NJ Cardiologist's License Revoked Amid Claims He Groped Patients: AG

HAWTHORNE, NJ —After a lengthy criminal trial, officials said a North Jersey cardiologist will permanently lose his medical license to resolve allegations that he groped six female patients.

John Strobeck, who formerly had practices in Fair Lawn and Hawthorne, has not practiced medicine in New Jersey since 2015, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Six patients, ranging in age from 51 to 80, alleged that Strobeck fondled or touched their breasts and genitalia for his own sexual gratification during medical appointments. The patients said these incidents happened between 2008 and 2014, while they were alone with Strobeck in an exam room during an office visit.

Passaic County officials charged him in February of 2015 with criminal sexual conduct. That case resolved in January 2024 with Strobeck agreeing to complete a pre-trial intervention program, officials said. He was also ordered not to have any direct contact with the former patients for his probationary period.

Now, the State Board of Medical Examiners has permanently revoked his medical license, saying that the allegations show he "engaged in gross malpractice, professional misconduct, and sexual misconduct on numerous occasions" without any legitimate medical justification.

The Board handed down their decision on April 8; Strobeck will also be prohibited from seeking a future medical license in the state.

“Doctors who sexually exploit patients behind the closed door of an exam room are a danger to the public and a disgrace to their profession,” said AG Platkin in a statement. “We will continue to investigate and root out sexual misconduct by medical practitioners to protect patients and maintain the integrity of New Jersey’s healthcare profession.”

Additionally, under the terms of the final consent order, Strobeck is prohibited from charging, receiving, or sharing in any fee for professional services rendered by others in New Jersey and is precluded from managing, overseeing, supervising, or influencing the practice of medicine or the provision of healthcare activities here, including testifying as an expert witness or serving as an expert consultant.

Strobeck is the second doctor connected to Passaic County to lose their license recently — on April 18, the AG's office announced a Wayne emergency room physician had her license revoked after a young man's death in 2017.