Fresno doctor placed on probation for alcohol-related incidents

Aug. 16--The California Medical Board has placed a Fresno vascular surgeon on five years probation for two misdemeanors involving alcohol that occurred a few years ago.

The board revoked Dr. James H. Lee's license but stayed the revocation if the doctor agreed to the five years' probation with conditions that went into effect last week.

Under the agreement, signed in June, Lee agrees to abstain from alcohol and submit to random urine testing.

Lee also agreed that within 30 days of the Aug. 8 decision to undergo and complete a psychiatric evaluation and within 60 days to have chosen a psychiatrist or psychologist for psychotherapy treatment. He also agreed to periodic medical evaluations. And the doctor agreed to complete a rehabilitation and monitoring program and to attend an addictive behavior support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, at least three times a week.

Lee's lawyer, Peter R. Osinoff of Los Angeles, said Lee started recovery programs on a voluntary basis before the medical board got involved and "has been going through the programs quite successfully."

The allegations of alcohol abuse were never in connection with his practice in the office or a hospital, Osinoff said. The medical board's action was based on two misdemeanors for driving under the influence, he said.

Lee has been focusing on completing his recovery and the doctor intends to open a practice in Fresno in a few months, Osinoff said. In the meantime, Lee plans to offer medical services to the under-privileged, Osinoff said.

According to the medical board accusation, Lee was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence on Sept. 2, 2010. He pleaded no contest in Los Angeles County Superior Court on March 10, 2011. Lee was placed on three years probation and told to enroll in a first-offender alcohol program.

The board said he was driving at an excessive speed and lost control and struck a center median. When police arrived, Lee told the officer he was driving to the hospital to perform surgery and was a little anxious about running late, the board said.

On Feb. 16, 2011, Lee was arrested for driving under the influence. The Los Angeles County Superior Court dismissed that charge and on Sept. 8, 2011 he pleaded no contest to a charge of reckless driving with alcohol involved.

According to the accusation, he crashed into a parked car on the side of a roadway and told police he had worked all day and was fatigued. Lee was placed on 24 months probation and told to enroll in and complete an alcohol and drug education program.

Osinoff said that Lee "has taken responsibility for his behavior and recognizes the dangers involved in his use of alcohol. He's grateful to the medical board for allowing him the opportunity to demonstrate his recovery so he can continue to serve the community as a physician."

The reporter can be reached at (559) 441-6310, banderson@fresnobee.com or @beehealthwriter on Twitter.

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