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Dr. Joshwa Tromblee Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits

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Dr. Joshwa Tromblee, a licensed osteopathic physician in Iowa since 2007, spent more than a decade building his name in small-town family medicine and emergency care. He practiced in Corydon, Centerville, Albia, and Ottumwa. These are communities where patients know their doctors personally, and reputations matter. He was not a headline guy. He was the doctor you were sent to when you needed answers. The kind of physician you expected to keep it clinical, honest, and safe.

Then came the misconduct allegations. They did not come in quietly. They were serious, specific, and deeply disturbing.

Where He Practiced: Corydon, Centerville, Ottumwa, Albia

Before everything unraveled, Dr. Tromblee worked primarily at Wayne County Hospital and Clinic System in Corydon, Iowa. His clinic address at 417 S. East Street was his main hub. But his reach extended across southern Iowa. He held satellite appointments at Monroe County Hospital in Albia, MercyOne Centerville Medical Center, and Ottumwa Regional Health Center.

He was not just treating colds and doing checkups. He was seeing emergency room patients, offering outpatient care, and handling a range of sensitive examinations. Of course, this happened sometimes alone,  without a nurse present.

The Allegations: What the Board of Medicine Found

Here is what the Iowa Board of Medicine says happened.

In 2021, Dr. Tromblee began treating a female patient at MercyOne Centerville Medical Center. Over time, their interactions began to stray from the professional. The board says he started sending sexually inappropriate Facebook messages. Then Snapchat messages. Then money. The final visits occurred in 2022 and early 2023. The communications, some of which MercyOne obtained and reviewed, made it clear the boundaries were not just blurred. They were obliterated.

The hospital placed him on paid administrative leave in April 2023. Nine days later, they cut ties entirely. And in March 2025, the Iowa Board of Medicine issued formal charges for sexual misconduct. A couple of months later, his license was suspended indefinitely.

What Makes This Case So Disturbing

There are two things that make this situation particularly alarming, even beyond the surface-level misconduct.

First, the nature of family and emergency medicine invites trust. People go to these appointments with their guard down. They expect compassion. Not coercion. A physician in that space has more access, and more responsibility, than most realize.

Second, this is not a case where intent is murky or hard to prove. The messages were documented. The financial exchange was tracked. The patient made clear that the behavior was unwanted and inappropriate. And the state medical board moved swiftly once the facts came in.

In short: this is not just one patient’s word against a doctor’s. It is a record-backed account that led to one of the most severe disciplinary outcomes a physician can face.

If You Were Treated by Dr. Tromblee: Why You Should Pay Attention

If you were a patient of Dr. Tromblee and something happened that brought you to this page, you should know you were not a one-off situation. Experience shows that in these types of cases, once one report becomes public, others follow. Sometimes people stay silent for years. Other times, they thought what happened was “weird” but never spoke up. Now is the time to reconsider.

Red flags include:

  • Unnecessary pelvic or breast exams

  • Being asked to remove clothing in situations that did not seem medically relevant

  • Touching that felt sexual or personal, not professional

  • Social media communication or messages from the doctor after visits

  • Being made to feel uncomfortable, pressured, or confused during a visit

If any of that happened, you are not alone. And you may have legal options.

The Legal Side: What a Lawsuit Might Look Like

This is where we shift from what happened to what can be done about it.

From a legal standpoint, Dr. Tromblee’s actions may give rise to several civil claims:

  • Sexual battery – Any non-consensual sexual contact is grounds for a lawsuit.

  • Medical malpractice – Performing non-medically necessary procedures is a clear deviation from the standard of care.

  • Intentional infliction of emotional distress – If his actions were extreme (they were), that opens another path.

  • Breach of fiduciary duty – Doctors owe their patients trust and honesty. Violating that trust is its own legal problem.

  • Negligent supervision – Hospitals or medical centers that hired or failed to monitor him could be held responsible too.

In other words, it is not just about Dr. Tromblee. It is also about the systems that allowed this to happen—or failed to stop it.

Potential Damages: What Victims Could Recover

Let us be clear: no dollar figure erases trauma. But civil law is about more than just money. It is about acknowledgment. It is about accountability. And yes, it is about compensation.

Plaintiffs in these cases typically pursue damages for:

  • Emotional distress

  • Cost of therapy or counseling

  • Medical costs tied to follow-up or injury

  • Lost wages (if trauma interfered with work)

  • Pain and suffering

  • Punitive damages (intended to punish and deter)

There is no universal settlement number. Each case turns on its facts. But misconduct tied to medical authority often leads to significant awards—especially when institutions share blame.

Why Filing a Civil Case Matters

Some people hesitate to file suit. They feel shame. They worry they will not be believed. They do not want their name in a court record. All of that is valid.

But here is the truth. Filing a civil case gives you control. You decide whether to go public. You decide whether to settle or press forward. And your action might give someone else the courage to speak up.

It also pushes institutions to answer questions they would rather avoid. How did this happen? Were there other complaints? What did supervisors know?

Lawsuits are not just about outcomes. They are about transparency.

What To Do If You Suspect You Were Harmed

Start with this checklist:

  1. Write down what happened – include dates, times, and any conversations you remember.

  2. Save all medical records – bills, notes, letters, appointment confirmations, anything.

  3. Screenshot communications – especially messages via Facebook, Snapchat, or any other platform.

  4. Talk to a sex abuse attorney, not just someone who handles injury cases, but someone who understands this kind of harm.

  5. Do not talk to the clinic’s lawyers or insurers without speaking to a lawyer first.

  6. Do not post publicly about your experience. Anything online could be used later. Let your lawyer handle the messaging.

How Our Firm Can Help

This is what we do. We help people who were hurt by professionals who should have known better. We help victims make sense of what happened and get justice—without sugarcoating and without judgment.

  • We offer free, confidential consultations. Always.

  • We operate on a contingency fee basis—you do not pay unless we win.

  • We have experience handling sexual misconduct and medical abuse cases.

  • We work with experts to analyze your case.

  • We go after both the doctor and the institutions involved, if the facts support it.

Getting a Lawyer

If you believe you were harmed by Dr. Joshwa Tromblee or experienced inappropriate conduct during your care, you are not alone… and you may have legal options. Our team is here to listen, answer your questions, and guide you through the next steps with care and discretion.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation. There is no cost to speak with us, and no obligation. We will review your experience, explain your rights, and help you decide whether pursuing a claim is right for you.

Your voice matters. Your story deserves to be heard. Let us help you seek the justice and accountability you deserve. Call 888.322-3010 or contact us online.