James M. Heaps

James M. Heaps is a former UCLA Health obstetrician-gynecologist who faced criminal charges and civil lawsuits alleging he sexually assaulted and harassed patients during medical appointments. Heaps practiced medicine for over 30 years before he retired from UCLA Health in June 2018. In May 22, 2019, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office charged Heaps with two felony counts of sexual battery by fraud and one felony count of sexual exploitation involving two former patients.

Education and career Starting in February 2014, Heaps was employed at UCLA Health. In June 2018, UCLA announced Heaps's immediate retirement in a letter to patients. A 2015 Yelp review alleged that Heaps inappropriately touched a patient's breast. UCLA Health acknowledged publicly that medical system officials were aware of the 2015 Yelp review but did not reach out to the victim or inform police. In December 2017, following a complaint from a patient, UCLA opened a Title IX investigation into Heaps. UCLA allowed Heaps to continue seeing patients for six more months.

In June 2018, UCLA sent a letter to patients announcing with “mixed emotions” that Heaps was retiring.

UCLA response

In December 2017, following a complaint from a patient, UCLA opened a Title IX investigation into Heaps's alleged misconduct, which took two years to complete. The report concluded that an exam he conducted “amounted to sexual assault and harassment.”