| Texas Medical Association 401 W, 15th Street Austin, TX 78701-1620 512-370-1300 Fax:370-1630 www.TEXMED.ORG June 8, 2004 Lee S. Anderson, MD President, Texas State Board of Medical Examiners 1350 South Main Street Suite 3200 Fort Worth Texas, 76104-7669 Re: License Suspension of Philip J. Leonard M.D. Dear Dr. Anderson, My name is Robert V. Carr, M.D. I am the Chair of the Texas Medical Association's Physician-Patient Advocacy Committee. I am writing on behalf of the committee in regard to Philip J. Leonard, MD. The committee recently had the opportunity to consider the circumstances surrounding the temporary suspension of Dr. Leonard's Texas Medical license. The committee was also made aware of the recent acquittal on the criminal charges related to one of the lead witnesses in the temporary suspension proceeding. In light of Dr. Leonard's many years of reputable practice prior to these allegations, the dismissal of the criminal charges related to one of the key witnesses, and the ability of the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners (TSBME) to structure practice safeguards such as chaperone requirements and monitoring, the TMA Physician-Patient Advocacy Committee believes that reconsideration should be given to allowing Dr. Leonard to resume the practice of medicine until the allegations can be fully adjudicated or resolved by agreement. Dr. Leonard's recent acquittal on one of the primary criminal complaints as well as in depth analysis and review of the original temporary suspension has led the committee to the conclusion that Dr. Leonard's case should be carefully reviewed, and every effort made to return him to practice pending a more definitive resolution of the accusations. We respectfully request that the TSBME reconsider Dr. Leonard's situation in an effort to allow him to return to the practice of medicine in the near future. Thereafter, if the allegations cannot be addressed by an agreement, then it is hoped that Dr. Leonard will be allowed to practice until he has had a full hearing before the State Office of Administrative Hearings and further consideration by the TSBME. Based on the available information, Dr. Leonard does not appear to pose a current threat to his patients and, in fact, has a patient population that is anxious to return to his office for care. Likewise, Dr. Leonard has loyal employees and respected referral sources that have counted on him in the past and would welcome the chance to work with him again. Please accept this letter as a good faith effort to promote the fair and balanced regulation of physicians in Texas. Thank you for any further consideration that can be granted Dr. Leonard. If you have many questions or would like to discuss this correspondence, do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, ___________________ Robert V. Carr M.D. Chair Patient-Physician Advocacy Committee cc. Donald Patrick M.D. Paul Handel M.D. Philip Leonard, M.D. Tim Weitz, Esq. |