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 physicians and surgeons subject to serious disciplinary actions between Feb. 1 and April 30, 1997, according to Medical Board documents. Generally final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

George Wayman Blakely Jr. MD, Duarte: Misdemeanor criminal conviction of obtaining controlled substances--Percodan, hydrocodone and diazepam--by fraud, deceit and misrepresentation. Prescribed drugs without having conducted or documented good-faith medical examinations and / or the medical indications therefore. Revocation of license stayed; seven years’ probation. Effective Feb. 28.

Larry Melvin Colman MD, Palos Verdes Estates: Performed a negligent chemical face peel on one patient, and cut another patient’s nerve when removing a lymph node from her neck. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective March 3.

Hosni Nagib Fahmy MD, Los Angeles: Failed to diagnose and properly treat a patient with an ectopic pregnancy, resulting in the patient’s death. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective Dec. 17, 1996.

Geetha Viswanath Gabbita MD, Whittier: Inappropriately treated a patient after an automobile accident. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective April 14.

Buford Gibson Jr. MD, Inglewood: Felony criminal conviction for grand theft for submitting false claims to the Medi-Cal program and failing to file a tax return. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective March 17.

Jeff Harris MD, Malibu: Prescribed Halcion, a controlled substance, without a good-faith examination or medical indication to one patient over a four-year period. Revocation of license stayed; three years’ probation. Effective March 12.

Mehdi Jandaghi MD, Agoura Hills: Threatened the personal safety of personnel of the Medical Board’s Diversion Program and impersonated another licensed medical practitioner when making these threats. License revoked. Effective April 14.

Joong Tai Kim MD, Los Angeles: Felony criminal conviction for filing a false income tax return and failed to comply with the terms and conditions of prior probation. License revoked. Effective April 4.

Jacinto Lopez MD, Huntington Park: Negligence and incompetence in management and treatment of a second-trimester abortion. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective April 10.

Accie M. Mitchell MD, Los Angeles: Misdemeanor criminal conviction for dispensing a prescription for a dangerous device in violation of Business and Professions Code section 4387.1. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Feb. 18.

Michael J. Rosenthal MD, Claremont: Charged with gross negligence and incompetence in his care and treatment of two patients. No admissions but agrees to stipulated penalty. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective March 26.

Mark Ruddick MD, Los Angeles: Gross negligence, incompetence and repeated negligent acts in treating two female patients. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 60 days; seven years’ probation. Effective March 28.

Khosro Vahid MD, Brentwood: Charged with making telephone solicitations for free examinations, gross negligence, incompetence, excessive use of diagnostic procedures in the care and treatment of several patients and submitting false insurance claims. No admissions but agrees to a stipulated penalty. Revocation of license stayed; three years’ probation. Effective April 23.

* A lesser form of discipline that can be negotiated for minor violations before or after the filing of formal charges (accusations). The licensee is chastised in the form of a letter that becomes a part of his or her public record.

Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento.