Timeline of ex-Kitchener neurologist Jeffrey Sloka's trial: CBC coverage

Warning: This story contains some graphic details.

The trial of former Kitchener, Ont., neurologist Jeffrey Sloka, which began in September 2021, is ongoing at the Waterloo Region Courthouse.

Sloka faces 50 counts of sexual assault in connection with alleged incidents dating back to 2010 that surfaced in 2017. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

This is CBC's coverage of the trial and all events leading up to it:

2017 to 2018: Accusations surface and hearing

Sexual abuse accusations from three former patients surface in 2017. The alleged incidents range from between 2010 to 2017, and there was a hearing from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario the following year to listen to these accusations. 

Sloka was put under restriction due to the accusations. He wasn't allowed to be unaccompanied with his patients after this.

Sloka had a primary practice at Grand River Hospital but also had privileges at Guelph General Hospital and St Mary's General Hospital in Kitchener.

2019: Sloka stripped of licence and later charged

Following the statements made by four patients to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Sloka was stripped of his medical licence by the college and could no longer practice.  

In October 2019, Sloka was arrested, facing 34 counts of sexual assault, resulting from an investigation that began in 2018. The alleged victims, who were 34 of his former clients, ranged from 17 to 51 years old.  

Two months later, 29 more charges were added and Sloka faced a lawsuit of more than $300 thousand from one alleged victim. 

2021: More charges laid

Sloka faced more sexual assault charges bringing him to 76 by 2021, but today is only facing 50. A few months later the trial began, where a few of the charges were withdrawn at the Crown's request.  

Sloka had allegedly asked some patients to undress so he could perform a physical or skin examination. It's also alleged he touched his patients' breasts. In some instances, it is alleged he inserted his fingers into the patients. He has pleaded not guilty to all 50 counts. 

2022: Trial continues

The trial continued this past September, one year later. So far, testimony has been heard from neurology expert, Dr. Vera Bril, outlining what she believed to be medically inappropriate behaviour for a neurologist based on the allegations made by Sloka's former clients. 

Sloka's medical records, documenting his interactions with clients, were also entered into evidence.

They began by hearing about alleged incidents from former clients who were suffering from headaches and migraines. They are now continuing with clients who were suffering from seizures and loss of consciousness. 

2023: Sloka testifies

The trial resumed on Aug. 1 and Sloka took the stand.

During the first week of providing testimony, Sloka outlined his process for performing skin, cardiac and neurological exams. He also outlined the processes for medical breast, pelvic and rectal exams that he'd performed during his practice.

During the second week of testimony, Sloka answered questions by defence lawyer David Humphrey about former patients who were presumed to have been suffering with migraines and headaches.

Near the end of his time testifying to the defence, Sloka was questioned about a condition called pituitary adenomas — a type of tumour — before going into the details of the final three patients.

While providing testimony, Sloka appeared to get frustrated while trying to express details to Justice Craig Parry about pituitary adenomas. Justice Parry kept stopping him, asking for clarification in what was technical testimony.  

Over these past few weeks, defence had been going over details of each individual claimant, reviewing things like the type of exams he performed, such as cardiac, breast and internal pelvic exams, and the medical justification for them.  

Aug. 29: Cross examination begins

The Crown prosecutor, Sidney McLean, began questioning Sloka about instances in which he would perform skin examinations, and whether there would be other ways to diagnose certain conditions Sloka was looking for in his patients.

There was back and forth between the Crown and Sloka about whether a skin exam was an adequate way, based on probability, to rule out a disorder called neurofibromatosis, which is a genetic disorder causing seizures. Sloka was questioned about the importance of imaging and genetic testing in diagnosing the condition based on his training and understanding.  

The Crown concluded the first day of cross examination with a number of other questions relating to things like a standard neurological examination, and what his patients wore for both this exam or a skin exam.