Nurse Anesthetist Allegedly Groped and Kissed Sedated Women

A Virginia nurse anesthetist surrendered his license after an investigation alleged that he cupped a patient’s breasts, placed his thumb in a patient’s mouth and kissed two others on the lips while they were sedated.

On May 30, the Virginia Board of Nursing concluded that Kevin Coolong, a former nurse anesthetist with Atlantic Anesthesia, “engaged in non-consensual sexual conduct with multiple female patients while they were sedated,” according to a consent order.

The incidents occurred between Dec. 2017 and Feb. 2024 and involved two maternity patients and two women undergoing orthopedic surgeries, the consent order alleged.

In one instance, he allegedly fondled a patient’s breast after he provided spinal sedation for a knee replacement surgery at Sentara Leigh Hospital in August of 2018.

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During a psychosexual evaluation as part of an investigation into the allegations, Coolong allegedly recalled that “Patient C was ‘attractive’ and close to his age,” per the order.

In 2022, Coolong provided general anesthesia for a female patient during surgery to repair a fracture on her right hand. He told an investigator that while the woman’s eyes were closed, he kissed her on the lips. “Mr. Coolong stated that he told the risk manager that he and Patient D ‘had a pleasant interaction’ and that he was under the impression that ‘[Patient D] liked [him].’”

In another case in 2024, Coolong allegedly placed his thumb in a patient’s mouth after a cesarean section at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital in 2024.

“Mr. Coolong claimed that when Patient A was ‘drowsy,’ she was ‘clingy’ towards him by staring intently at him and holding/squeezing his hand. Mr. Coolong stated he got the impression that Patient A liked him. Mr. Coolong admitted that while Patient A’s eyes were closed, he stroked her cheek and lips,” states the order.

According to the psychosexual evaluation report, cited in the order, Coolong allegedly “holds the victims somewhat responsible for his sexual behavior as he acknowledged they kept coming over to see him, were overly affectionate and loving, asked for it by the way they looked and talked, and wanted and liked the sexual things that happened.”

During his evaluation, Coolong also allegedly stated that he “desperately craves love and affection beyond what is normal” and he “thought he could get away with the conduct because he thought the patients would like it,” per the order.

Coolong resigned on Aug. 20, 2024, per the order.   

His attorney declined to comment.

Mike Kafka, Director of Corporate Communications & Public Relations at Sentara wrote in a statement to PEOPLE: “The safety and quality of care for our patients is our highest priority. We are aware of the Virginia Board of Nursing consent order against the former Atlantic Anesthesia employee and the significant action being taken against him. We intend to fully cooperate with the investigation into this matter.”

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.