Former CCS president charged in connection with six patient deaths

Dr. W. Sam Yi, CCS Oncology's former CEO and chief medical director, is facing administrative charges in the death of six patients and one other.  The charges were filed by the New York State Health Department.

CCS Oncology closed earlier this year after filing for bankruptcy following being dropped by Independent Health's network of providers.

This past spring, the FBI raided CCS Oncology offices seizing information related to an investigation into possible fraud.

At one point, CCS Oncology was one of the largest cancer treatment practices in the area.

Dr. Yi is now required to appear before the State Board for Professional Medical Conduct to answer administrative charges of gross negligence, gross incompetence, negligence on more than one occasion, incompetence on more than one occasion and failure to maintain treatment records in connection with seven (7) patients.

Six of the patients cited in the NYS Health Department charges died and ranged from age 22 to age 64.

According to the Statement of Charges, Dr. Yi on several occasions failed to "account for prior doses of radiotherapy" (radiation) and exceeded "appropriate tissue tolerances" with radiotherapy.

In addition, Dr. Yi is accused of failing to consider alternative treatment strategies.

The charges also include accusations that Dr. Yi did not maintain records which accurately "reflects the evaluation and treatment of the patient."

If found guilty, Dr. Yi could lose his license to practice medicine in NYS.  He could also be fined and/or face other sanctions.

It is not clear at this point when and where the administrative hearing will take place.

7 Eyewitness News Reporter Ed Reilly will have more on this tonight.

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