ATHENS, Tenn. — A state panel upheld a decision to suspend an East Tennessee doctor's medical license for having sexual relations with female patients and prescribing controlled substances in exchange for sex.

The Daily Post-Athenian in Athens reports that a Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners review panel upheld the Oct. 21 suspension of Dr. Rodney Dunham's license. The soonest that Dunham can appeal is January.

Tennessee Department of Health spokeswoman Andrea Turner said Dunham attended the review panel's Oct. 28 hearing.

Dunham did not return a telephone message left at his former medical practice.

He was licensed as a doctor in Tennessee in 1983.