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. Stay orders do not occur in “stipulated decisions,” which are negotiated settlements where further appeals to the courts are waived.

Following are the Orange County medical professionals subject to serious disciplinary actions (broken down by medical specialties), according to the California Medical Board Action report dated July 1, 1990 to Sept. 30, 1990 and an issue of the California Medical Board Hot Sheet, a monthly summary of disciplinary matters, dated Nov. 5, 1990.

PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS:

Frederick Berkowitz, MD, Anaheim Engaged in dishonest conspiracy to defraud insurance companies through false medical records, false hospital records, and fraudulent billings to justify large payments for cosmetic surgeries (tummy tucks, eyelids, nose jobs, etc.) not covered by health insurance. License revoked, stayed, six years probation on terms and conditions, including six months suspension. Effective Sept. 6, 1990.

Hansel Benvenuti, MD, Newport Beach Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings. Effective Aug. 4, 1990.

Richard Alvin Romig, MD, Fullerton License revoked, stayed, probation, suspension. Decision effective Oct. 5, 1990.

Trung Thanh Ngo, MD, Westminster License revoked, stayed, probation, suspension. Stipulated decision effective Oct. 1, 1990.

REGISTERED DISPENSING OPTICIAN:

Bo-An Dang Optical, Garden Grove Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings. Effective Aug. 22, 1990.

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