Medical Disciplinary Actions

The Medical Board of California licenses physicians and other medical professionals. It also investigates complaints about medical treatment 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 Nov. 1, 1993, and Jan. 31, 1994, according to medical board documents. Final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

DOCTORS

Dolores Aguilar MD, Los Angeles: Gross negligence in obstetrical care and management of existing pregnancy. Unwilling to be on probation. License revoked. Effective Dec. 17, 1993.

Robert A. Gutstein MD, Agoura Hills: Conviction for securities fraud, wire fraud and conspiracy. Revocation of license stayed; five years probation. Effective Dec. 17, 1993.

Tad E. Lonergan MD, Glendale: Conviction on three counts of prescribing controlled substances to a person not under treatment for pathology or condition. Revocation of license stayed; five years probation. Effective Jan. 1, 1994.

Michael McBay MD, Hollywood: Self use of controlled substances. Failed to complete diversion treatment program. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 60 days; five years probation. Effective Nov. 19, 1993.

Lemmon McMillan MD, Venice: Gross negligence, repeated negligent acts and incompetence in obstetrical practice. Thirty-day suspension of license stayed; three years probation. Effective Jan. 21, 1994.

Sidney Messer MD, Los Angeles: Treated patient over the years with a variety of drugs, vitamins and therapy under medical diagnosis not supported by laboratory findings, radiologic evaluations or objective clinical evidence. Excessive treatment, gross negligence, repeated negligence, incompetence. License revoked. Effective Dec. 4, 1993.

Gail Ross MD, Downey: Repeated negligent acts in psychiatric practice in failing to make timely hospital visits and failing to make timely entries in hospital charts. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 30 days; five years probation. Effective Nov. 29, 1993.

Potenciano Tampoya MD, Glendale: Conviction on nine counts of violating statutes regulating controlled substances. Excessive and indiscriminate prescribing to abusers and addicts. False document. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended until criminal probation is terminated; five years probation. Effective Jan. 28, 1994.

ACUPUNCTURIST Soo Bong Kim, Norwalk: Allowed his unlicensed son to practice acupuncture at his clinic. Revocation of license stayed; five years probation. Effective Nov. 29, 1993.

PHYSICAL THERAPISTS Sandra D. Paramore, Los Angeles: Conviction for transportation and sale of PCP (phencyclidine). Revocation of license stayed; license suspended 60 days; three years probation. Effective Dec. 3, 1993.

Thomas Frank Strafaci, Covina: Physical therapy assistant criminally convicted of holding himself out as a registered physical therapist. Revocation of physical therapy assistant license stayed; license suspended 30 days; five years probation. Effective Nov. 28, 1993.

REGISTERED DISPENSING OPTICIAN S&S; Optiks, Inglewood: Unlawfully sharing office space with an eye-care practitioner and advertising the furnishing of optometric services. Firm fined $1,000. Effective Nov. 26, 1993.

PSYCHOLOGIST Kenneth Louden, Rosemead: Sexual misconduct. License revoked. Effective Jan. 7, 1994.

RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONERS Billy R. Thomas, Los Angeles: Conviction for felony drunk driving with bodily injury. Ninety-day suspension of license stayed; license suspended for five days; three years probation. Effective Nov. 15, 1993.

Michael A. Switzer, La Puente: Convictions for alcohol-related offenses. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 90 days; five years probation. Effective Nov. 21, 1993.

Mitchell D. Ramirez, Sylmar: Conviction of willful infliction of corporeal injury on a spouse. Intemperate use of alcohol. Revocation of license stayed; five years probation. Effective Jan. 9, 1994.

Arthur R. Loya, Canoga Park: Conviction for sale of rock cocaine. Self-abuse of controlled substances. Conviction for writing bad check with intent to defraud. License revoked. Effective Jan. 17, 1994.

Charles J. Caposino, Azusa: Conviction for battery on a parking ticket officer. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 60 days; five years probation. Effective Jan. 17, 1994.

Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento