Dr. Lawrence Cohen parts ways with the Upper East Side clinic as investigation into the death of the 'Fashion Police' host is still ongoing.
- Sep 13, 2014
AceShowbiz - Dr. Lawrence Cohen, the medical director of Yorkville Endoscopy where Joan Rivers underwent surgery before her death, was let go by the clinic's board. He allegedly allowed the comedienne's personal ear, nose and throat specialist into the clinic although the doctor wasn't authorized to practice medicine there.
"Dr. Cohen is not currently performing procedures at Yorkville Endoscopy, nor is he currently serving as medical director," said a spokesperson for the private Upper East Side clinic as investigation by the state Health Department and the medical examiner into Rivers' death was still underway.
Rumor suggested Rivers only signed off on an endoscopy, but her private doctor who accompanied her to the clinic performed an unplanned biopsy on her vocal cords. According to New York Daily News, the alleged biopsy which the clinic denied ever took place caused laryngospasm and cut off her air supply.
Joan passed away September 4 after being hospitalized for a week at the Mount Sinai Hospital. She was put on life support after going into cardiac arrest during the surgery. Her funeral on September 7 at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan was attended by many public figures like Howard Stern and Hugh Jackman.
