The Guardian today comments
Claims made by Desai about his qualifications gained since his medical degree have been called into doubt, including his claims to hold two PhDs, a master’s, and affiliations with major universities and colleges. Some of these affiliations have now been removed from his website and online profiles. ... According to online profiles, Desai, who is now 41, has had an extraordinary and varied career. In 2010 the online encyclopedia Wikipedia flagged his page for deletion after editors raised queries about his accomplishments.
“If half of the claims in this article are true, this is indeed an exceptional young man,” one website editor wrote of Desai, who at the time was 31. “However, exceptional does not necessarily equal notable. Most claims are unsourced or sourced to the subject’s own websites. Many claims are over the top.”
As well as holding at least one PhD, a medical degree and working as a vascular surgeon, Desai has also founded several companies including Surgisphere and a charity. His claims (on the deleted Wikipedia page) of having a second PhD and a Juris Doctor, or law degree, could not be independently verified by the Guardian and Desai did not respond to questions about this.
His biography also says he completed his master’s of business administration in healthcare management at Western Governors University. The university did not respond to requests for confirmation of this MBA. But according to the university archive he gave a speech to a graduation of university students in 2012, telling them: “Nothing that is easy is worthwhile. Because at the end of the struggle is a fountain that never stops, a fountain that showers us with the twin gifts of knowledge and wisdom.”
In a video he made for a crowdfunding campaign to support a product he designed, described as a “wearable neural induction device”, Desai said he also held a PhD in neuroscience. The device, which Desai boasted could increase brain function and creativity, never came to fruition. The Guardian could find no other record of his having neuroscience qualifications and Desai did not respond to questions about this.
Closer to home a media release from the WA Department of Mines, Industry Regulation & Safety last month states
Mental health consumers warned about man masquerading as a psychologist (Tyson John Vacher / John Vacher Psychology)
Consumers seeking mental health services are being warned about a North Fremantle man who is masquerading as a psychologist.
Tyson John Vacher, aka Dr John Vacher and trading as John Vacher Psychology, has been making false or misleading statements on his website jvpsychology (dot) com regarding his experience and qualifications.
Mr Vacher has stated on his website jvpsychology dot com that he is a member of the Australian Counsellors’ Association and has 10 years’ experience, neither of which is true.
Listings on other websites also claimed Mr Vacher has a PhD and a qualification from the University of Southern Queensland, which are not true.
Commissioner for Consumer Protection Lanie Chopping expressed concern that vulnerable people suffering from mental health issues may be duped and not get the expert treatment they need.
“It’s alarming to me that someone with no qualifications or experience as a practising psychologist should be offering professional help to people who may be suffering from depression, anxiety, sexual abuse trauma or other mental health issues,” Ms Chopping said.
“Our investigation into Mr Vacher has confirmed that he does not hold the formal qualifications in psychology that he claims and his assertion of having ten years’ experience is ridiculous considering he is only 23 years old.”
In 2021 Vacher received a community corrections order after pleading guilty to two health-related fraud offences and three charges related to the forging of a Bachelor of Laws testamur from the University of Southern Queensland. He'd used the forged law qualification for applications to enrol in three different tertiary institutions. His lawyer is reported as stating that Vacher is "remorseful", is now pursuing his professional ambitions "in the correct way" and has been accepted into a Masters of Counselling degree.
