A 56-year old Bend doctor has been arrested twice within a three week period and charged with three counts of sexual abuse following allegations by two female patients that he “touched (them) in an inappropriate and sexual manner during the course of a medical examination”, police reported.

Dr. Gilbert Brownell Lee – DCJ photo

On March 6, an unidentified woman reported to Bend Police that Dr. Gilbert Brownell Lee, an internist practicing since 1999 in Suite 101 of the Ponderosa Medical Center at 1558 SW Nancy Way in Bend, had inappropriately touched her during an examination. 

According to Sgt. Paul Kansky, Dr. Lee was arrested that evening for third-degree sex abuse and booked into the Deschutes County Jail.  A jail administrator confirmed that Lee was released the same day.

Police forwarded a report regarding the March 6 incident to the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners Office, who, on March 22 issued an Interim Stipulated Order stating Lee agreed to withdraw from practice pending the completion of the Board’s investigation into his competency to practice medicine.

Later, detectives learned the same type of inappropriate sexual behavior allegedly happened to a second woman during an examination, Sgt. Kansky said.  On March 26, Dr. Lee was arrested a second time.

Lee was taken into custody and booked into jail, charged on March 26 with two more counts of third-degree sexual abuse.  Jail administration confirmed his release on $500 bail the same day.

Sgt. Kansky said that no other doctors or staff members with Ponderosa Medical Center are under suspicion, adding that they have been cooperative throughout the investigation.

Any patients or other persons with additional information are asked to contact Bend Police detectives at 541.312.7974.