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( Awesome photo by Roanna )
Dr. Charles Ray Jones is being charged by the
Connecticut state medical board with unprofessional conduct. The
charges were initiated by an estranged spouse in a custody dispute.
CLICK
HERE FOR CRITICAL INFO!
Findings
from first hearings
Next hearing is July 23rd, Wednesday
For Distribution: Posted on behalf of Dr. Jones:
The next session before the Connecticut Medical Examining
Board will take place on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:00
a.m. at the Department of Public Health located at 410
Capitol Avenue, Hartford, CT., Hearing Room C. At that time, the
Department will finish its examination of Dr. Zemel, its expert witness,
and Attorney Pollack is scheduled to cross-examine
him.
At the last session on May 9, we heard testimony from one of the fathers
involved in the current set of charges against Dr. Jones. The other
witness who was scheduled to testify was Dr. Harwin, the
retired pediatrician who had served as the expert in pediatrics for
the Department of Public Health (DPH) in the last case. He did
not appear, however. We learned from Attorney Tilles, the prosecutor for
the CT DPH, that Dr. Harwin will
not testify at all in this case. Those of us who were
able to attend this previous
session were struck by some of the insightful questions asked
by the hearing panel.
Dr. Jones extends a warm invitation to all who
are interested to attend the next hearing session on June
10. For those of you who aren't able to make the trip, please know how very
much he appreciates your support and good wishes from afar.
For those of you who can't attend in person and would like
to support Dr. Jones, a number of opportunities currently are
available for contributing to the Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense
Fund:
2. Book signing and sale of Cure Unknown
by Pamela Weintraub, science journalist: hosted by Drs.
Russell Donnelly, Sheila Statlender and Family on Saturday, June 7,
2008 from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. 50% of the proceeds from book
sales at this event will go to Dr. Jones' fund. For those who
can't attend, it will be possible to order a copy which we will mail to
you. Watch for more information, or email SStatlende@aol.com to
place an order for this book.
3. Donate directly to the Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense
Fund (note new instructions below):
Make Donations payable to " Pullman & Comley Trust Account-for
Dr. Charles Jones"
Mail to:
Elliott Pollack
c/o Pullman & Comley, LLC
90 State House Square
Hartford, CT 06103-3702
Note "gift" in the memo field
If you are a patient of Dr. Jones and would like
to
write a note of support, please send your letters to him at:
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Madison Towers
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, CT 06511
Thanks very much for your attention, concern and support!
Warmly,
Sheila
____________
_________
_________
_________
_________
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_
May 2nd hearing
Dr. Jones just learned today that the first hearing for the new set of
charges being brought against him by the CT DPH has been scheduled for
this Friday, May 2. Initially, it wasn't clear if this hearing would be
rescheduled, as has happened at least once before, or if his presence
would be required on Friday. For that reason, he was hesitant to issue an
announcement at an earlier point in time.
Dr. Jones understands that this is very late notice for the community, but
wants people to know that he would welcome their attendance, for anyone
who may be able to be there.
Friday, May 2, 2008, from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.
at the Department of Public Health Complex, 410 Capitol Avenue, Hartford,
Connecticut, Conference Room "C" in Building 470
For driving directions: http://www.cga.
ct.gov/olm/
directions2.
asp
Sorry for the late notice!
Please also note the new instructions below for making donations to the
Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense Fund:
HOW TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND:
Make Donations payable to " Pullman & Comley Trust Account-for
Dr. Charles Jones"
Mail to:
Elliott Pollack
c/o Pullman & Comley, LLC
90 State House Square
Hartford, CT 06103-3702
Note "gift" in the memo field
Tuesday, March 18, 2008 11:52
PM
Subject: For distribution: Urgent Message from Dr. Jones
CHARLES RAY JONES, M.D.
Madison Towers
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, Connecticut 06511
Tel (203) 772-1123 Fax (203) 772-0682
March 17, 2008
Dear Friends,
I am writing once again to update you regarding the status of the charges
which have been brought against me by the Connecticut Department of Public
Health (CT DPH). As most of you know, on December 18, 2007, the hearing
panel made recommendations for sanctions that would have severely
restricted my ability to treat Lyme patients, and would have set a
dangerous precedent for other Lyme-treating physicians.
Those of you who were fortunate enough to hear Attorney Pollack’s oral
argument in response to the hearing panel’s proposed decisions and
sanctions (“Proposed Memorandum of Decision”), or who read the
transcript published in the Lyme Times (Winter Edition), can speak to his
professionalism and keen grasp of key issues pertaining to Lyme disease
and the controversy which surrounds it. Although the Connecticut Medical
Examining Board (CMEB) went on to adopt the recommendations of the hearing
panel with little change, I remain confident and extremely grateful to my
legal defense team, headed by Attorney Pollack, and assisted by his
associate Christine Collyer, Lorraine Johnson and others. They have been
engaged in a flurry of critical legal activity since December 18 to
prevent the CMEB’s determination from becoming final. For example:
1. With the help of a skilled appellate lawyer from his firm, Attorney
Pollack has filed an appeal and an Application to Stay the Connecticut
Medical Examining Board’s Decision in the Superior Court. This was
successful, because it resulted in a Court decision to stay, or stop, the
application of a four part standard for the diagnosis of Lyme disease,
pending appeal. Although the Court did not remove the requirement for a
monitor, this means that I cannot be penalized for treating Lyme if: 1)
there is low risk of exposure, 2) the symptoms are what some call
“non-specific,” 3) the history is “non-specific,” and 4) the Lyme
test is negative.
This change resulted from one ground in the appeal, which pertained to the
fact that the hearing panel imposed this standard AFTER the trial, so that
we had no opportunity to defend against it during the hearing, which most
lawyers would consider a breach of due process.
2. Another ground for appeal filed by my attorneys pertained to the
inconsistent position taken by the CT DPH Commissioner Galvin. In a
hearing on Lyme disease held in CT in 2004, as well as in other public
statements, the Commissioner has stated that there are two standards of
care for Lyme disease and that it is too early to “call the science.”
He then contradicted these statements by bringing action against me
predicated on the IDSA standard of care. In so doing, Galvin denied me due
process and fair notice.
3. Yet another ground for appeal was based on the question of bias of one
of the three panel members, Dr. Senechal. Following the December 18
hearing, two parents who had not attended previous hearings came forward
and expressed horror that Dr. Senechal had expressed extremely biased
views regarding physicians who treat Lyme, referring to them as
“quacks.” Dr. Senechal’s remarks, documented in their affidavit,
formed the basis for a motion to reconsider, filed with the CMEB. The CMEB
denied this motion, but Dr. Senechal’s bias provided another element
which strengthened our appeal.
4. My legal team also was successful in getting the Connecticut Superior
Court to stay the reprimand and the two years probation ordered by the
CMEB. Also, the civil penalty, $10,000, was placed in a trust account
pending appeal. It is very important to note that, although the monitoring
factor remains in place, the monitor’s scope has been limited with
regard to the 4 part standard of care (see above) – very good news not
only for my practice, but also for that of other physicians who treat Lyme
disease comprehensively, and for the patients who seek their care.
5. My attorneys have had to become involved in defending my failure to
obtain a monitor by the deadline set by the CMEB, in order to prevent them
from holding me in contempt, a finding which, at the worst, could result
in an automatic suspension of my CT medical license. Here are some of the
circumstances which led to their involvement in this matter:
The CMEB order stipulates that I must find (and pay for) a board certified
pediatrician licensed in Connecticut. The monitor must be willing to
review thirty patients’ charts every three months, for a period of two
years. I have had a great deal of difficulty finding a monitor in the
allotted time, particularly one who understands how to treat Lyme disease
comprehensively. Some are too busy with their practices to take the time
to serve in this capacity. Many are involved in group practices which
often object, because of the time and resources this activity would divert
from the collective work of the partners. Some may not want to take on
this role due to the controversial nature of my case.
The CMEB has refrained from providing a monitor; perhaps as a strategy to
avoid the accusation that they have installed someone who is hostile. They
have, however, threatened to hold me in contempt, asserting that I have
not exhibited sufficient effort with this matter. My office continues to
aggressively search for a monitor, while my attorneys are dealing with the
legal issues involved.
6. As you may have heard, the DPH has brought additional charges against
me pertaining to three new cases. Initially, they intended to introduce
these cases into the prior, ongoing hearing, but my attorneys were
successful in preventing these cases from being joined with the case
already being heard. New hearings on these three cases will be scheduled
in the near future at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, CT
(watch for future announcements with more details). These are expected to
be scheduled over a period of at least several months, which my attorneys
already have begun to prepare for by contacting potential experts,
compiling legal research and drafting legal pleadings. Two out of three of
these cases, much like the previous case, involve divorced parents engaged
in custody and other marital/parental disputes.
One case in particular has ominous implications for the Lyme community, if
the DPH charge is allowed to prevail: I am accused of falsifying an
illness in a child in order to justify his absences from school,
essentially colluding with the mother, who has been accused of
Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy. This charge, if upheld, could set a
dangerous precedent for the Lyme community, endangering parents and their
sick children who are accused of truancy. It must be defeated.
We have some reason to hope, based on the merits of the appeal, that the
CMEB and the CT DPH could decide against prosecuting these new charges.
Once again, my legal team has been extremely busy, attending CMEB
meetings, drafting motions, writing memos, conferencing with both the DPH
prosecutor and the Assistant Attorney General and more. I continue to be
impressed by their commitment to my case, as well as their sincere concern
for what it represents for the children, who are so ill with Lyme disease.
All of this, unfortunately, also has been quite costly, which leads me,
with some apology, to the second part of my message to you.
Without the support of the Lyme community, it would not have been possible
for me to engage this top-notch legal team and to fight these charges. I
have thought long and hard about the wisdom of continuing this fight, in
part because I hesitate to impose any further hardship on so many of you
who already have contributed so much, and who are contending with stressed
resources. I have decided, however, that it is essential to continue to
oppose the charges brought against me and want to explain why:
1. I am dedicated to the principle of providing appropriate treatment to
the children of Lyme, and to training other physicians to treat pediatric
patients through the various preceptor programs currently available.
2. I am gravely concerned that an easy, unchallenged “defeat” will
send a dangerous message, and that those physicians who depart from the
IDSA guidelines in their treatment of Lyme disease will be left more
vulnerable.
3. I am strongly opposed to the ominous precedents that will be set if the
current charges against me are allowed to prevail. The two cases that I
mentioned above exemplify this danger: namely, the imposition of a
restrictive standard of care, as well as the unfounded persecution of
families whose children are ill, with accusations of Munchausen’s
Syndrome by Proxy, malingering and truancy.
Because fundraising efforts were suspended over the holidays, when my
legal team was engaged in an intensive flurry of activity, the defense
fund is in dire straights: currently, we owe more than $80,000 in legal
fees. All outstanding bills for services rendered must be paid immediately
in order for me to retain my legal counsel, and we also must demonstrate
that funds will continue to be forthcoming as needed.
With all of this in mind, I must ask you once again to consider making a
financial contribution to my legal defense fund, in whatever amount your
circumstances will allow. If you are able to contribute, I hope you will
do so as soon as possible. Instructions for making donations to the legal
defense fund are provided at the bottom of this letter.
Additionally, many of you have suggested ideas for fundraising, some of
which could draw on resources outside of the Lyme community (e.g., a
concert). I welcome and deeply appreciate this kind of creative effort to
raise money for the legal defense fund.
On Friday, March 14, I reached my 79th birthday. Someone asked me recently
if I ever dreamed that I would find myself in this position at this stage
of my life. I replied that, no, I didn’t, but if I had the chance to do
it over, I would do it all again. It is largely because of the
considerable support and concern that so many of you have conveyed in so
many ways that I have been able to maintain my determination to see these
charges through to a successful resolution. Please accept my heartfelt
appreciation for your ongoing support.
With very best regards,
Dr. Jones
Charles Ray Jones, M.D.
HOW TO DONATE TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE FUND:
Make Donations payable to "The Dr. Charles
Ray Jones Legal Defense Fund." Mail to:
C/O George Heath, III (CPA)
26 Fairlawn Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
Note "gift" in the memo field
2) A WEBSITE FOR DR. JONES IS NOW READY TO TAKE PAYPAL
CREDIT CARD CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEFENSE FUND.
http://www.DefendLy
meDoctors.
com
If you are a patient of Dr. Jones and would like to
write in his support, please send your letters to him at:
Charles Ray Jones, MD
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, CT 06511
Wednesday, December 05,
2007 10:35 PM
For distribution: Update from Dr. Jones
CHARLES RAY JONES, M.D.
Madison Towers
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, Connecticut 06511
Tel (203) 772-1123 Fax (203) 772-0682
December 5, 2007
Dear Friends,
I have appreciated the many expressions of support being conveyed to me by
so many of you, and want to keep you apprised of the latest developments
regarding the charges brought against me by the Connecticut Department of
Public Health.
Almost as soon as I had issued my previous update to you, the hearing
panel assigned to my case released its "Proposed Memorandum of
Decision.” This decision, which is preliminary, recommends that many of
the charges against me be upheld and outlines the following sanctions: a
reprimand from the Connecticut Medical Examining Board, a total civil
penalty in the amount of $10,000, and a two-year supervised probationary
period, to be conducted by a physician who will review my patient records
at my expense. My license, however, was neither suspended nor revoked, nor
was it recommended that it should be.
I want you to understand the potential impact of these recommendations, if
they are allowed to stand. For example, the proposed decision states that
I have been charged with failing to reconsider my diagnosis of Lyme
disease in light of the negative Western Blot tests in April, 2005. It
also states that I have been charged with diagnosing a disease in very low
risk patients, with non-specific medical histories, non-specific signs and
symptoms, and negative laboratory tests. Bear in mind that the record
indicates that these patients had traveled to other states, had camped in
Oklahoma, and had a history of tick attachments. A panel of the
Connecticut Medical Examining Board has determined that the Connecticut
Department of Public Health has sustained its burden of proof with regard
to these charges, meaning that I am guilty as charged.
As you can see, these recommendations fail to take into account the
unreliability of laboratory testing for Lyme disease. If they are not
overturned, they will seriously impede my freedom to diagnose and treat
Lyme and other tick-borne diseases based on my clinical judgment and
expertise, despite the fact that I will be allowed to retain my medical
license. Furthermore, these findings will set a dangerous precedent for
other physicians treating Lyme disease. That is why we must prevail and,
if we are unable to reverse these recommended findings, continue to oppose
them in court.
The full board will consider the hearing panel’s recommendations and
proposed penalties at a formal hearing scheduled for December 18, 2007 at
1:30 p.m., at the Legislative Office Building, Capitol Avenue, Hartford,
CT, in Conference Room 2C. Written responses, or legal briefs, must be
submitted before December 13. At the hearing, both sides will present oral
arguments. My legal team will challenge the preliminary findings and the
proposed sanctions. It is possible to see movement from a panel’s
“Proposed Memorandum of Decision” to an approved final decision, after
the full board hears the oral arguments and reads the briefs.
I extend a warm and hearty welcome and encourage your attendance at this
hearing. It is important to convey to the full board that this is a matter
of considerable importance to the surrounding community. They have
reserved a big conference room for this purpose, indicating that they are
anticipating a very large turnout. We wouldn't want to disappoint them!
Please bear in mind, however, that this will be our first public encounter
with the full medical board. It is critical that we do not distract them,
or disrupt the proceedings in any way. The press also is likely to show
strong interest in these proceedings, and it will be important for them,
as well as the members of the board, to see the Lyme community for what it
is: responsible, dignified and appropriately involved.
Once again, I want to emphasize that your caring and concern during this
process has been invaluable to me. As you know, your financial support has
been essential as well, and your generosity has touched me deeply. I hope
that you will continue to make donations, to the extent that you are able,
to the Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense Fund (http://www.lymesite
.com/drjones.
htm).
I send very best wishes for a healthy and happy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dr. Jones
Charles Ray Jones, M.D.
NOVEMBER 29, 2007
CHARLES
RAY JONES, M.D.
Madison
Towers
111 Park Street
, 1st Floor
New Haven
,
Connecticut
06511
Tel
(203) 772-1123 Fax
(203) 772-0682
November 29, 2007
Dear
Friends,
I
would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you
who have stood by my side and supported me during my defense of the
charges brought against me by the Connecticut Department of Public
Health. I have greatly
appreciated the many expressions of caring and concern expressed through
letters, attendance at the hearings in
Hartford
, during office appointments and more, as well as your support in the
form of financial contributions to the Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal
Defense Fund (CRJMDLDF). The strong solidarity expressed by the Lyme
community on my behalf has been an important factor allowing me to
persevere, and I am determined to see this process through to a
successful conclusion. Words
cannot express the extent and depth of my gratitude to each and every
one of you.
In
light of your concerns, and because your donations have been key to
maintaining my legal defense, I feel that it is time to issue another
“state of the union” regarding my case, as well as the status of the
legal defense fund.
As
of this date, the hearing panel assigned to my case is still in
deliberations regarding the outcome of the charges against me. Even
though the hearings themselves are finished, the hearing panel has been
meeting over the past couple months to deliberate my case. I previously
announced that we expected them to issue their decision sometime in the
Fall of 2007. While I would like to interpret it as a positive sign that
they have not issued a hasty decision, the lengthier time frame also has
required ongoing attention from my legal team, with associated legal
costs continuing to accrue. Also, as I had announced previously, the
Connecticut Department of Public Health has indicated that it still
plans to move forward with the four additional complaints brought
against me, regardless of the outcome of the this case.
These four complaints have been “joined,” meaning that all
four complaints will be heard in one legal proceeding.
Recently,
I issued a statement through Kay Lyon to the effect that my legal
expenses have been running $1,000 per day.
I would like to explain that this figure is derived from the
bills which we have been receiving on a monthly basis, and includes
legal fees, (e.g., legal research, preparation for and face time at
meetings and at the hearings, etc.), fees incurred by expert witnesses
and consultants, transportation, and so on.
I continue to have the
utmost confidence in my legal team, which is doing a remarkable job on
my behalf, and ultimately for the children of Lyme who are so vitally in
need of access to treatment.
I
also would like to take this opportunity to clarify a misstatement
attributed to me in an article published in the Yankee Magazine
(July-August, 2007, p. 96), which stated:
“For his legal defense fund, almost a million dollars has been
raised by his patients’ parents and, in some cases, by his patients
themselves.” What I
actually said was that, when
all this is over, the legal costs related to my defense could
well be in excess of one million dollars, including legal fees,
expert witnesses’ fees, transportation, and other costs. This
pertains not only to the current case, but also to the costs incurred
due to the four additional complaints.
Some
of you have asked for more information regarding the management of the
CRJMDLDF, and I would like to take this opportunity to address your
questions. The CRJMDLDF is
set up as a “blind fund,” meaning that I have no control over how
the money is spent. Checks
are made out to the CRJMDLDF and can only be deposited into an account
administered by George Heath III, a certified public accountant, who has
volunteered to take the position as comptroller of the fund.
Only he can write checks to pay for legal expenses and other
bills generated by my legal defense (expert witness fees, travel costs,
etc.). Several other
CPA’s had volunteered to oversee the legal defense fund, but George
Heath was first on board and has had a longstanding interest in matters
related to Lyme disease.
Please
note that the money earmarked for the CRJMDLDF is in no way connected
with any Lyme disease advocacy group.
Non-profit organizations by law are prohibited from becoming
involved in legal defense funds. I
state with the utmost assurance and confidence that any and all monies
contributed to my legal defense fund are being utilized solely for my
legal defense, and for no other purpose.
With
all this in mind, it is important for you to understand that we must
keep a balance of at least $30,000 in the legal defense fund at all
times, to ensure that funds will be available when needed:
At
the present time, the legal fund is exceedingly low, and we are barely
able to meet our expenses. More
funds are urgently needed.
While
it pains me deeply to see the already stretched resources of the Lyme
community going to pay for legal fees, instead of much needed medical
treatment and research, it is nevertheless vitally important that we
prevail in our current efforts. With this in mind, I once again must ask
you to consider a donation to the CRJMDLDF, in whatever amount your
circumstances permit. For
those of you who are unable to contribute financially, please know that
your letters and other expressions of support have been vitally
important as well.
You
may donate to my fund in either of two ways:
1)
By check: make
payable to the CRJMDLDF; write “gift” in the memo section and mail
to:
The
Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense Fund
c/o
George Heath, III (CPA)
25 Fairlawn Drive
Wallingford
,
CT
06492
2)
By credit card: a
website is now ready to take Paypal credit card contributions to the
defense fund: http://www.DefendLymeDoctors.com
If
you would like to express your support in another way, please send
letters to me at my office:
111 Park Street
, 1st Floor,
New Haven
,
CT.
06511
.
I
extend to each and every one of you my sincere and heartfelt thanks, and
my very best wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Dr.
Jones
Charles
Ray Jones, M.D.
CHARLES RAY JONES, M.D.
Madison Towers
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, Connecticut 06511
Tel (203) 772-1123 Fax (203) 772-0682
March 10, 2007
Dear Friends,
Your tremendous expression of support continues to overwhelm me. I cannot put into words my heartfelt joy, appreciation and love for you all. The charges against me have provided great challenge, but I remain optimistic. I know that my approach to treatment is sound, and maintain my belief that justice ultimately will be served. I also have tremendous confidence in my legal team, which has been working diligently to enable me to prevail.
We have just entered the second year of legal hearings, however, and my legal defense fund is nearly depleted. My ability to mount an appropriate defense, from a financial perspective, is now in jeopardy (legal expenses have been averaging $1000 per day), and will depend on my ability to continue to meet the high cost of this lengthy and complex process. I currently need a fund of $150,000, to be in a position to fight the charges. In order to achieve this, I need your financial backing, in the form of as generous a donation as your circumstances will allow. It pains me greatly to have to ask this of you, knowing the tremendous burdens that Lyme disease already has imposed on so many. It is critical, however, that I retain my license, in order to preserve timely access to appropriate, comprehensive treatment for the children who are so very ill.
Checks should be made out to the “Charles Ray Jones, M.D. Legal Defense Fund” (write “gift” in the memo section), and mailed to the CRJMDLDF c/o George Heath, III (CPA), 26 Fairlawn Drive, Wallingford, CT 06492.
Alternatively, credit card donations to the legal defense fund may be made through a PayPal account:
www.DefendLymeDoctors.com
Thank you for your continued support, your prayers and good wishes. Regarding your many letters of encouragement, please know that I read and appreciate every single one.
Sincerely,
Charles Ray Jones, M.D.
Message from Dr. Jones about the Sept. 28, 2006 Hearing
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Susan L. Marra, ND
Madison Towers
111 Park Street
New Haven, CT 06511
September 12, 2006
Dear Valued Friends and Patients;
I have just heard from Attorney Pollack that the next scheduled date for
the continuation of my hearings is Thursday, September, 28, 2006 at
10:00a.m. in
the Legislative Office Building, Hartford, CT, Room 1E. As all of
you know, this has been a rather tedious and difficult fight for the long
term antibiotic treatment of Lyme disease and coinfections in children.
However, this hearing is particularly important. The mother and the
two children for
which this hearing is all about will be testifying in regards to the
outcome of my Lyme Disease treatment for them. The mother is very
sympathetic to my situation and wants to help me in any way to ensure
success and continued
medical practice. But again, I need your support as well. If
you are able to attend my 5th hearing on September 28, 2006 for 2 or 3
hours, I would greatly appreciate your presence. The children in
question are happy, well
and will demonstrate that my work is worthy and correct. Please help
me to continue fighting this very important pediatric medical issue.
Thousands of children will benefit from a positive outcome of my hearings,
and other
physicians will be able to continue practicing without fear that they too
may find themselves against a medical board for less than appropriate
charges.
Thank you for your continued support, and your presence at this particular
hearing would be most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Pediatric and Adolescent Lyme Disease
111 Park Street, 1st Floor
New Haven, CT 06511
Letter from Doctor Jones, August 29, 2006
Dear Valued Patients and Friends;
I want to update you on my current legal situation, as my hearings
continue into the Fall, and matters have become more tedious and time
consuming.
There have been several recent developments in the Connecticut Medical
Examining Boards' case against me, which has required considerable
time and expense for both my Legal Defense Counsel and for myself.
For this reason, I am asking for your help again now, by continuing to
make contributions to my Legal Defense Fund.
I am confident in my attorneys and optimistic about the outcome of my
case, however, continued perseverance is required at this time in
preparation for my 4th hearing with the Connecticut Medical Examining
Board scheduled to
take place on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at the Legislative Office
Building in Hartford, CT at 9:00a.m. in Room 1E. If you find the
time in your schedule to attend my hearing, your support would be much
appreciated on my
behalf.
I continue to maintain a strong commitment to the delivery of long
term antibiotic treatment for children with Lyme disease and
coinfections, as Lyme disease remains a rising global epidemic, and
proper and timely health
care for children is of paramount importance, but I NEED YOUR
CONTINUED SUPPORT. Please donate what you can to the:
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Legal Defense Fund
c/o George Heath III
26 Fairlawn Drive
Wallingford, CT 06492
(please place the word "gift" in the check memo field)
I genuinely want to thank all of you who have helped me in the various
ways to step forward and stand strong during this difficult time for
all of us.
Sincerely,
Charles Ray Jones, MD
Dr. Jones speech June 2 2006
It’s
an honor to be here with my colleagues who are speaking and our
emcee Brooke Landau. I enjoy the work that I do and I’m glad
that I have the opportunity to treat the children of Lyme disease. I
feel I have a deep need, a deep calling to do so and will continue
to treat the children of Lyme disease as long as I physically and
mentally can. As many of you are aware, my license to practice
medicine in CT is in jeopardy. I am in a position now of going
through a series of hearings before the licensing board to determine
whether the charges against me can be validated. There is a
third one coming up on the 22nd of June. This is the
beginning of the defense series of hearings. I welcome and extend a
hearty welcome to each and all of you to come and see what is going
on in the legislative hearings. Several people have been to the
first two hearings and have seen the superb effectiveness of my
legal team. In order to continue to have the same legal team and win
and have the charges dropped, or at least modified, I need your
continued efforts, your financial support to be continued, your
thoughts and your prayers and your presence. Thank you. Charles Ray
Jones M.D., Lyme Rally, Hartford, CT, June 2, 2006
This is message is from Dr. Jones in regard the details of the case:
First
Do No Harm
As
a physician in the practice of pediatric and adolescent medicine, I have
evaluated and treated over 8,000 children with Lyme and other tick-bourne
diseases from every state in America, from most provinces in Canada, from
countries in South America, and from every continent abroad. No other
pediatrician in the world has my experience in evaluating and treating these
diseases.
My
office receives 5-10 inquiries per day from parents who are desperate to
obtain an adequate evaluation of their children with Lyme and other
tick-bourne diseases. Due to my very busy 10 hour per day, 6-7 day per week
Lyme practice, there is a 5-6 month delay between office contact and an
actual office visit. In order to do no harm by delaying evaluation and
treatment, a history and lab test are obtained. Treatment is initiated prior
to an office visit if a probable diagnosis can be made. Most of these
children have already suffered from a delay in diagnosis and/or inadequate
treatment of their tick-bourne disease.
This
is the background that led me to evaluate and treat two children from Nevada
prior to my seeing them. My diagnosis of probable gestational Lyme disease
and tick acquired Lyme disease was made on the basis of the history
presented by their mother and my over 30 years of treating children with
tick-bourne diseases. I have been reported to the Connecticut licensing
board and have been charged with making the diagnosis of Lyme disease and
initiating antibiotic treatment prior to examining them in my office and
therefore am in violation of the usual and customary standard of medical
care.
I
have been offered the opportunity to have these charges dropped by retiring
and surrendering my license to practice medicine in the state of Connecticut
or I can appear before a panel of the Connecticut Medical Examining
Board to include Martin Harwin, M.D. (a retired pediatrician) and
Eugene Shapiro, M.D. (Yale-New Haven Hospital) for a formal hearing to take
place in late January, 2006.
I
do not intend to retire because I still
have a firm calling and commitment to continue to help children with
Lyme and other tick-bourne diseases.
Thank
you for your help.
Charles
Ray Jones, M.D.
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