KINGSTON, Jamaica — Renowned neurosurgeon and medical chief of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, Dr Carl Bruce, was on Tuesday summoned to appear in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court to answer to charges surrounding the alleged physical assault of another colleague at the hospital back in 2007.

Bruce’s attorney, Tom Tavares-Finson, told Observer Online that he is prepared to defend the charges and uphold the integrity of his client.

“Dr Carl Bruce, who is a renowned neurosurgeon and chief of staff at the University Hospital of the West Indies, was summoned to appear in the parish court in the Corporate Area today (Tuesday), in relation to an allegation that in 2007, there was an incident involving himself and an individual who at that time was a medical practitioner and who was subsequently dismissed by the University Hospital of the West Indies,” Tavares-Finson shared.

“It is alleged that during an altercation, Mr Bruce pushed him and that his necktie, I think, was torn, or his shirt was torn — and that is 2007, but of course, we deny the allegations, absolutely,” he continued.

The defendant is reportedly no longer employed at the hospital nor permitted to practise medicine.

“We are prepared to defend the charges and to continue to uphold the integrity of Dr Carl Bruce, someone who is known to many, many persons who have attended the University Hospital (of the West Indies) in one capacity or another,” Tavares-Finson continued.