Houston plastic surgeon behind bars for hit-and-run conviction

Ilena Rose · medicine forum Guru Joined: 05 May 2005 Posts: 813

Note from Ilena: As reported earlier, this MD had a long history of
drug abuse and was allowed to continue to practice and keep his
medical license for years after this came to light of the medical
board of Texas.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3783839.html

A Houston plastic surgeon was taken into custody today for critically
injuring two women in a hit-and-run accident last year in the
Galleria.

Dr. Mark Douglas Gilliland, 53, was found guilty earlier this month on
two charges of intoxication assault in a case that began after his
Mercedes sports car struck Amanda "Mandy" Holland and Joanna Moore on
March 9, 2005, as they were walking to meet friends for dinner in the
Galleria area.

Gilliland drove away without calling for help, leaving the unconscious
women behind. A blood test later revealed he had taken an Ambien
sleeping pill, a diet pill and an antidepressant, and he had an
alcohol level that still far exceeded the Texas legal limit more than
four hours after the accident.

Walking into court this morning for his formal sentencing, Gilliland
told reporters: "This situation has been tragic for everyone. I hope
other people can learn from my example. I'll repay my debt to society
and try to get on with my life."

Prosecutor Warren Diepraam said Gilliland will remain behind bars
until April 27, 2008.

The injured women, members of a British TV crew filming the "Animal
Cops: Houston "program for the Animal Planet network, were not in the
courtroom during the sentencing today.

Gilliland's now has a record of four felony convictions and will most
likely lose his state medical license forever, effectively prohibiting
him from practicing medicine in the United States, said Diepraam in an
earlier report.

He still faces a lawsuit filed by Holland and Moore, which is set to
go to trial in September.

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Coleah · medicine forum Guru Wannabe Joined: 16 May 2005 Posts: 153

He was placed on probation for four years by the state board in 1998 for
writing prescriptions for family members for Ambien, Valium and other drugs.
Gilliland also reported he had received inpatient treatment for substance
abuse in 1997.

Gilliland's medical board probation was terminated a year early (2001) when
his psychiatrist reported the surgeon had "gained a great insight into his
disease and himself."

In 2004, Gilliland was charged with driving while intoxicated in a Houston
suburb but pleaded guilty to reckless driving and was fined $200.

The state said it has now suspended Gilliland's medical license because of
"drunkenness; excessive use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or another
substance."

<Ilena> wrote in message news:5kl4525gu87etk80v2221if10mj806pu83@4ax.com...

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