WOBURN, Mass. — A prominent local surgeon has voluntarily agreed to stop practicing medicine in Massachusetts amid allegations of misconduct.
FOX25 Investigates has been digging into this story since getting a tip last week.
Dr. James DeVellis has voluntarily given up his surgical rights at Winchester Hospital.
We want to make clear, at this point, DeVellis faces no criminal charges. But for now, he's no longer performing surgeries at Winchester Hospital and his practice tells us, they have terminated his employment.
[ >>WATCH: FOX25 Investigator Kerry Kavanaugh has the full story on FOX25 News at 6. ]
FOX25 investigates has learned the state board of registration in medicine is investigating allegations of misconduct involving DeVellis.
DeVellis is a prominent orthopedic surgeon who worked out of a Woburn-based practice and had surgical rights at Winchester Hospital.
FOX25 obtained a copy of the voluntary agreement DeVellis entered into with the state board dated April 15 in which DeVellis agreed to cease his practice of medicine in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts effective immediately.
However, DeVellis did not waive his rights to contest any allegations brought against him by the board, nor is he admitting any guilt.
Winchester Hospital alerted staff last that week DeVellis was on a leave of absence.
In a statement to FOX25, the hospital said in part, “Dr. James DeVellis is on a leave of absence from his medical privileges at Winchester Hospital pending the outcome of a Board of Registration in Medicine investigation and our own internal review. We will take any necessary action at the conclusion of our review."
His Woburn practice, Excel Orthopedic Specialists, told FOX25 they have not received any complaints against DeVellis. But they said they terminated his contract employment the same day he agreed to stop practicing medicine.
FOX25 asked Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan whether her office was conducting a criminal investigation. She would not confirm or deny an investigation and would only comment about the process in hypothetical terms.
"I cannot comment with any specificity about any particular allegations,” she said.
Ryan said the public is always encouraged to come forward with information concerning to them.
"We then have to take that information, sort through it, see what's there. Find if there's substance. Are there people who have real information about this?” she said.
FOX25 called and emailed DeVellis' attorney listed on the agreement but has not heard back yet.
Family said DeVellis was not available when FOX25 visited his home Thursday.
Winchester Hospital told FOX25 patient safety is their top priority.
They would not comment as whether they received any complaints about DeVellis.