Beth Israel doctor with drug past suspended

Massachusetts has temporarily suspended the medical license of a plastic surgeon who allegedly performed two operations at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center while impaired and appeared to fall asleep during a patient's liposuction. The hospital fired Loren J. Borud, MD, after he was allowed to practice for six years while struggling with substance abuse problems. Borud had previously entered a monitoring agreement with Physician Health Services, a rehabilitation program run by the Massachusetts Medical Society. Kenneth Sands, MD, senior vice president of healthcare quality at Beth Israel, said Physician Health Services has a good reputation for helping doctors recover from addiction and closely monitors them after they return to work to make sure they do not drink or take drugs.