When Meghan Markle welcomed her daughter Lilibet in 2021, the world learned about Dr. Melissa Drake—the California obstetrician who helped deliver the Duchess of Sussex’s second child.
Drake gained instant international attention, becoming one of the most talked-about doctors in Santa Barbara’s elite circles.
But just a year later, she surprised many by suddenly closing her practice, leaving neighbors and patients puzzled and disappointed.
Now, after a period away from the public eye, Dr. Drake is back—this time launching a high-end concierge OB-GYN practice aimed at a wealthy clientele in Montecito and Santa Barbara.
But alongside this fresh start, new details have emerged revealing that her previous medical career was marked by controversy, including lawsuits alleging medical negligence. Let’s unpack the full story.
The Sudden Closure and Legal Battles Behind the Scenes
Back in May 2022, Dr. Drake abruptly shuttered her OB-GYN practice, telling patients she needed to “focus on my own health and be with my family.”
This explanation, while sincere, left many wondering why such a well-regarded doctor would step away so suddenly—especially after the spotlight from Meghan Markle’s high-profile delivery.
Court documents obtained by the Daily Mail have since revealed that Dr. Drake was sued twice for alleged medical negligence.
One lawsuit, filed in July 2022 by patient Katherine Hurley, accused Drake of failing to properly care for her prenatal condition, which allegedly led to the stillbirth of her baby daughter Mia in May 2021.
The legal complaint claimed that Drake did not appropriately monitor, test, diagnose, or treat Hurley’s pregnancy complications, including issues with cord insertion and growth restriction.
Hurley, a registered nurse with a medical degree herself, started seeing Drake just weeks before Meghan Markle’s baby was born.
According to the lawsuit, Mia weighed only 4.5 pounds at birth—two pounds under the fifth percentile—indicating severe growth problems that may have been preventable with proper medical care.
Emotional Toll and Legal Outcomes
The aftermath of Mia’s death, Hurley’s filing states, caused her deep emotional distress including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and panic attacks.
Hurley’s husband also joined the lawsuit, naming other local medical professionals alongside Dr. Drake.
However, Drake and her co-defendants denied all wrongdoing.
Medical experts hired for the defense testified that Drake’s care met accepted medical standards, especially given the complexity of the case.
The lawsuit was scheduled for trial in June 2023 but was settled out of court in April 2024 with terms undisclosed.
A Previous Lawsuit Adds to the Picture
The 2022 lawsuit was not Drake’s first legal challenge.
In 2018, another patient, Norma Vences, filed a medical negligence complaint claiming that Drake botched a tubal ligation surgery in 2017.
According to the complaint, Drake began the procedure under general anesthesia but stopped abruptly, allegedly due to lacking the proper surgical instruments.
This sudden halt allegedly caused harm and required Vences to endure additional medical issues.
Once again, Drake’s legal team brought in expert testimony asserting she had met the standard of care, and the case was ultimately settled confidentially in 2020.
A Doctor Loved by Many Despite the Controversy
Despite these lawsuits, many former patients speak glowingly of Dr. Drake’s care.
When news broke of her practice closing in 2022, patients expressed shock and frustration at having to find new doctors mid-pregnancy.
One mother of twins described her as a “unicorn” who lets patients take charge of their birth experiences—a rare and empowering approach.
Others took to social media to thank Drake for safely delivering their children, crediting her for their babies’ very lives.
The New Concierge Practice: A Fresh Chapter
Earlier this year, Dr. Drake announced her comeback—but with a twist.
Her new practice operates on a concierge model, focusing on private clients willing to pay out of pocket for personalized, discreet care.
Her sleek website highlights her elite clientele, including A-list celebrities and royalty, proudly mentioning Meghan Markle among them.
Drake explained on Instagram that moving away from insurance plans allows her to focus on “highly personalized care” without the administrative hassles that come with insurance bureaucracy.
The new practice caters to women who expect exceptional attention, privacy, and convenience.
What’s Next for Dr. Drake?
As Dr. Melissa Drake re-enters the medical scene with her upscale concierge practice, questions remain about her past legal challenges and how they might impact her reputation.
For now, she seems focused on offering a tailored healthcare experience to Montecito’s affluent residents and beyond.
Whether she can recapture the trust of former patients and build a new legacy remains to be seen—but her story shows just how complicated and human the world of elite obstetrics can be.