As soon as he finishes writing newspaper stories on the convicted Dr. Robert Stokes, Ken Kolker at the Grand Rapids Press should start on a script for "Law & Order."

This strange story would be weird for New York City let alone mild and mellow Grand Rapids, Michigan.   So far, this story does not involve Hepatitis A, but Hepatitis C.  But its interesting nevertheless.  Here’s the nitty-gritty of the story.  Dr. Stokes allegedly reused medical equipment meant for one-time use, including syringes and sutures.  He was sentenced on Dec. 27 to 10 and one-half years in federal prison for $1.9 million in insurance fraud that was not related to his  allegedly unsanitary medical practices.

In the meantime, however, public health officials in Michigan are encouraging Dr. Strokes 13,000 patients to get tested.

Thus the New Year’s Day edition of The Grand Rapids Press reported that:

"The results of blood tests are trickling in for former patients of Dr. Robert Stokes, the disgraced dermatologist whose medical practices allegedly posed a risk for the spread of communicable diseases.

 "So far, six former patients have tested positive for hepatitis C, state health officials said. The officials say in terms of percentages, the overall results have been encouraging, though it still is too early to draw conclusions.

"Officials have received test results for 710 of the doctor’s 13,000 or so patients in Kent and Montcalm counties. Many have yet to be tested. "