Perry Surrenders Kentucky Medical License

Louisville, KY (2011-10-25) Former Oneida physician Larry E. Perry has agreed to surrender his Kentucky medical license in the wake of a two-state investigation into alleged misconduct with female patients.

Per an agreed order executed in September and not filed until last week with the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, former Oneida physician Larry E. Perry has voluntarily agreed to surrender his Kentucky medical license. The action follows a two-state investigation into allegations that Perry acted inappropriately with female patients at his clinics in Oneida and Whitley City, KY.

In the agreed order of surrender, Perry consented to the indefinite surrender of his Kentucky medical license; however, if certain criteria are met, he may be eligible to have it reinstated. If given back, his license would be subject to indefinite restrictions barring him from providing medical treatment to any female patient and he would not be allowed to prescribe, dispense or other professionally utilize controlled substances.

On the first issue, the Kentucky Board of Licensure would not consider lifting the restriction on treating female patients unless and until the Tennessee Board of Medicine has reinstated his Tennessee license. Furthermore, if the restriction was lifted, he would be required to have an approved person in the room with him at all times while interacting with female patients.

Before lifting the restriction on the prescribing controlled substances, the Kentucky Board would require Perry to complete an approved course on the critical issues and common pitfalls of prescribing controlled substances. Furthermore, he would be prohibited from using a combination of hydrocodone, benzodiazepine and Soma in the treatment of any patient. He would also be required to maintain adequate tracking of all prescribed medications.

On November 3, 2009, the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners suspended Perry’s license following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with at least five patients at his offices in Oneida. On one occasion, a female patient claimed Perry exposed himself to her and asked for a sexual favor in exchange for an increase in her prescribed medication. On at least four other occasions, Perry allegedly rubbed his genitals against other female patient’s legs.

After moving his practice from Tennessee to Whitley City, KY, Perry was accused by three Kentucky patients of similar inappropriate sexual behavior. Perry has denied those allegations.

On November 20, 2009, a review of 22 patient records by a consultant acting on behalf of the Drug Enforcement Branch of the Kentucky Cabinet for Health Services revealed eighteen cases that fell below the minimum standard of care. Of those, four, stated the report, showed evidence of gross incompetence usually associated with Perry’s monitoring for drug misuse, abuse, or diversion. In 20 of the 22 cases, the investigation allegedly revealed that patients were prescribed both chronic narcotic pain medications and chronic benzodiazepine medications. In his response, Perry claimed the written records submitted and reviewed by the department were incomplete and electronic medical records of the same patients would include the reasoning for the prescriptions and would have resulted in less harsh criticism by the consultant.

On August 2, 2011, the Tennessee Board of Examiners filed a final order in Perry Tennessee case, tentatively agreeing to permit him to practice medicine again, provided he completes court-ordered and approved counseling for sexual addiction and boundary issues.

Even if Perry’s Tennessee license is reinstated prior to the end of the year, the Kentucky Board of Licensure will not consider reinstatement of his Kentucky license before January 2012.