The Florida physician who was filmed yelling at a patient at Gainesville (Fla.) After-Hours Clinic issued a written apology, claiming he "overreacted" and was acting in defense of clinic staff, WCJB-20 News.
In the video footage, which has since gone viral, Peter Gallogly, MD, is seen telling patient Jessica Stipe to leave the facility. As she and her daughter exit, Dr. Gallogly allegedly realizes he is being filmed by Ms. Stipe's daughter and takes her phone with him back into the clinic.
In a statement to WCJB-20 News, Dr. Gallogly claimed the video captured the last minute of an "hour-long episode" that included Ms. Stipe becoming "increasingly belligerent and abusive to the office staff and threatening them with violence," according to the report. He claimed he went into the patient waiting room because Ms. Stipe demanded to see him, which is when the exchange on camera occurred.
Dr. Gallogly also apologized for his behavior, stating he was defending his staff but that "there was no excuse for his behavior," the report states.
WCJB-20 News said Dr. Gallogly included a police report and witness testimonies in his statement, which described Ms. Stipe as "irate."
Dr. Gallogly is facing charges of grand theft for taking Ms. Stipe's daughter's phone and walking away. However, he is not facing battery charges because officials said there was no reason to believe he pushed Ms. Stipe or her daughter during the incident, according to the report.