Countywide : CLIPBOARD : Medical Board Disciplinary Actions

The Medical Board of California, formerly known as the Board of Medical Quality Assurance, licenses physicians and other medical professionals. The board also investigates medical complaints and issues disciplinary actions. The most serious penalties include license revocation, suspension and probation.

Each decision becomes operative on the “effective date” unless a stay order is granted by a court upon the request of the licensee filing for judicial review, which may be after the preparation of a medical board report. “Stipulated Decisions” are negotiated settlements where further appeals to the courts are waived. Accusation “withdrawn” or “dismissed” means the charges were dropped by the Medical Board before the matter went to an administrative hearing; or the matter went to litigation and the respondent-licensee prevailed either at an administrative level or at the various court levels.

Following are the Orange County medical professionals who are subject to serious disciplinary actions (broken down by medical specialties), according to two issues of the California Medical Board Hot Sheet, a monthly summary of disciplinary matters, dated Sept. 10 and Oct. 2, 1990.

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS:

Hansel Benvenuti, MD, Newport Beach

Stipulated decision effective Aug. 17, 1990. Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings.

Marshall K. Grossman, MD, Irvine

Accusation withdrawn Aug. 22, 1990. Matter is being reconsidered and may be refiled.

Frederick Berkowitz, MD, Anaheim

License revoked, stayed. Six years’ probation with terms and conditions, six-month suspension. Effective Sept. 9, 1990

Michael V. Elam, MD, Newport Beach

License revoked. Judicial review filed; stay order issued. Effective Sept. 5, 1990.

REGISTERED DISPENSING OPTICIANS:

Bo-An Dang Optical, Garden Grove

Stipulated decision effective Aug. 22, 1990. Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings.

Note: Information about how to file a complaint may be obtained by calling the Medical Board of California’s Santa Ana office at (714) 558-4452.

Source: Medical Board of California