Doctor Who Performed Joan Rivers's Endoscopy Steps Down

By: Sep. 12, 2014
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ABC News reported today the doctor that performed the endoscopy on comedy legend Joan Rivers, which led to the performer's cardiac arrest, is stepping down at Yorkville Endoscopy. Rivers died on September 4 after a week on life support. She was 81.

The clinic issued a statement to ABC saying that Dr. Lawrence Cohen "is not currently performing procedures at Yorkville Endoscopy; nor is he currently serving as medical director."

A source added that Dr. Cohen was asked to step down because he let a specialist unaffiliated with the clinic examine Rivers and not because of any wrongdoing with the actual procedure.

According to The New York Times, the unauthorized physician was an ear, nose and throat specialist who looked at Rivers's voice box once before and once after Dr. Cohen performed an upper endoscopy to check her vocal cords. Rivers came to the clinic after complaining of "hoarseness" and a "sore throat".

It is unclear exactly what led to Rivers's breathing problems during the procedure. As BWW previously reported, sources told The Daily News that doctors found something on the entertainer's vocal cords and decided to proceed with a risky biopsy procedure which should have only been performed in a hospital. During the biopsy, Rivers's vocal cords reportedly seized and closed shut, cutting off her air supply. Sources tell the site that while the medical team tried to resuscitate her, her heart stopped beating. The report remains unconfirmed.

Rivers was long a fixture on the New York scene, with numerous standup appearances, benefit appearances, and a long association with the theatrical community. She was a constant presence at opening nights and special events, and never hesitated to express her love for theatre and live entertainment.

Her Broadway credits include Fun City, Broadway Bound and Sally Marr...and her escorts, for which she received a Drama Desk Nomination as Outstanding Actress in a Play and a Tony Nomination for Best Actress in a Play.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride


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