The Iowa Board of Medicine has ordered a mental health evaluation for a central Iowa physician who has faced allegations of medical malpractice, chemical abuse, drunken driving and sexually inappropriate behavior.
In March 2025, the Iowa Board of Medicine charged Dr. Douglas Selover of Des Moines with sexual misconduct and engaging in unprofessional conduct.
The board alleged Selover was practicing medicine in the emergency room at Des Moines’ MercyOne Hospital when it was alleged that he made unwanted sexual and inappropriate physical contact with another emergency room employee and that he made sexual remarks to the same individual.
The board has not elaborated on the alleged conduct or publicly disclosed when it was alleged to have occurred.
According to board records, Selover, who is now 68, has denied the allegations.
Recently, the board agreed to settle the case by requiring Selover to undergo a mental health evaluation that will assess “concerns about professional boundaries and sexual harassment.” As part of the settlement, Selover has also agreed to enroll in an educational course on professional boundaries and ethics.
The settlement imposes no other restrictions on Selover’s ability to practice medicine.
Previous record of ‘chemical abuse,’ drunken driving
State records indicate that in 1991, Selover was granted an Iowa license to practice osteopathic medicine subject to a consent agreement that required him to abstain from the consumption of alcohol and the use of nonprescribed drugs. As part of the agreement, Selover also agreed to inform his treating physician of what the board called his “previous history of chemical abuse.”
In 1992, the board alleged Selover violated that agreement on several occasions by drinking alcohol. The board suspended Selover’s license for 30 days and placed the license on probation for five years. The board also required Selover to abstain from the use of alcohol, attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and to submit to any board requests for blood and urine testing.
Court records indicate that in February 1993, Selover was convicted of second-offense drunken driving.
In March 1996, at Selover’s request, the Iowa Board of Medicine agreed to terminate his disciplinary probation early and restored his license to full privileges, free and clear of any restrictions.
In 2003, Selover was again charged with second-offense drunken driving. Court records show the charge was dismissed when Selover agreed to plead guilty to a charge of reckless driving.
Child deaths trigger two malpractice lawsuits
Selover is currently a defendant in two separate medical malpractice lawsuits alleging that while working in the emergency room at Des Moines’ Mercy Medical Center, he failed to diagnose and treat children with hydrocephalus, a dangerous condition that results in fluid exerting pressure on the brain.
One of the lawsuits alleges that a 7-year-old boy, Levi Miller, died after being examined by Selover in the emergency room on Sept. 14, 2022. Selover has denied any wrongdoing, and a trial is scheduled for Sept. 13, 2027.
The second lawsuit alleges that a 12-year-old girl, Mia Fidler, died after being examined by Selover in the emergency room on Sept. 21, 2022, seven days after the alleged incident with the Miller child. Selover has denied any wrongdoing, and a trial is scheduled for July 27, 2027.
The Iowa Board of Medicine has not charged Selover with any wrongdoing in either the Miller case or the Fidler case.
