Former cosmetic surgeon Vincent Cheng wants medical licence back

Cheng, who went to jail for operating illegally, is being opposed by the College of Physicians, which questions his ethics and skills.

Disgraced former cosmetic surgeon Vincent Cheng leaves a reinstatement hearing at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario.

By: Theresa Boyle

 Health

The regulatory body for Ontario doctors is opposing a disgraced former cosmetic surgeon’s bid to get his medical licence back.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario alleges that Vincent Cheng fabricated a graduation certificate for a life-support course that he actually failed, and that he ran an illegal mail-order drug business.

Lisa Brownstone, counsel for the College, told a reinstatement hearing Thursday that Cheng was found to be “unsafe and dangerous” in an advanced trauma and life support course he took last year at Hamilton Health Sciences.

During a simulation exercise, his patient went into cardiac arrest, Brownstone said.

In trying to bolster his bid to practise medicine again, Cheng submitted to the college as supporting material a copy of a certificate of “successful completion” of the course, complete with the American College of Surgeons’ seal.

Cheng, who is representing himself, said accusations made against him are untrue but did not specify which ones.

Brownstone presented the graduation certificate to Cheng’s psychologist, Dr. David Simourd, who is supporting his client’s bid for reinstatement, describing him as “honest, insightful, altruistic and (having) strong moral character.” She asked Simourd if he would feel the same way if he found Cheng had fabricated the certificate and failed the course.

Simourd said he was surprised by the allegation and now questioned Cheng’s honesty, but explained he would have to re-examine Cheng to truly understand the situation.

Cheng’s trouble with the college started in 2004, following complaints from patients unhappy with cosmetic surgeries he performed at his home-based clinic in the Trenton area.

While under investigation, Cheng first agreed to stop doing cosmetic surgery on the head and then to stop doing surgery altogether.

In defiance of the College, he performed 31 operations — including liposuction and breast augmentation — and subsequently had his licence suspended. He nevertheless continued to perform cosmetic surgery and ultimately had his licence revoked in 2006.

An expert plastic surgeon who reviewed case files said Cheng — who was educated as a general practitioner — had no knowledge of common pathological conditions and a complete lack of skill in common techniques such as liposuction.

Cheng was also convicted of aggravated assault for operating illegally and sentenced to nine months in jail. The judge was highly critical of the College for not being able to stop the renegade doctor.

The College has since cracked down on doctors who perform cosmetic surgery and on the out-of-hospital clinics where these operations take place.

Cheng said he now wants to practise general and emergency room medicine in northern Ontario.

In challenging Simourd’s conclusion that Cheng is a changed man, Brownstone asked the psychologist if he would still feel that way if he found Cheng had operated an illegal mail-order drug business, selling drugs such as Valium to people in the United States without prescriptions.

While still a physician, Cheng would write prescriptions for drugs for his staff, then resell the drugs across the border, she alleged. After his licence was suspended, the mail-order business continued, with the drugs sourced elsewhere, she added.

Simourd was again surprised by the allegation and said he would probably change his opinion upon re-examining his client.

The hearing was also told that Cheng had financial troubles after losing his licence, and local media report he was forced to take a $10-an-hour job at a paintball game centre.

In a letter to the college, Cheng said a contributing factor to his poor decision-making was his struggles with his then wife — now deceased — who was an alcoholic.

The hearing continues on Sept. 30.