Charla Burill
I always felt like you did what was in my best interest until 2017. Now I don't know. Did you molest me or was it treatment? Michigan State no longer has my medical records so I really do not have anything to reflect upon.
date of testimony: January 22th 2018
location of testimony: Lansing, Michigan
read by court official Ms Liddell
In 2000 I made the Michigan State University cross country team as a walk-on. I made the team even though I was injured. I did not know what was wrong, but I did know I was in pain and that I was not able to run at my best.
Doctor Nassar, you were not the first doctor I saw as I believe you were away at the 2000 summer Olympics, but I do remember the day I met you.
It was at Jenison Fieldhouse. You brought light as I had seen multiple doctors, athletic trainers, and even chiropractors and none had answers to my pain. You took one look at the x-rays and said I had a fracture of my ischium tuberosity. I was not crazy for there was a reason for my pain. You brought hope.
However, the pain did not get better. We tried everything. At some point I started seeing you at your clinic off Hagadorn. With the pain, lack of relief, inability to run, and a realization that after all of my hard work I did not matter to the team brought depression.
You were the doctor that would give me a hug, that seemed to understand. You also knew I was willing to do anything to get better.
For me, when I first heard of the allegations against you I was confused. I was confused because those treatments, the release technique applied through my vagina, were the same treatments I recall receiving from you, but I never questioned whether or not you thought they were medically necessary. I became even more confused when you denied ever penetrating any patient’s vagina. From the day I heard you denied it, I began to question my own memories.
I don’t recall anyone else being in the room when the treatments were done, but I cannot firmly say someone was not. I don’t recall whether or not you had gloves on or whether you used lubricant. I simply did not question treatment because you were the doctor I trusted most. When all your treatments did not work, you got me an appointment at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
I always felt like you did what was in my best interest until 2017. Now I don’t know. Did you molest me or was it treatment? Michigan State no longer has my medical records so I really do not have anything to reflect upon.
My situation is complicated because another physician, a chiropractor, performed the same treatment on me. The difference is he did not make me feel uncomfortable about it and make inappropriate comments that scar me to this day. You did not, and I guess that is what troubles me the most; even though I know you treated many other girls horrifically, that is not my memory of you. I cannot confidently say that what you did was wrong and move on. Instead I wonder. I rack my brain at night trying to remember exactly what occurred, hope for one memory to stand out, but all that I remember is your kindness, your seeming desire to help.
Personally, I know it sounds crazy, but I wish you could remember me, remember my condition, review my record, and explain to me your medical reasoning for each treatment.
The injury I suffered in 2000 still gives me pain to this day. That pain is physical, but the information I learned about you in 2017, that information brought new injury, emotional injury. A person should not walk around wondering if she was molested or not, but because of you, I do.
THE COURT: Thank her for that brave statement. I hope she finds peace.
