SIU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE PHYSICIANS ACCUSED OF DRUG ABUSE

State officials have filed complaints against three SIU School of Medicine
physicians contending they have drug problems and should have their medical
licenses revoked.

The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation has accused two
physicians of filling out phony prescriptions to support their pain killer
habits and another of smoking crack cocaine.

Spokesman for the President Scott Kaiser would not comment on the IDPR
complaints, stating that the University thinks it inappropriate to discuss
pending allegations.

Associate Professor in the School of Medicine Dr. James Goodrich allegedly
filled out false prescriptions last year for more than 5,000 tablets of
pain killers such as hydrocodone, Ultram and hydromorphone.

Goodrich, who continues to treat patients in Springfield, has violated
terms of his probation if convicted of the charges. In 1996, Goodrich
admitted that he has a history of chemical dependency when he agreed to the
terms of probation in order to receive his medical license.

According to terms of the probation, Goodrich was forced to submit blood
and urine samples randomly and "refrain from the use of all mood-altering
psychoactive drugs." He was also mandated to abstain from using alcohol and
told to attend three Alcoholic Anonymous and/or Narcotics Anonymous
meetings each week. Goodrich was supposed to be subject to the probation
until 2008.

As of press time Tuesday, Goodrich had not returned repeated phone calls
from the Daily Egyptian.

Spokesman for the IDPR Tony Sanders said he did not know how the department
obtained evidence against Goodrich or the other two physicians.

"What we include in our complaints is everything we have," Sanders said. He
added, in regard to Goodrich's case, "Typically in other probation cases it
is learned in the course of the investigation."

Two other SIU trainee physicians were implicated for what the department
asserts is drug abuse. Drs. Michael Connolly and Hatem Nasar Abdeen have
both been accused of using controlled substances.

Connolly allegedly admitted to a colleague that he was a "habitual"
crack-cocaine user, according to the complaint filed against him.

Abdeen's complaint alleges that he was self-prescribing drugs such as
Tylenol No. 3, Xanax, Valium, Librium, Diazepam, Paxil and Xenical.

In addition to the unlawful use and prescription of the drugs, the
department alleges that Abdeen used another physician's signature to obtain
the drugs.

Both Goodrich and Abdeen have hired attorneys to represent them in the
case. Allen Rhine, an attorney from Chicago representing Goodrich, defended
his client in Monday's Springfield State Journal-Register.

"These are only allegations, " Rhine said. "The department hasn't presented
one iota of proof."

The three physicians will now begin a long legal process where they will
attempt to disprove the IDPR's evidence. An administrative judge will
listen to both sides argue their cases and will submit a report to the
department's disciplinary board.

Based on the judge's report, the board will recommend a suitable punishment
to the director of the IDPR. Sanders said the process takes a long time and
resembles a criminal trial.

Sanders also added that the department regularly files complaints against
physicians. In 1999, the board filed charges against 99 physicians, while
126 were charged in 2000.

Director of Public Affairs for SIU Nancy Zimmers refused to confirm any
particulars about the complaints or whether Connolly or Abdeen are
practicing medicine now. Zimmer did add that the University will forego
punishing the physicians until the department makes a decision on their
complaints.

In light of the complaints, Zimmers reiterated that the University will
provide the necessary treatment to physicians with problems and see that
are given medical leave.

"The School of Medicine is very attentive to our responsibility for having
competent physicians on staff and in our resident training programs to
provide good patient care," Zimmers said.