AG: Neurologist had sex with brain-injured patient

The New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners has stripped a neurologist of his license for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a patient after diagnosing her with a mild traumatic brain injury.

Dr. Jonathan L. Fellus had sex with the 33-year-old woman while she was under his treatment at a cognitive rehabilitation program in West Orange, prosecutors said in a news release.

Fellus was, at the time, director of brain injury services at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, records indicate.

"The facts clearly show that Dr. Fellus engaged in a relationship with this patient, even though he knew or should have known she was suffering a diagnosed cognitive disorder and was physically debilitated by injuries she suffered in a car accident," Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said in a statement.

The patient suffered episodes of seizures and fainting following the February 2008 crash and was referred to Fellus that August, according to officials.

Shortly after their first consultation, the patient and Fellus allegedly began a relationship that eventually grew to include sexual conduct inside the rehab center's examination rooms, prosecutors said.

All the while, the patient continued to suffer symptoms. Fellus diagnosed her with a mild traumatic brain injury, while a psychologist at the center believed she was also suffering from neurocognitive dysfunction and post-concussive syndrome, prosecutors said.

The relationship allegedly continued until Fellus terminated contact with the woman the following March.

The facility contacted the state Board of Medical Examiners as soon as Fellus' conduct was confirmed, officials said. He resigned from the center in 2011 after being placed on administrative leave.

Fellus' most recent office of record is private practice Advanced NeuroCare LLC in Flanders, prosecutors said. He is also listed as chief medical officer of the International Brain Research Foundation, a nonprofit that supports clinical research for the treatment of brain injuries and dysfunction.

The state board revoked Fellus' license Wednesday after determining in a hearing that his conduct constituted gross malpractice and professional misconduct.

The board also ordered that Fellus pay a $10,000 penalty and nearly $35,000 in costs to the state. He is prohibited from treating new patients and required to transfer current patients to new physicians within 30 days.

Fellus is allowed to reapply for a medical license in three years, pending the completion of psychotherapy and board-approved personal ethics courses.