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When beloved comedian Joan Rivers died on September 4 after undergoing a routine throat procedure, we more or less kept mum about the clinic and doctor who performed the operation. An investigation was still pending and we didn't know enough about them.
Few things could be more unsettling than this recent revelation: Joan's personal doctor, who performed the biopsy on her vocal cords and whom we assume she trusted, reportedly took a selfie with the star as she lay in bed under anesthesia.
The medical professional, assuming he still deserves that title, has not been identified. Although he was Joan's personal ear-nose-throat specialist, he was reportedly not certified by Manhattan's Yorkville Endoscopy clinic -- something that is required by law.
Joan went into cardiac arrest during the procedure on August 28. The 81-year-old had scheduled an endoscopy by a different doctor named Dr. Lawrence Cohen, who was able to diagnose her hoarse voice and sore throat. But Joan reportedly didn't approve the biopsy she received after the procedure -- by the doc who apparently decided it was a good idea to snap a picture of himself with Joan instead of focusing 100 percent of his attention on her medical needs.
Investigators say Joan's vocal cords began to swell during the biopsy, which prevented her lungs from getting oxygen -- resulting in cardiac arrest.
She died one week later.
As of now, neither the uncertified doc who performed the biopsy nor Cohen has been accused of doing anything wrong. The clinic has not responded to allegations about the selfie or alleged unauthorized biopsy.
More from The Stir: Clinic That Treated Joan Rivers Receiving Scary Death Threats
The fact that this doc may have taken a selfie with Joan while she was out cold is disturbing and completely unprofessional. While his behavior isn't one you can link to her death, it is shocking to find out a person who dedicated his life to others' well-being would even think of pulling out his phone in an emergency room. He may not deserve to have his license stripped from him, but if this allegation is true, his identity should be exposed so that his patients know what he did and can make an informed decision about whether they'd like to be under his care.
Are you shocked to learn that Joan's doctor took a selfie with her while she was under anesthesia?
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