop
Witness for defense

it wes for thei comfort of the

patient,” he testified.
He acknowledged, however,
je Cxarurene 0 Gx skeen et
out not to be

_pradent, tT might bave done ta

considering: that her.:
parents ond tee amlly were

alone with any of my patients.

There always was a nurse pre-

sent. 9

Koop said he doubted that
Hatch could have massaged the
girl for 10 minutes within 10 days
of the operation, as the prosecution
alleges. ‘I don’t think you could be
that manipulative without causing
pen the surgeon general testi-

com > also defended Hatch’s

going to the patient’s home to
check the incision the day after the
operation and again within 10 days,
saying that .checking for blood
clots as Hatch was doing was good
medical practice.

However, Dr. Richard Soder-
strom, a@ prosecution witness, told
jurors earlier that a followup visit
would not be necessary for three
weeks after surgery.

The prosecution contends that
Hatch made three visits to the
eee ee ee 2, 8 and 11.

defense denies that Hatch
made the Feb. 8 call, producing
testimony from. Children’s Ortho-
pedic’ medical staff that he was
with patients at the hospital until
at least 8:15 that evening.

Koop also was questioned about

a tendency by sorne adolescents to

misinterpret a docior’s actions — a

theme of: the defense. ,

Sa Kp: : “I don’t think
pa’

Rica eS eee  Mgee eae

children, |
always know |

 

Hatch had engaged her in sexual
conversations during the house
calis, as the prosecution contends,
The defense says Hatch was sim-
ply informing the girl about her
bodily functions.

“I would probably do the same
thing for a girl who is confused
about her femininity and not know-
ing what to think about changes in

her body,” Koop said. “I wouldn’t
get into problems of sexuality, but
I would tell them something like

ou can have a baby’ somewhere
down the line.”

In his own defense, Hatch told
jurors yesterday that he also is
innocent of prosecution allegations
that he once molested a 13-year-old
Atlanta boy. No charges have been

filed in that case; the prosecution
says it is b up the matter,
ony to show  hotive and intent
on ahar part. ;

Cr cperaring on the Seattle.
girl, sat said, he told her
parents to expect some bleeding
and fever and said he would see,
them in a day or two. His testimo-.
ny is to resume Monday.