2nd Lee Co. doctor's license restricted in stem cell case

FORT MYERS, Fla.- Another Lee County doctor is caught in the center of a stem cell controversy. The State Department of Health has issued an emergency license restriction to Dr. Konstantine Yankopolus, a general practitioner.

Dr. Yankopolus is still allowed to practice general medicine and is treating patients. The license restriction mandates he can't do anything involving stem cell treatment.

It's business as usual at his office on Colonial Blvd.

The doctor is still treating patients, but an emergency order issued from the Florida Department of Health, Monday prevents him from doing anything with stem cells.

The order says Dr. Yankopolus' license "is hereby immediately restricted from providing, collaborating, facilitating, procuring, referring or advising on any stem cell treatment."

The action comes after the state suspended the license of his colleague, Dr. Zannos Grekos' earlier this month.

The emergency order says Dr. Yankopolus helped Dr. Grekos perform stem cell therapy on the late Richard Polling despite knowing the Bonita Springs cardiologist was not allowed to do such a procedure.

The state Surgeon General alleges, Dr. Yankopolus falsified Polling's records.

He writes, "Subsequent to the death of patient R.P., Dr. Yankopolus entered a false medical progress note in R.P.'s chart falsely indicating that no stem cell preparation was infused."

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2nd Lee Co. doctor's license restricted in stem cell case