State Hospital Psychiatrist Resigns After Allegations of Misconduct

By: The Associated Press Email

Posted: Thu 2:51 PM, Feb 23, 2012

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - A psychiatrist at a state hospital in East Texas has quit as he faced allegations of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at work.

The Austin American-Statesman reports Dr. Gary Paul Kula resigned Wednesday from Rusk State Hospital. Kula was notified Tuesday that disciplinary action had begun.

Documents from the Department of State Health Services indicate Kula on Feb. 14 appeared impaired and was slumped in his office chair. Co-workers witnessed the incident.

Kula has declined comment.

An agency spokeswoman says officials have no reason to believe that Kula treated patients while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Records show Kula in the early 2000s was sanctioned by the Oklahoma and Texas medical boards for sexual involvement with patients. He joined Rusk State Hospital in 2005.

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State Hospital Psychiatrist Resigns After Allegations of Misconduct

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