Dear Dr. Anderson:

This letter is in support of the immediate re-instatement of Dr. Philip J. Leonard's medical license.

The continuing suspension of his license means that Dr. Leonard is serving the most punitive sentence that the Board of Medical Examiners can hand down, despite the fact that he has not been found guilty of any crime - or even a  lapse of professional judgment. In fact, he was recently found not guilty of major charges against him. The panel at the temporary suspension hearing over a year ago stated that there was no question about the quality of care that his patients receive. The welfare of the public would not be adversely affected if Dr. Leonard's license were restored with cautionary restrictions, such as he should have an assistant in the consulting room with him during examinations. That is something he probably would insist on now so he would always have a witness available.


As one of his grateful patients, I am being punished as well by being deprived of the compassionate and superb specialist who helped me manage a painful neurological condition. If it were not for Dr. Leonard, I doubt I would be  able to walk and work today. At no time during my frequent visits to him from April 2001 until his license was suspended did I consider his actions to be any way
offensive. On the contrary, I found him to be extraordinarily kind when I was  at the lowest point of life. He always made my comfort level his priority. He  gave me strength, not only from the excellent medical care he provided, but also from the genuine interest in took in my case and how to best ameliorate my symptoms.


I have a further reason for being flabbergasted by the accusations that have been made. My mother had suffered from chronic pain for decades, pain that deprived her of restful sleep. I referred her to him, and Dr. Leonard was able to correctly diagnose and treat her condition after a number of other doctors had failed. She also has said that he never touched her inappropriately. Surely the problem
is one of the patient's perceptions, not of actual sexually motivated actions by Dr. Leonard.

For 12 years I served as the communications director for the Texas District & County Attorneys Association. Article 2.01 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure states, "It shall be the primary duty of all prosecuting attorneys   not to convict, but to see that justice is done." I realize that the Texas Board  of Medical Examiners has to adhere to a standard other than the accused is innocent until proven guilty since the Board must take the safety of the public in  account.

However, Dr. Leonard's license suspension is not justified on public welfare grounds. In fact, it would better serve the public welfare if his expertise were again available to the community. A jury has already decided that some of the charges against him are without merit. There is no justice in the continuing suspension of his license.

Sincerely,
Joni Sager