Medical Disciplinary Actions

The Medical Board of California licenses physicians and other medical professionals. It also investigates medical complaints and issues disciplinary actions. The most serious penalties include license revocation, suspension and probation.

These are the Los Angeles County medical professionals subject to serious disciplinary actions between Oct. 1, 1990, and Feb. 28, 1991, according to medical board documents. Final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

DOCTORS:

Cesar O. Castillo, M.D., Monterey Park. Conviction for assault with a firearm. Failure to comply with an order compelling a psychiatric examination. License revoked. Effective Jan. 12.

Gerald Fein, M.D., Torrance. Conviction for battery. Revocation of license stayed; placed on probation for five years. Effective Jan. 25.

Daniel S. Gobaud, M.D., Montclair. Dishonesty in filing false billings to insurance companies for services not performed. Unnecessary diagnostic procedures in one case. False entry in patient’s chart. Revocation of license stayed; placed on probation for five years. Effective Feb. 10.

Harold Kapen, M.D., Rancho Palos Verdes. Gross negligence, repeated negligent acts and incompetence in anesthesiology practice, resulting in death of patient and criminal conviction for involuntary manslaughter. License revoked. Effective Feb. 9.

Mely Salanga, M.D., Cerritos. Conviction of criminal conspiracy and one count of attempted insurance fraud in connection with a personal injury mill involving false injuries, unnecessary treatments, repeated negligent acts and dishonesty. License revoked. Effective Oct. 2, 1990.

Mesfin Seyoum, M.D. Beverly Hills. Federal conviction of 60 counts of unlawful distribution of Preludin, Citra Forte, Ritalin, Doriden and APC No. 4 through prescriptions not for a legitimate medical purpose. License revoked. Effective Oct. 11, 1990.

Norman Zucker, M.D., Los Angeles. Disciplined by state of Washington Medical Board for incompetent and unsafe practice in several cases. License revoked. Effective Feb. 4.

ACUPUNCTURIST:

Jong Hooire Yeum, Los Angeles. Conviction for bribery. Revocation of license stayed; placed on probation for five years. Effective Nov. 5, 1990.

HEARING AID DISPENSER:

Nelton Robertson, Los Angeles. Conviction for Medi-Cal fraud. Violated terms and conditions of probation under prior discipline. License revoked. Effective Feb. 4.

PSYCHOLOGIST:

John Anderson, Manhattan Beach. Sexual relations with a female patient. Revocation of license stayed; placed on probation for seven years. Effective Dec. 5, 1990.

REGISTERED DISPENSING OPTICIANS:

Mario Vitale, Contact Lens Center, Los Angeles, and Ana Vitale-Dondero, Contact Lens Center and Optical Boutique, Huntington Park. Fitted and sold contact lenses on numerous occasions where the prescriptions did not expressly authorize contact lenses. Revocation of license stayed; licenses of both opticians suspended for 30 days; license of the Contact Lens Center suspended for 20 days. Both opticians placed on probation for two years. Effective Oct. 18, 1990.

RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS:

David L. Cartwright, Los Angeles. Obtained license with false application concealing a criminal conviction for solicitation of a lewd act. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for six months. Placed on probation for two years. Effective Oct. 30, 1990.

Harold Jay Howard, Los Angeles. Procured license through false application concealing inadequate training. License revoked. Effective Jan. 19.

Anthony Lewis, Los Angeles. Conviction for sexual battery on an institutionalized victim. License revoked. Effective Dec. 21, 1990.

Raymond M. Marino, Palmdale. Procured license by making false statement regarding prior convictions in his license application. Revocation of license stayed; placed on probation for four years. Effective Oct. 1, 1990.

Christopher R. Penny, Long Beach. Conviction of lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14. License revoked. Effective Dec. 3, 1990.

Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento.