DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License Valid and no actions listed as of 7/28/15
FBI: TWO CHIROPRACTORS ARRESTED FOR ROLES IN HEALTH CARE FRAUD SCHEME CONNECTED TO CLINICS IN BAKERSFIELD, VISALIA AND FRESNO
FRESNO, CA—Following arrests made earlier today, a federal indictment was unsealed charging three defendants with conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 15 counts of health care fraud, United States Attorney Benjamin B Wagner announced. Chiropractor Bahar Gharib-Danesh, 38, of Woodland Hills, was arrested in Los Angeles; Chiropractor Na Young Eoh, 41, of Bakersfield, was arrested in Bakersfield; and clinical psychologist John Terrence, 72, of Marina Del Rey, is expected to voluntarily appear before the United States District Court in Fresno within the next 30 days. “Identifying and prosecuting fraud in the provision of health care services is a priority for this office,” said United States Attorney Wagner. “We will continue to work with our federal and state partners in pursuing dishonest health care providers who plunder public and private health care insurance plans for their own gain.” According to the indictment returned on July 2, 2015, Gharib-Danesh was a chiropractor and the manager of Pain Relief Health Centers (PRHC).
PRHC was headquartered in Los Angeles, and had clinics in Bakersfield, Visalia and Fresno, as well as in Los Angeles County. Eoh was also a chiropractor, and was the treating physician for PRHC’s Kern County workers’ compensation claims. Terrence was a clinical psychologist who saw patients from the Bakersfield clinic. According to the indictment, PRHC recruited patients who were workers claiming to have an injury.
In treating the patients, Gharib instructed her staff to add as many injured body parts for treatment as possible to generate higher billings. The treatment plan generally included shock wave therapy, electro stimulation therapy, myo-facial release/massage, physical therapy, chiropractic manipulation, compound creams, and psychological evaluation. Nearly every patient was scheduled for the same treatments, and the maximum amount of treatments allowed by law was generally billed to the insurance company. Eoh operated out of the Bakersfield Clinic, the Visalia Clinic, and the Fresno Clinic and would sign the treatment plans and referral forms.
If the claim of injury was denied by the insurance company, a lien would be filed, and the claims would either be litigated before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or be settled by negotiations through the parties. Lien settlements for less than the full amount of the claim were acceptable because of the high volume of patients recruited and by the large amount of medical fees generated. The indictment further alleges that Gharib directed Eoh to refer all patients who came into the clinic to Terrence for a psychological evaluation, regardless of the injury the patient reported. Terrence submitted bills and reports for each patient that were virtually identical.
He also allegedly fraudulently billed for patients at a rate higher than legally allowed. According to the indictment, Terrence provided each patient with approximately 20.8 hours of psychological evaluations in a single day. On one day, Terrence billed a total of 291.2 hours for treating 14 patients. In one period of two weeks, Terrence billed over a thousand hours treating patients and writing reports.
Between 2005 and 2012, Terrence submitted claims for psychological services in workers’ compensation cases totaling in excess of $5.6 million. This case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the California Department of Insurance, and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Mark J McKeon and Patrick R Delahunty are prosecuting the case. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count of the indictment.
Any sentence, however, would be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables. The charges are only allegations; the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Authorities Thursday announced federal indictments against a Bakersfield chiropractor and two others suspected of conspiracy to commit health care fraud and 15 counts of health care fraud.
Chiropractor Na Young Eoh, 41, of Bakersfield, and chiropractor Bahar Gharib-Danesh, 38, of Woodland Hills, were arrested Thursday; and clinical psychologist John Terrence, 72, of Marina Del Rey, was given a summons to voluntarily appear before the U.S. District Court in Fresno within the next 30 days.
Gharib-Danesh was a chiropractor and the manager of Pain Relief Health Centers (PRHC), according to the indictment returned on July 2. Los Angeles-based PRHC had clinics in Bakersfield, Visalia and Fresno, as well as in Los Angeles County. Eoh was the treating physician for PRHC’s Kern County workers’ compensation claims. Terrence was a clinical psychologist who saw patients from the Bakersfield clinic.
PRHC recruited workers claiming to have an injury, authorities said. In treating the patients, Gharib instructed her staff to add as many injured body parts for treatment as possible to generate higher billings. Nearly every patient was scheduled for the same treatments, and the maximum amount of treatments allowed by law was generally billed to the insurance company. Eoh operated out of the Bakersfield Clinic, the Visalia Clinic, and the Fresno Clinic and would sign the treatment plans and referral forms.
If insurers denied a claim of injury, a lien would be filed, and the claims would either be litigated before the California Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board or settled by negotiations through the parties, authorities said. Lien settlements for less than the full amount of the claim were acceptable because of the high volume of patients recruited and by the large amount of medical fees generated, authorities said.
Gharib directed Eoh to refer all patients who came into the clinic to Terrence for a psychological evaluation, regardless of the injury the patient reported, according to the indictment.
If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each count. (LINK) — 7/09/15
Sonora doctor, office manager arrested on felony drug charges
After a seven-month investigation, a Sonora doctor and her office manager were arrested Tuesday on felony drug charges.
Dr. Lori Beth Sostock, 46, and office manager Vanessa Lynn Sostock, 43, both of Sonora, were arrested at the doctor’s office, in the 800 block of Delnero Drive. The arrests were made by agents from the Tuolumne Narcotics Team assisted by Tuolumne County sheriff’s deputies and federal Drug Enforcement Administration investigators.
Vanessa Sostock
The women face a combined 56 felony counts, including conspiracy to commit sales or furnishing of controlled substances, illegal prescribing of controlled substances, and practicing medicine and/or prescribing controlled substances without a license.
During the investigation, search warrants were served at Lori Beth Sostock’s medical practice and her residence in the 600 block of Daybreak Court.
According to a news release from the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation has paralleled another probe of Sostock’s medical practice by the California Department of Consumer Affairs, the State Medical Board and federal Drug Enforcement Administration.
The women were booked into the Tuolumne County jail. The doctor’s bail was set at $200,000, and Vanessa Sostock’s bail was set at $100,000. As of early Wednesday afternoon, both suspects remained in custody at the jail. (LINK) — 7/8/15
Drug Bust Doctor’s License Yanked
The state medical board has taken steps to bar a local pain clinic physician, arrested earlier this month, from practicing medicine.
On Friday, the court granted the state medical board’s ex parte petition for an interim order to immediately suspend solo practitioner Dr. Lori Beth Sostock’s medical license, pending further adjudication at the doctor’s hearing, which has been scheduled for August 6.
As previously reported, Dr. Sostock, along with her partner and office manager Vanessa Lynn Sostock, were arrested on 56 felony drug-related charges following a seven-month investigation also involving the federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) as well as the state medical board and department of consumer affairs. The offenses against the two range from conspiracy to commit sales or furnishing controlled substances, to prescribing controlled substances without a license.
According to the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office, in addition to preventing Dr. Sostock from practicing any aspect of medicine within the state, the order prohibits her from making herself available or positioning herself as a medical practitioner in any capacity. She may not be present at any location where medicine is practiced for any purpose, except as a patient or as a visitor of family or friends.
Patients Seeking Medical Records
A recent sign posted on Sostock’s clinic door stated that the facility is closed indefinitely. However, upon patients’ requests, Dr. Sostock is required by law to provide them with copies of their medical records. County Health Officer Dr. Liza Ortiz, who is in communication with the medical board, indicates that her office has already received some copies of written patient requests. “We don’t need them,” she notes. “We’re not the enforcement authority, but we can see, through that, that people are already requesting the records.”
Dr. Ortiz points out that once patients formally request their records, Dr. Sostock has 15 days to furnish them. If, after that time has lapsed and they have still not received their documents, patients should then file a written or online complaint with the medical board. For more details on that, click here.
As soon as it sees complaints coming in, Ortiz explains, “[The board] may be able to speak to that office and have that physician release the records — and maybe that will happen immediately.” She adds that the physician has two weeks to comply with the medical board’s request for records. After that, she states, the board will then be able to subpoena the records. (LINK) — 7/21/15
Former Sonora physician pleads guilty in prescription case
Lori Sostock pleaded guilty Thursday to four felony counts involving improper prescribing of oxycodone at her medical practice.
Sostock, 46, who was arrested last July, entered the pleas in Tuolumne County Superior Court. Under the plea agreement, she will be sentenced to up to a year in jail and to five years of probation, District Attorney Laura Krieg said.
Vanessa Sostock, 44, the office manager at the Delnero Drive practice, pleaded guilty to one felony count and agreed to up to six months in jail and five years of probation.
Both will return for sentencing June 24. Lori Sostock, who had been a family practitioner, surrendered her state medical license March 30.
Lori Sostock pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit unlawful controlled substance prescription activity, sale and furnishing of controlled substances, practicing medicine without certification, and unlawful controlled substance prescription.
Vanessa Sostock pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit unlawful controlled substance prescription activity.
The arrests were made by agents from the Tuolumne Narcotics Team, assisted by county sheriff’s deputies and federal Drug Enforcement Administration investigators. (LINK) — 4/21/2016
Attorney General brings allegations against local doctor
A Washington area obstetrician is facing a complaint filed by the Indiana Attorney General before the Medical Licensing Board of Indiana. The Attorney General brought a 15-count complaint against Dr. Michael I. Baker. Dr. Baker is a practicing OB GYN in Washington and operates a practice in the Heartland OB GYN clinic.
The complaint filed by Indiana Attorney General Gregory Zoeller’s office accuses Dr. Baker of various offenses including, but not limited to; improper sexual relations with a patient, not documenting prescriptions of a controlled substance, not documenting visits and violation of HIPPA (patient privacy) laws.
The Attorney General claims that while serving as the obstetrician for a woman who had been his patient for a decade Dr. Baker began in November 2013 providing her private counseling at her home without billing her for services and without documenting her treatment. The complaint claims about six months later the woman made an office visit to Dr. Baker where he prescribed her anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication without documenting the visits, and that in December 2013 and March 2014 he wrote her prescriptions for Ambien.
The complaint before the Medical Licensing Board claims that from November 2013 to May 2014 Dr. Baker and the same patient became involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship.
The attorney general also alleges that in the spring 2014 Dr. Baker began providing counseling session for the woman’s brother-in-law in the brother-in-law’s home and during that time failed to maintain records of prescriptions and counseling sessions that were held. In addition, authorities claim Dr. Baker disclosed confidential patient information to the brother-in-law, including that he had previously treated a mutual friend’s wife for emotional complications she experienced following pregnancy.
Five of the counts against Dr. Baker stem from the allegations of the inappropriate sexual conduct with the female patient. The remaining counts accuse him of failing to maintain proper records of the treatment of the woman and her brother-in-law and the prescriptions they received. Other counts claim he was providing counseling without the proper training and for violating ethical standards by discussing another patient’s treatment with the brother-in-law.
The attorney general’s complaint has not been set for a hearing. The allegations are part of a Medical Licensing issue and Dr. Baker’s attorney stresses they are not criminal.
Speaking for Dr. Baker, his attorney, Kevin Betz of Betz and Blevins law firm, Indianapolis, claims the complaint is full of problems.
“It had many inaccuracies and the information is fundamentally flawed,” he said. “We are now gathering further documentation and information in response to that complaint.”
Betz declined to address any specifics in the attorney general’s action.
“Because this has just been filed we are focusing on everything in the complaint,” he said. “We have confirmed multiple inaccuracies and falsities. We are trying to track down everything and determine our next step.”
Baker intends to defend himself from the charges, according to his attorney.
“We have not filed a written response,” said Betz. “Dr. Baker does intend to answer the allegations with both documents and testimony. I believe this will result in a full exoneration of Dr. Baker.”
In the meantime, Dr. Baker will not be practicing at Daviess Community Hospital. At Dr. Baker’s request last Wednesday, DCH granted the doctor a leave of absence from his practicing privileges at the hospital. During that time he cannot deliver babies or do other medical procedures at DCH. “The leave of absence will continue until the allegations are resolved,” said Daviess Community Hospital CEO David Bixler. “We are going to let the process work through. We are aware of the action by the attorney general and the case before the licensing board. Now we are awaiting the final action.”
On Tuesday, the Washington Times Herald received documentation that Dr. Michael Baker, D.O., of Heartland OB/GYN had charges brought against him by the Office of the Indiana Attorney General, concerning his medical license.
The cause was filed on Dec. 20, 2014, and it states that Baker has been charged with 15 counts of various offenses including, but not limited to; improper sexual relations with a patient, not documenting prescriptions of a controlled substance, not documenting visits and violation of HIPPA laws. (LINK) — 01/20/2015
DOC: OB/GYN Physician had “inappropriate sexual relationship” with patient
One Washington, Indiana physician is set to go before Indiana’s Medical Licensing Review board in May following allegations that the physician took part in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient, provided the patient’s brother in-home counseling, and wrote undocumented prescriptions.
The information was disclosed in a consumer complaint filed by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office December 16, 2014. Dr. Michael Baker, who is named on Heartland OB/GYNs website, as a physician is named in the complaint. In total, the complaint details 15 claims that Dr. Baker allegedly took part in, starting in September of 2013 through April 2014.
David Bixler, CEO of Daviess Community Hospital, told News 10 via telephone Dr. Baker had voluntarily taken a leave of absence following the filing of the complaint. It was made clear that the complaint, is only an allegation, and Dr. Baker has not been charged with a crime. The complaint filed against Baker will be reviewed by Indiana’s Medical Licensing Board.
A spokesperson on behalf of the Indiana Attorney General’s office explained, in a complaint of this nature, the license review board serves as “judge and jury,” first determining whether a medical violation occurred. If the board finds cause, the spokesperson explained, it would then determine whether Baker’s license to practice would be suspended or revoked. It was also explained Baker could face fines. The board is set to hear evidence tentatively at its May 28 meeting.
An attorney for Dr. Baker, Kevin Betz, of Betz and Blevins told News 10 via telephone Wednesday afternoon the litigation wasn’t credible and lacked information.
“We have reviewed the complaint by the Attorney General’s office and have found multiple inaccuracies and believe it to be fundamentally false,” said Betz, “We are seeking further information I can tell you, and documents from the Attorney General’s Office and we’re waiting on their delivering of that information and documentation.” (LINK) — 2/4/15
Medical Licensing Board suspends license of local doctor accused of “inappropriate sexual relationship” with patient
A Washington physician who was accused of an inappropriate sexual relationship with a patient has had his license suspended by the Indiana Medical Licensing Board.
News 10 in February 2015 reported Dr. Michael Baker, who was named on Heartland OB/GYN’s website, had complaints filed against him involving sexual misconduct with a patient. The information was disclosed in a consumer complaint filed by the Indiana Attorney General’s Office December 16, 2014.
A spokesperson on behalf of the Indiana Attorney General’s office explained in February that in a complaint of this nature, the license review board serves as “judge and jury,” first determining whether a medical violation occurred.
This week the Medical Licensing Board voted to indefinitely suspend the license of Dr. Michael Baker, finding that he committed 11 counts of misconduct as alleged by the AG’s Office in its December 2014 complaint. The Board suspended Dr. Baker’s license indefinitely, but for a minimum of three months. At the expiration of three months, Baker will be able to petition for reinstatement.
For Baker to petition for reinstatement, he must complete 40 hours of Continuing Medical Education in various areas including ethics and controlled substance prescribing, a full psychiatric evaluation and ongoing care, and pay the $5,500 fine for the 11 counts of misconduct.
A Public Information Officer with the Indiana Attorney General’s Office told News 10 that ‘the specifics will be available at a later date when the Board issues its Order.’ (LINK) — 7/24/15
ON JUNE 26, 2015, A DISCIPLINARY PANEL OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL BOARD TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED, WITH NOTICE, THE TEXAS MEDICAL LICENSE OF GREGORY CARRINGTON COOKE, M.D., AFTER DETERMINING HIS CONTINUATION IN THE PRACTICE OF LABOR AND DELIVERY POSES A CONTINUING THREAT TO PUBLIC WELFARE.
ANGLETON OB/GYN TOLD HE CAN’T DELIVER BABIES ANYMORE
The Texas Medical Board has temporarily restricted an Angleton doctor from delivering babies citing a “continuing threat to the public and welfare” and three fetal deaths.
Dr. Gregory Cooke, 50, is an obstetrician and a gynecologist licensed since 1996. He had privileges at UTMB-Angleton campus which have been suspended, per the Board’s order.
According to the order dated June 26, the Board examined the treatment of six patients dating back to 2010. One was cleared, but five had tragic outcomes, including three fetal deaths, and there seems to be pattern.
In four cases, the Board found Dr. Cooke did not respond in a timely manner, despite calls and text messages from nurses.
For instance, in one case where the baby’s heart was slowing down, it took him almost two hours to arrive at the hospital and to perform an emergency C-section. The woman’s uterus had ruptured and the baby died.
In another case, he was delayed to “get through my office.” The baby was stillborn.
A nurse had to deliver another baby and in yet another case it took him 90 minutes to show up after he had ordered a patient to be prepped for a C-section.
Ultimately the Board panel found Dr. Cooke “engaged in a pattern of mismanagement of labor and delivery, resulting in adverse outcomes including fetal demise.”
“It doesn’t mean he has to quit practicing. They (the Board) just don’t want him delivering babies while they investigate further,” said Brian Tew, both a doctor and a lawyer who often represents doctors in front of the Texas Medical Board.
Courtney Newton, Cooke’s attorney said, “although the temporary suspension hearing was held by the medical board, the board did not suspend Dr. Cooke’s medical license. Instead they took temporary action, which he is appealing and we anticipate will be resolved at an expedited hearing.”
Cooke did not respond to a call requesting comment.
UTMB- Angleton Campus released this statement:
“Our patients’ safety is always our main concern. We take this action very seriously and we are looking into the situation.”
Cooke’s labor and delivery restriction stands until the Board takes further action. An appeal hearing has not yet been scheduled. (LINK) — 7/2/2015
Medical board revokes Angleton doctor’s license
ANGLETON — For six months after baby Kaitlyn Howard’s death, the breast milk meant for her nourished countless babies at The Woman’s Hospital of Texas.
Kaitlyn’s mother, Katherine Howard, wasn’t sure what to do with her milk at first, but each time she pumped, it brought her closer to the daughter she knew for only nine minutes. Unwilling to throw away the milk, she began donating it to the hospital where Kaitlyn was born.
“I don’t even know what happened to lead me to Texas Woman’s, but something did. I put a lot of effort into making sure I didn’t regret anything after she died,” Howard said. “I kept on doing it until eventually I was past the point where I didn’t think of her every time.”
Howard is one of six patients who filed complaints with the Texas Medical Board against Dr. Gregory Cooke, who specialized in obstetrics and gynecology with privileges at the UTMB Health Angleton Danbury Campus. Cooke had to immediately cease practice in Texas as of June 10 after the state board revoked his medical license.
The decision comes almost a year after a disciplinary panel banned Cooke from labor and delivery when they determined his pattern of mismanagement led to the deaths of two babies and the stillbirth of another.
A phone number could not be located for Cooke, and a UTMB Angleton Danbury spokesman declined comment.
REASON TO WORRY
Howard was 22 weeks pregnant when she awoke to painful contractions the night of Feb. 17, 2013. She said she sent two text messages informing Cooke, who was aware she had complications with her three previous pregnancies.
“We sat down and talked about it. I told him I want a plan if something happens because it was obviously getting worse every time I got pregnant,” Howard said.
Cooke told Howard the irregular contractions meant she wasn’t really in labor, she said. He told her to take her medication and lie down.
After going to dinner with her husband, Howard took a warm bath and went to bed, she said. At 2:30 a.m., she was jolted awake by contractions even more intense than the ones she had experienced earlier in the day.
Howard immediately called Cooke after realizing she was in labor. When he didn’t answer, she resorted to text messages, Facebook and a pager — all to no avail, she said.
“It was insane how many times both my husband and I called him,” Howard said.
After more than five hours of unsuccessful attempts to contact Cooke, Howard drove to The Woman’s Hospital of Texas in Houston. Doctors gave her terbutaline to delay labor, but warned her it likely wouldn’t work because she should have been at the hospital hours earlier, according to written testimony Howard provided the medical board.
“I remember people running around crying,” Howard said. “That’s my biggest memory.”
Fighting the pain of placental abruption and a small uterine tear, Howard gave birth to Kaitlyn after a 24-hour labor process. The newborn survived for nine minutes.
“I could not stand to let her die alone, so I held her. … I watched her die a painful and miserable death for nine long minutes,” Howard said in her testimony.
Howard went to Cooke’s office to request a prescription for antidepressants the day she was discharged from the hospital. When she confronted him about his lack of response, he smiled and said, “Sorry, my phone was on ‘do not disturb.’ No one gets through to me,’” according to her testimony.
“There was no compassion or concern in his response nor reflected in his facial expressions,” Howard said in her testimony. “I watched him give this type of response only 30 hours after my daughter had died.”
OTHER ISSUES
On another occasion, Cooke told a nurse via text message to hold off for an additional 30 minutes while the patient’s unborn baby’s fetal heart rate began to drop, according to the evidence made public by the board.
Additional delays led to Cooke attempting vaginal delivery of the baby by vacuum extraction. The baby was stillborn after an emergency C-section, the order states.
The panel also found Cooke had a sexual relationship with a patient, and made inappropriate sexual comments at work. Cooke acknowledged the inappropriate relationship, but maintained it was limited to communications of a sexual nature, according to the order.
Cooke signed an agreed order of revocation last month, which the board ratified at its June 10 meeting, Texas Medical Board spokesman Jarrett Schneider said via email.
He can petition the board to reissue his medical license one year from the effective date of the agreed order.
Howard began attending therapy sessions after Kaitlyn’s death, and still continues to do so three years later. Knowing Cooke can no longer practice medicine doesn’t ease the pain of losing her daughter, but Howard said she hoped her story inspires expectant mothers to trust their own instincts.
“People need to get second opinions,” Howard said. “It’s important to know that doctors are people, too, but it also means there’s a possibility of them not being good people.” (LINK) — 06/26/2016
MAN ACCUSED OF PRACTICING MEDICINE WITHOUT LICENSE
For several years, Emanuel Molinar had seen patients at the Harrisburg Clinic in Houston’s East End. A lot of them called him “doctor.”
On Monday, Molinar was released on $5,000 bond after being arrested and charged with practicing medicine without a license.
According to his attorney, Molinar is indeed a doctor. He graduated from medical school in Mexico, practiced there, then moved to the US.
Michael Lamson, who is Molinar’s attorney, says his client operated under the supervision of two clinic physicians who do hold Texas medical licenses.
A spokesman for the Texas Medical Board says it’s against state law to treat, diagnose or give a patient a physical exam without a proper medical license. The agency was also unaware of the case involving Molinar.
Law enforcement sources say the arrest followed a visit by an undercover officer who saw Molinar at the clinic. The officer claimed to have a sore throat, and was offered an injection to treat it. The injection was declined.
The same sources also say a patient accused Molinar of performing a pap smear and taking a picture.
Molinar’s attorney questions both of those allegations, saying, “if that happened why isn’t he charged with that?”
The clinic did not comment on the arrest.
His first court appearance is scheduled for next month. (LINK) — 7/6/15
Doctor Fined For Failure To Provide Medical Records
CALIFORNIA—The state Medical Board is taking action against a doctor exposed in a Call Kurtis investigation.
Dr. Glenda Goodwin has now been fined $1,500. It stems from a months-long ordeal involving a state worker who said her surgery was held up because Goodwin wouldn’t turn over her medical records.
“It’s hard to describe, but I feel lighter almost,” says Stephanie Small.
Small was in pain, but happy, just days after getting a long-awaited surgery. On her way to recovery, she’s doing much better than when we met her over the summer.
“It’s pretty painful, it’s pelvic pain, pain down my leg,” Stephanie told us in July.
Suffering from endometriosis, she needed that surgery, but she says doctors weren’t willing to perform it without seeing her medical records.
Stephanie says Goodwin, her OB/GYN, became unresponsive and ignored requests since last October to turn over Stephanie’s file. Under state law, doctors have 15 days within a patient’s request to comply.
“She never called, she never wrote, she never emailed,” Stephanie told us.
It wasn’t until our first story aired that Stephanie says her medical group approved the surgery, without her records. But she was disappointed with the Medical Board’s slow response. She complained to them in November.
“I have to say that the Medical Board has frustrated me because they took their time and because of that I had to wait for surgery,” says Stephanie.
The Medical Board finally obtained Stephanie’s records in August and now it is fining Dr. Goodwin $1,000 for the delay. In its citation, the Medical Board says “From February 1, 2011, you failed to provide the Medical Board of California, medical records or copies of the medical records of one patient (S.S.), within 15 days of receipt of the request.”
The state also fined Goodwin another $500 for not providing Stephanie with her complete records.
Goodwin has 30 days to appeal or pay each citation.
Stephanie says the Medical Board is still investigating her original complaint, which claimed Dr. Goodwin abandoned her.
“I believe she should treat every patient as if it was her daughter or her mother,” says Stephanie.
After her surgery, she’s now on her way to living a normal, pain-free life.
“I can see that light at the end of the tunnel. It was worth the fight,” says Stephanie.
We reached out to Dr. Goodwin’s office and staff there blamed their software company for the record delay. The software company denies that. (LINK) — 10/11/11
Doctor Could Lose License After Ignoring Patient
We first told you about Dr. Glenda Goodwin in July 2011 when one of her patients struggled getting her own medical records.
This new accusation says failing to hand over those records was just one of several violations in our viewer Stephanie Small’s case.
“I think her license needs to be pulled, absolutely,” Stephanie said of her former OB-GYN.
The accusation filed against Goodwin accuses her of negligence.
When we first met Stephanie in 2011, she was suffering from endometriosis and waiting for surgery. Stephanie says following a previous surgery performed by Goodwin, the doctor suddenly stopped treating her and cut off communication.
“I wasn’t successful in reaching her via phone, email and even going to her office, so at that time, I didn’t know what to do,” Stephanie said.
And she says she couldn’t get her next surgery without her medical records from Goodwin.
Under state law, doctors have 15 days to comply with a patient’s request for their records.
Stephanie filed a complaint with the Medical Board of California and eventually got her records.
Dr. Goodwin was hit with $750 in fines, but now faces more serious charges.
“She’s accused of what’s called gross negligence and multiple counts of gross negligence,” said Cassandra Hockenson with the medical board.
In the accusation, the board alleges Goodwin failed to “adequately treat” Stephanie, kept sloppy records, and then abandoned her.
“Not only did they not help me find treatment, they didn’t refer me to anybody either,” Stephanie said. “And it was basically ‘We don’t want to have anything else to do with you, so please leave.’”
If Goodwin contests the charges, she’ll get a hearing before an administrative law judge who will recommend what, if any, penalty she should face.
“She could lose her license—she could be suspended,” Hockenson said.
And Stephanie, still ailing from her endometriosis, may be called to testify at the hearing.
“I’m just happy that we’re at this point. I just hope that the final result will end in something that is considered justice,” she said.
Dr. Goodwin did not reply to our request for a comment or interview. She’s listed as the OB-GYN for Trinity Total Healthcare, which used to be in Elk Grove, but her voicemail says they’ve recently moved to El Dorado Hills. (LINK) — 4/23/13
Sacramento doctor disciplined for negligence — again
The state medical board has placed a Sacramento doctor on probation for five years for negligent care and bad recordkeeping.
Dr. Glenda Goodwin is required to take education, recordkeeping and ethics classes. Her practice will be monitored and she can’t supervise physician assistants or nurse practitioners until probation is over.
This is not the first time Goodwin, an obstetrician/gynecologist, has been censured by the Medical Board of California. She was publicly reprimanded in 2008 for gross negligence and was cited and fined twice in 2012 for problems with her medical records.
Goodwin no longer works for the Elk Grove office listed in medical board records. Calls to Robert Zaro, her attorney, were not returned.
Legal documents filed by the medical board include the following accusations:
Gross negligence in her failure to evaluate a patient’s pelvic pain in 2010, failure to provide appropriate follow-up treatment and failure to produce medical records. This case accounts for $250 and $500 record-keeping fines paid in 2012.
Unprofessional conduct and failure to provide patient records after a patient who used to see Goodwin in her El Dorado Hills office called for an appointment in 2013 and got a recorded message that said the office had moved.
Gross negligence, abandonment and failure to provide medical records when a patient tried to get test results and a prescription refill in 2012 but never got an answer. When the patient asked for her medical records, they were not sent.
Gross negligence, lack of medical records, improper supervision, lack of a good-faith exam and failure to treat burns during care in 2011 for a patient with vitiligo, a skin rash that causes blotches. The doctor performed no physical exam before she performed laser treatment — and the same thing happened when a nurse practitioner and physician assistant provided treatment at a later visit. The patient told these providers the laser was too hot and they responded that “pain is the price for beauty.”
Gross negligence due to delay in performing a caesarean section in 2006 after a fetal heart rate monitor showed fetal distress.
Goodwin signed an agreement in March to accept probation and the other conditions. It took effect July 10. (LINK) — 7/22/15
Redwood City: Acupuncturist accused of touching patient inappropriately
REDWOOD CITY – A 65-year-old acupuncturist suspected of inappropriately touching a female patient was arrested Monday at his office, according to the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office.
Randall Neustaedter, an oriental medicine doctor who practices holistic medicine, was taken into custody at his office on Woodside Road and booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility on two counts of forcible act of sexual penetration, according to the sheriff’s office.
Neustaedter is out of custody on $200,000.00 bail and is scheduled to make his first court appearance on Aug. 21.
Neustaedter could not immediately be reached for comment.
Authorities say a 27-year-old Bay Area woman reported in late June she was sexually assaulted during an acupuncture massage appointment. The woman told detectives she purchased a Groupon for a series of acupuncture treatments. After several appointments, Neustaedter offered her acupuncture massage, which she accepted. The woman told investigators she was “inappropriately and deliberately” touched by Neustaedter.
The sheriff’s office said its detectives conducted an investigation which resulted in “obtaining evidence sufficient” to arrest Neustaedter.
The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone who believes they may have additional information about this, or any other related incident, to call Detective Scott Berberian at 650-363-4051 or via email at [email protected].
Anyone wishing to remain anonymous can call the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 1-800-547-2700. (LINK) — 7/16/15
Doctor pleads not guilty to sexually assaulting patient: DA says more victims could come forward against Redwood City acupuncturist
A Redwood City doctor accused of sexually assaulting a female patient during an acupuncture session two months ago appeared in court Friday morning.
65-year-old Randall Neustaedter pleaded not guilty in San Mateo County Superior Court to sexual battery and sexual penetration charges stemming from the June incident, according to prosecutors.
During the arraignment, a judge ordered Neustaedter not to perform any acupuncture sessions or have any visits from female patients without a medical board-appointed chaperone present, prosecutors said.
Neustaedter is out of custody on $200,000 bail. He’ll appear in court next on Oct. 22 for a preliminary hearing.
Earlier this year, a woman bought three acupuncture sessions with Neustaedter, who lists himself as a doctor of Oriental medicine, at his business on Woodside Road. The woman had found Neustaedter’s business using the online discount service Groupon.
The first two sessions were uneventful, according to prosecutors.
On June 25, the day of her third session, the woman said Neustaedter began fondling her genitals as he was giving her a massage and then pressed his erect penis against her arm. The woman became terrified and left the session, prosecutors said.
When the victim told her friends about the incident, her friends convinced her to call the sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Neustaedter and the arrest was published in a local newspaper, according to prosecutors.
Another victim read the article and decided to come forward to the sheriff’s office, describing a similar incident at the hands of Neustaedter in Dec. 2013, prosecutors said.
A recorded telephone call between Neustaedter and one of the victims provided further evidence against him, prosecutors said.
With the case garnering further news coverage, District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said he anticipates more victims may come forward.
The Attorney General’s Office has filed a motion recommending the court suspend Neustaedter’s license to practice, according to prosecutors.
A defense attorney representing Neustaedter was not immediately available for comment. (LINK) — 8/22/2015
South Bay woman sues doctors after post-surgery infection leads to loss of arms, legs
A South Bay woman who lost her arms and legs to a massive infection following a hysterectomy at Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Torrance filed a malpractice lawsuit Tuesday against the hospital and eight doctors.
Annette Ramirez, 48, a wife and mother of a 6-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, remains hospitalized following numerous surgeries to repair the damage since the Aug. 1 operation, said her attorney, Bruce Fagel, who also practiced medicine.
“She can’t do anything for herself and is going to require 24-hour care,” Fagel said. “She is mentally normal and can converse and talk. She is totally dependent on others and always will be.”
Ramirez’s physician, James Scharffenberger, 57, of Rolling Hills, did not return a message to his Torrance office. Patricia Aidem, a spokeswoman for Providence Health & Services, the Torrance hospital’s parent company, declined to comment immediately.
According to the complaint filed at the Torrance courthouse, Ramirez, a director of reunions for the Alumni Association at USC, underwent elective surgery to remove a benign growth on her uterus.
Scharffenberger and another doctor, Lisa Fisher, performed laparoscopic surgery, inserting a camera and instruments into Ramirez’s abdominal cavity through small incisions in the skin. One of the instruments poked a hole in her colon, Fagel said.
The injury went unnoticed and doctors recorded that the procedure was “without complication,” Fagel said.
During the next 40 hours, Ramirez showed signs of infection, including low blood pressure, a rapid heartbeat and low urine output.
“Dr. Scharffenberger ignored the concern of nurses who reported her abnormal vital signs, and he instead ordered pain medication and an enema, which increased the spillage of bowel contents, causing peritonitis,” Fagel said.
Two days later, a CT scan discovered the perforated bowel.
Ramirez was taken back to surgery and given medication to increase her blood pressure. After several days, her skin began to turn black from gangrene. She underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and was transferred to the Torrance Memorial Medical Center burn center, where doctors amputated portions of her arms and legs.
The lawsuit says the woman lost both legs above the ankle, her right arm above her elbow, and her left arm above the wrist.
“She knows she’s lost her arms and legs. She knows she’s never going to be able to take care of her young children,” Fagel said. “She’s never going to be able to go back to work.”
The lawsuit seeks damages for negligence, loss of consortium and home services.
“Basically, what occurred here is a complication of this particular kind of surgery, which if they had recognized it and treated it right away would have been nothing. It would have been no big deal,” Fagel said. “It would have been treatable and dealt with.”
Scharffenberger earned his medical degree in 1981 at Georgetown University School of Medicine. The California Medical Board website shows he has a clean record with no disciplinary actions or malpractice settlements.
In addition to Ramirez, the lawsuit lists her husband and children as plaintiffs. In addition to the hospital, Scharffenberger and Fisher, the lawsuit lists other defendants as Drs. Lubna Naqi, Fikret Atamdede, Timothy McGillivray, David J. Scott, Steven Sawelson and Eric Yang. (LINK) — 12/16/2012
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License renewed & current; Accusation Filed; The physician has not had a hearing or been found guilty of any charges as of 7/5/2015 PDF
STATE GOES AFTER MEDICAL LICENSES OF TWO DOCTORS
Two Bakersfield doctors, including the chief of surgery at Kern Medical Center, are accused of negligence in separate accusations the California Medical Board filed this month.
KMC surgeon Dr. Maureen Martin had to bring in a plastic surgeon to reconstruct a 16-year-old girl’s breast after an operation on a cyst left the girl’s breast deformed, according to an accusation against her filed June 2.
Dr. William Bichai is accused of misdiagnosing patients, providing substandard care, and in one case ignoring a request to not take extraordinary measures in the treatment of a terminally ill patient who was intubated, according to a June 1 filing.
Neither of the doctors returned telephone calls seeking an interview.
KMC issued a statement saying the case against Martin was between her and the medical board, and that “Dr. Martin intends to vigorously defend herself against the allegations contained in the accusation.”
The case against Martin stems from an Aug. 16, 2013, surgery on a small cyst in a teenage girl’s left breast that appeared to be infected, according to the accusation.
Initial lab work had shown the mass to be benign, but during the surgery, Martin became concerned some of the tissue was neoplastic, or becoming a tumor. A portion of the mass was frozen and sent to pathology at 9:19 a.m., the filing says.
Some time between 9:25 a.m. and 9:41 a.m., a pathologist reported back that the mass did not appear malignant, but Martin remained concerned and expanded her incision to mobilize and dissect around the mass, according to the accusation.
As she prepared to remove it, Martin realized that doing so would leave a “fairly large defect and deformity to the breast,” according to the accusation, so she summoned a plastic surgeon.
As the plastic surgeon was en route, Martin left the operating room to discuss the findings and surgical options with the girl’s mother, who was waiting in the hospital, according to the state.
Martin told the medical board she “briefly discussed” surgical options with the girl’s mother, who told her to do what she thought was best.
Martin completed a nipple-sparing mastectomy, and the plastic surgeon put in a breast implant.
The medical board accused Martin of doing the mastectomy to “cover an unauthorized procedure that was essentially already done prior to the informed consent being obtained.”
The board also said “based on the lack of a definitive diagnosis or any life threatening situation,” the expanded incision was not warranted and resulted in the need for a much bigger procedure than had been initially agreed to.
The state also accused Martin of poor record keeping for allegedly failing to record that she obtained informed consent during the surgery.
Bichai is accused of poor treatment of six patients, including placing people on hemodialysis unnecessarily, overmedicating a dialysis patient, and ignoring a family’s request to refrain from aggressive measures with a terminally ill cancer patient.
The 80-year-old man was intubated anyway, according to the complaint. That’s a procedure in which a breathing tube is inserted in the trachea for mechanical ventilation.
Martin’s state medical license was first issued Dec. 6, 2002, and will expire on Feb. 29, 2016, if not renewed.
Bichai’s medical license was issued Aug. 19, 2005, and is good through Feb. 28, 2017.
Both doctors are entitled to an administrative hearing. They could lose their medical license or be ordered to undergo additional medical training during a probationary period. (LINK) 6/23/15
Medical Board withdraws accusation against doctor, documents show
A California Medical Board accusation filed against a Bakersfield doctor last June alleging poor treatment of patients has been withdrawn, according to medical board documents the physician provided The Californian Wednesday.
A spokeswoman for the Medical Board said she could not confirm the agency had withdrawn the accusation against Dr. William Bichai but stressed there is nothing negative in the licensing information it has for him.
In general, when the Medical Board withdraws an accusation against a physician, she said, the agency removes accusation documents from its website and there are no public records available on the case.
But the medical board documents Bichai forwarded The Californian are clear that “the first amended accusation in the above-entitled case is hereby withdrawn.” They’re dated March 3 of this year.
In a statement, Bichai’s attorney, Peter Osinoff, said: “Dr. Bichai presented evidence showing he acted within the standard of care and the medical board acted responsibly by withdrawing its case against him.” (LINK)—3/09/2016
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS—License renewed & current; Accusation Filed; The physician has not had a hearing or been found guilty of any charges as of 7/5/2015 PDF
STATE GOES AFTER MEDICAL LICENSES OF TWO DOCTORS
Two Bakersfield doctors, including the chief of surgery at Kern Medical Center, are accused of negligence in separate accusations the California Medical Board filed this month.
KMC surgeon Dr. Maureen Martin had to bring in a plastic surgeon to reconstruct a 16-year-old girl’s breast after an operation on a cyst left the girl’s breast deformed, according to an accusation against her filed June 2.
Dr. William Bichai is accused of misdiagnosing patients, providing substandard care, and in one case ignoring a request to not take extraordinary measures in the treatment of a terminally ill patient who was intubated, according to a June 1 filing.
Neither of the doctors returned telephone calls seeking an interview.
KMC issued a statement saying the case against Martin was between her and the medical board, and that “Dr. Martin intends to vigorously defend herself against the allegations contained in the accusation.”
The case against Martin stems from an Aug. 16, 2013, surgery on a small cyst in a teenage girl’s left breast that appeared to be infected, according to the accusation.
Initial lab work had shown the mass to be benign, but during the surgery, Martin became concerned some of the tissue was neoplastic, or becoming a tumor. A portion of the mass was frozen and sent to pathology at 9:19 a.m., the filing says.
Some time between 9:25 a.m. and 9:41 a.m., a pathologist reported back that the mass did not appear malignant, but Martin remained concerned and expanded her incision to mobilize and dissect around the mass, according to the accusation.
As she prepared to remove it, Martin realized that doing so would leave a “fairly large defect and deformity to the breast,” according to the accusation, so she summoned a plastic surgeon.
As the plastic surgeon was en route, Martin left the operating room to discuss the findings and surgical options with the girl’s mother, who was waiting in the hospital, according to the state.
Martin told the medical board she “briefly discussed” surgical options with the girl’s mother, who told her to do what she thought was best.
Martin completed a nipple-sparing mastectomy, and the plastic surgeon put in a breast implant.
The medical board accused Martin of doing the mastectomy to “cover an unauthorized procedure that was essentially already done prior to the informed consent being obtained.”
The board also said “based on the lack of a definitive diagnosis or any life threatening situation,” the expanded incision was not warranted and resulted in the need for a much bigger procedure than had been initially agreed to.
The state also accused Martin of poor record keeping for allegedly failing to record that she obtained informed consent during the surgery.
Bichai is accused of poor treatment of six patients, including placing people on hemodialysis unnecessarily, overmedicating a dialysis patient, and ignoring a family’s request to refrain from aggressive measures with a terminally ill cancer patient.
The 80-year-old man was intubated anyway, according to the complaint. That’s a procedure in which a breathing tube is inserted in the trachea for mechanical ventilation.
Martin’s state medical license was first issued Dec. 6, 2002, and will expire on Feb. 29, 2016, if not renewed.
Bichai’s medical license was issued Aug. 19, 2005, and is good through Feb. 28, 2017.
Both doctors are entitled to an administrative hearing. They could lose their medical license or be ordered to undergo additional medical training during a probationary period. (LINK) 6/23/15
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