“I didn’t override him. I gave my professional opinion as the treating physical therapist. The final clearance decision is collaborative, but I wasn’t going to sign off on something medically unsound.”
Claire makes a note.
“When did your relationship with Roman begin?”
“We met when I interviewed for this position in July. He dislocated his shoulder during practice and I reset it on the ice. That was our first interaction.” I pause. “Attraction developed over the weeks I was treating him, but nothing happened until much later, after his medical treatment was complete.”
“So you were attracted to your patient during his treatment.”
The way she says it makes it sound dirty.
“I was aware of a mutual attraction between us, yes. Which is why I documented everything extensively and followed protocol exactly. I wasn’t going to compromise his care or my professional standing.”
“But you did begin a relationship with him.”
“After his treatment was complete. After he was cleared to play. After the professional boundary was no longer compromised.”
She taps her pen against her notebook, considering the file sitting open in front of her.
“Tell me about the Rodriguez situation.”
I explain the MCL injury, Winters pushing for a much shorter clearance, my refusal to sign off on it. The meeting where he tried to override my medical judgment.
“Dr. Winters characterized your behavior as insubordination and unprofessional.”
“I would characterize it as practicing medicine responsibly.” My voice is harder now. “Rodriguez had a grade two MCL sprain. Two weeks isn’t enough healing time. Clearing him early would have risked a complete tear and potentially ended his career. That’s not insubordination—that’s doing my job.”
“Even when your superior tells you otherwise?”
“When my superior is wrong, yes.”
Claire’s expression doesn’t change. She closes the folder and stands.
“I need to get Coach Barrett. I’ll be right back.”
She leaves and I sit there, heart pounding, wondering if I just talked myself out of a job.
When the door opens again,Barrett walks in behind Claire.
He nods at me but doesn’t smile.
“Dr. Walker,” he says, taking the other chair.
Claire sits back down. “Coach Barrett has been involved in this investigation from the beginning. I wanted him present for this part.”
I look between them, trying to read their expressions. Barrett’s face gives nothing away.
“During our investigation,” Claire continues, “we received extensive documentation regarding Dr. Winters’ medical practices over the past five years. Three former players provided testimonyand medical records showing they were rushed back from injuries prematurely, all of which resulted in complications.”
My breath catches.
“The documentation was thorough,” Barrett adds. “Medical records, timeline analyses, communications between Winters and coaching staff. It showed a pattern of prioritizing roster availability over player health.”
Claire pulls out a single sheet from the folder.
“As of yesterday afternoon, Dr. Winters’ employment with this organization has been terminated for medical negligence and professional misconduct.”
The relief hits so hard I actually close my eyes for a second.
