Mr. Salyer,

I have dealt with HIPAA before at a place of employment ("The HIPAA Hippo says, 'Do not disclose any private health information!'") and as far as I understand, it strictly deals with disclosing health information of the PATIENT, not the doctor.

If a doctor is sued of malpractice, their name is disclosed. How is this any different? Doctors are held accountable for their work, as are teachers, construction workers, dentists, etc. Doctor/patient relationships are not violated by disclosing the physician's name. That would be a Patient/Doctor confidentiality issue, which there are no laws to protect.

Bottom line--this doctor is incapable of diagnosing skin disease, and therefore her name should be released, as it is a PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN. You wouldn't say, "A fast food restaurant in your town is distributing dangerous meat...but we won't tell you which one. Enjoy your burgers!"

And thanks, Mr. Fairleigh for coming around. I too have herpes, and I think it may have been caused by that same attitude you shared with us.