Medical Board Votes to Revoke Gynecologist’s License

The state agency that certifies doctors has formally voted to remove the license of controversial gynecologist Ivan C. Namihas, who maintained an office here.

The action was widely expected since Dr. Namihas last month declined to defend himself at an administrative hearing. He was charged at that hearing with sexually abusing or otherwise mistreating more than 60 female patients.

After Namihas did not show up at the administrative hearing, state prosecutors asked the Medical Board of California to issue a default judgment against him. The medical board, which licenses doctors, on Wednesday announced that its disciplinary panel had issued such a judgment--in effect finding the gynecologist guilty of all the charges against him.

Janie Cordray, a spokeswoman for the board, said Namihas’ license revocation will take effect July 3. She noted that the doctor cannot practice in the meantime because a restraining order issued against him by the Orange County Superior Court remains in effect.

“Dr. Namihas cannot reapply to practice until 1995, and I think it is unlikely that he will reapply,” Cordray said.

Namihas last month sent the medical board a letter saying he was declining to defend himself at an administrative hearing because “the media has unmercifully indicted, prosecuted, convicted and professionally executed me before a hearing could be held.”