'I put my trust in him': Patients speak out about P.E.I. podiatrist who's alleged to have no credentials
Some say John Johnson's use of 'doctor' title led them to him. Now they question whether they got proper care
Last fall, after months of suffering through major foot pain, 70-year-old Reg Ferguson decided he needed help.
"I was told [by a friend] about this Dr. John Johnson, that you should go see him, that he's a foot doctor, and what you're going through, he can probably help you," Ferguson said. "I said 'well, if he's a doctor, I'll try it out.'"
Ferguson booked an appointment at Johnson Podiatry, where a sign on the door says "Dr. John Johnson, DP."
According to Ferguson, the 26-year-old Johnson told him he had two toe ulcers and booked him in for weekly treatments that involved laser therapy and a sharp scalpel to remove old skin.
"I trusted him as being a doctor. I had absolutely no reason to question him, none whatsoever," Ferguson said. "He had other patients, and lots of them. So I'm sure without a doubt they had some trust in him too."
Patty Maiorino feels the same way.
She experiences foot pain from plantar fasciitis, a tissue inflammation, and first saw Johnson in February.
He prescribed custom orthotics, which she was fitted for and ordered through the clinic. She paid Johnson $530 for the appointment and the orthotics.
Maiorino said the orthotics made her pain worse, but Johnson told her to keep trying them.
"We were brought up to trust our doctors, and do what they say. So I just assumed he knew what he was talking about, and I would keep trying," Maiorino said.
Finally in June, she said Johnson told her staff at the clinic had not scanned the orthotics properly, and ordered her a new pair. She will pick up the new pair this week.
No proof of high-school or post-secondary education
While it is unclear if the treatments Johnson administered to Ferguson and Maiorino met the standard normally expected of a podiatrist, the lack of regulation for podiatry in Prince Edward Island and recent allegations against Johnson have caused them to question the entire system.
"I was in a lot of pain, and I needed somebody to be educated, and trained, and not just by their dad," said Maiorino.
A week ago, they learned through a CBC News investigation that it appears John Johnson is not a doctor of podiatry.
Multiple people who know Johnson, including his stepmother Melanie Johnson, told CBC he has no formal podiatry education.
His stepmother, and now a second person who knew him through his teenage years, allege he didn't even finish high school. They're not clear whether he ever completed a General Educational Development (GED).
CBC asked John Johnson for proof of his high-school and post-secondary credentials. He didn't provide them or respond to the allegations against him.
P.E.I. is one of two provinces that doesn't regulate podiatry, which means there's no licensing process, few rules, and limited government oversight.
It also means there's no regulatory body to check in on the work podiatrists are doing — or a place for patients to lodge complaints.
It means people like Ferguson don't know whether the care they received was up to par.
"I'm thoroughly disappointed and frustrated," said Ferguson, who has since seen a medical doctor for his foot issues.
"You can't have people imitating themselves as doctors … it boggles my mind. It really does."
Clinic 'remains open'
CBC News reached out to Johnson's clinic multiple times over the past couple of weeks, and stopped by on a few occasions. We either didn't get an answer or were told Johnson wasn't in.
However, Johnson said in an email to CBC News on Tuesday that the clinic is still open.
"Johnson Podiatry remains open in Stratford and continues to serve our patients," he wrote.
"We understand the concerns regarding the pending orthotics. Patients will be contacted promptly as soon as their orthotics arrive to arrange for fitting and pick-up."
A staff member later clarified the clinic is only doing orthotics at the moment.
Johnson declined an interview or to answer further questions.
No regulations, but there are rules
While podiatry isn't regulated in the province, according to P.E.I.'s Regulated Health Professions Act, those working in unregulated professions are not permitted to perform certain activities like diagnosing conditions, any procedure below the dermis and applying lasers.
Based on some of his patients' descriptions of the treatment they received, it appears Johnson was violating the act.
It's also clear P.E.I. health officials have been aware of concerns surrounding John Johnson for several months.
Melanie Johnson emailed the health department in February alleging he had no formal credentials.
In April, environmental health officials inspected Johnson Podiatry in Charlottetown, identified a problem with the water, and ordered the clinic to close "until potable running water was restored to the premises."
In late June, after the clinic had reopened in Stratford, P.E.I.'s Chief Public Health Office announced a break in infection prevention measures at Johnson Podiatry after receiving a complaint about cleaning and sterilization protocols.
Some patients were ordered to get tested for HIV and hepatitis B and C as precaution. CPHO said the risk to patients is low and that the cleaning and sterilization issues were corrected.
Neither police, nor provincial health or justice officials will say whether they're investigating Johnson's alleged lack of credentials.
"It just doesn't seem right," said Maiorino. "It seems like something should be done to him. I'm not sure what. It's not up to me. But something should be done."
'It's too late for me'
The P.E.I. government does plan to regulate podiatry during the fall sitting of the legislative assembly.
For Reg Ferguson, it's too little, too late.
"[John Johnson] squeezed through the cracks," Ferguson said. "I know they're going to make changes now, but it's too late for me."
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