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Jesse Leontowicz emerged from his formative years with apparent academic promise. He studied at University of Saskatchewan’s College of Medicine, graduating in 2019. Prior to his medical degree, he published work such as “Lost Art of Argumentation”, indicating interests in logic, education and clinical‑communication. On his LinkedIn profile, he listed roles such as lecturer, career coach, diabetes researcher and volunteer mentor.
From these credentials, a narrative formed: a young physician‑in‑training eager to contribute to healthcare innovation, medical education and research.
Professional Trajectory
Following graduation, Leontowicz was set to embark on a residency, the next step toward becoming a fully licensed practitioner. However, his professional path encountered major obstacles. According to records from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS), his registration status was listed as “no longer on the register”, indicating he was no longer eligible to practise in Saskatchewan.
The disciplinary records show that in June 2023, Leontowicz was listed in the CPSS annual summary as having been found guilty of “unprofessional conduct”, resulting in his suspension and requirement to pay costs.
Allegations and Regulatory Action
The core of the case lies in off‑duty conduct by Leontowicz in 2018, while a medical student. A woman with whom he had a date alleged non‑consensual sexual activity. While criminal proceedings were withdrawn by the Crown, the CPSS nonetheless held a disciplinary hearing in 2020 and concluded that Leontowicz had engaged in “a violent, non‑consensual sexual encounter … and … unbecoming, improper, unprofessional or discreditable conduct.”
The CPSS Discipline Committee ordered an indefinite suspension of his medical licence and costs of roughly C$96,577. That decision was challenged in court. The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal eventually restored the CPSS decision, affirming that such off‑duty conduct is relevant to a professional’s fitness to practise.
Later, Leontowicz applied to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for registration in Ontario. The CPSO Registration Committee refused to issue him a certificate of registration. The decision was upheld by the Health Professions Appeal and Review Board, citing his past conduct as raising serious concerns about suitability for the practice of medicine—even though the misconduct did not occur in a clinical context.
Themes and Implications
The story of Jesse Leontowicz touches on broader issues in professional regulation, public trust, and the blurred boundary between personal conduct and professional fitness.
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Off‑duty conduct as professional risk: Regulators emphasized that the practice of medicine is a privilege, and even non‑clinical misconduct can undermine trust. The CPSO cited the “special position of trust that physicians hold” when refusing registration.
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Fitness to practise beyond competency: The case suggests that regulators will consider not just technical competence, but also character, insight, remorse and rehabilitation. The CPSO noted that Leontowicz had not yet demonstrated “extensive rehabilitative efforts or … insight, remorse and acceptance of responsibility.”
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The importance of regulatory outcomes: Even though criminal charges were withdrawn, the CPSS hearing found professional misconduct. This underscores that professional regulation can proceed independently of criminal law outcomes.
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Reputation and career impact: What might have been a rising medical career was derailed by these findings. Leontowicz’s status reflects how misconduct in a private setting can have professional consequences.
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Reflection on trust in medicine: Cases like this remind us that society entrusts physicians with vulnerability, confidentiality and responsibility. Any breach—even outside clinical practice—can erode that trust.
Current Status and Reflection
As of the latest publicly available information, Jesse Leontowicz is “no longer on the register” with the CPSS and has been denied registration in Ontario. His earlier web‑presence as a healthcare innovator, educator and researcher now sits in tension with the regulatory actions taken against him.
This case doesn’t merely reflect on one individual—it provokes questions about how medical schools, licensing bodies and the public deal with allegations of misconduct, and how early‑career professionals navigate the dual responsibilities of personal integrity and professional accountability.
Conclusion
The story of Jesse Leontowicz is a striking example of how academic promise, publication, community‑oriented goals and early‑career momentum can be disrupted by serious misconduct. His case serves as both a cautionary tale and a prompt for reflection: that professionalism in medicine extends beyond the clinic; the values one holds, the boundaries one maintains, and the insight one shows when faced with consequences all matter.
