Dr. Lawrence Cohen, who oversaw the endoscopy that eventually lead to Joan Rivers’ death, is no longer practicing at the Yorkville Endoscopy facility where the outpatient surgery took place.

Joan Rivers' Doctor No Longer At Yorkville Clinic

Yorkville Endoscopy Clinic released a statement on the matter, simply stating that Cohen, who served as medical director of the clinic, “is not currently performing procedures at Yorkville Endoscopy; nor is he currently serving as medical director.”

Rivers suffered complications during what was meant to be a routine surgery at Yorkville Endoscopy, when she went into cardiac arrest. The comedian was transferred to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City where she was placed in a medically induced coma. Rivers died on Sept. 4 at the age of 81, and her funeral was held on Sunday, Sept. 7.

New York health officials launched an investigation into Yorkville Endoscopy on Sept. 5 following Rivers’ death and an autopsy was performed, though the results are incomplete. The clinic did not state whether Cohen’s sudden administrative leave was related to the investigation, and the doctor is not being accused of any mishandling or malpractice. However, a source revealed that Cohen was removed from his position because he “allowed a specialist unaffiliated with Yorkville Endoscopy to examine Rivers, even though the doctor was not authorized to practice in the clinic.”

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.