News Releases
Discipline Committee Decisions
Dr. Joseph S. Lee; Dr. Larry S. Henderson
July 23, 2010
The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (“the College”) released the results of its most recent disciplinary hearings. The College is the licensing and disciplinary body for physicians in Ontario. Hearings are held to review allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence, and are open to the public. The following are brief summaries of recent discipline hearing results. The Discipline Committee’s full decisions and reasons for decisions are posted on the College’s website as they become available. Full decisions are located by entering the doctor’s name under Doctor Search.
Dr. Joseph S. Lee, Downsview. On June 10, 2009, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Lee committed acts of professional misconduct, in that he engaged in the sexual abuse of a patient, and he engaged in disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct. Dr. Lee was the patient's gynaecologist. In the course of a medical examination, Dr. Lee sexually abused her by placing his mouth on her breast, and made inappropriate sounds and comments concerning sexual practices. In the course of another medical examination, he made inappropriate comments about her breasts.
On June 8, 2010, the Committee ordered a public reprimand and a six-month suspension of Dr. Lee’s certificate of registration. The Committee ordered that a number of specified terms and conditions be imposed on Dr. Lee’s certificate of registration, for an indefinite period of time, including that he shall have a monitor present for all in-person professional encounters with female patients, who shall be a regulated health professional, who is acceptable to the College; and that he will allow the College to have access to his OHIP billings and will submit to inspections of his practice for the purpose of monitoring his compliance with the terms of the penalty order. Dr. Lee was furthered ordered to complete the College’s boundaries course and the medical ethics and informed consent course; reimburse the College for any funding for therapy and counseling provided to the patient in the amount of $13,130; and pay costs to the College fixed in the amount of $7,300. Dr. Lee appealed the decision of the Discipline Committee to the Divisional Court. The decision of the Discipline Committee is stayed pending the outcome of the appeal.
Dr. Larry S. Henderson, Whitby. On July 19, 2010, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Henderson committed an act of professional misconduct, in that he has engaged in the sexual abuse of a patient. Dr. Henderson was Patient A's family physician from 1985 until the fall of 2000. Beginning in April 1997 and continuing during the time of the doctor-patient relationship, Dr. Henderson engaged in a sexual relationship, including intercourse, with Patient A. A penalty hearing has not yet been scheduled.
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