Good Samaritan Hospital dismisses ER doctor arrested on pot charge

The Journal News.com, NY
By STEVE LIEBERMAN
06/22/06

SUFFERN — Good Samaritan Hospital yesterday dismissed an emergency room doctor arrested at work on accusations of possessing marijuana.

Dr. Eric Silva, 49, of New City was charged Tuesday night with second-degree aggravated harassment, a misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of marijuana, a violation.

Suffern police said officers arrested Silva in the hospital parking lot on a warrant charging him with aggravated harassment.

A complaint had been made by a woman, police said.

After arresting Silva, officers accused him of possessing a marijuana cigarette, Detective Craig Long said.

"He was stopped based on an arrest warrant," Long said. "It was at that point the officers found a marijuana cigarette."

Silva was released without bail by Justice Matthew Byrne, who signed an order of protection mandating that Silva stay away from the woman who filed the complaint, Long said.

Silva is due back in court July 18.

Because he was arrested on hospital property, Silva could not perform his duties and is no longer associated with the hospital, said Dr. Michael Lippe, the hospital's emergency room director.