Doctor in Abortion Case Pleads Not Guilty

Gordon Goei, a doctor with a long history of disciplinary actions, pleaded not guilty Monday to charges of unlawfully practicing medicine after he performed an abortion last week that left his patient bleeding uncontrollably and a 26-week-old fetus in a trash bag at the Van Nuys clinic where he worked, authorities said.

Goei, 57, also faces one count of performing an illegal abortion, said Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles district attorney’s office. A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 30 in Van Nuys Municipal Court, she said.

Goei was arrested Thursday at his home on Coldwater Canyon Avenue in Studio City after his 42-year-old patient was taken by ambulance to Northridge Hospital Medical Center.

Although the doctor was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of the fetus, the district attorney’s office later determined that there was not enough evidence to support the murder charge, Gibbons said.

Goei’s bail was set at $75,000.

Goei, who has been disciplined several times since 1979, was placed on probation by the Medical Board of California in September.

Effective March 13, his license was suspended because he failed a medical certification exam required to maintain his probationary status, according to a medical board spokeswoman. As a result, Goei should not have been practicing when he performed the abortion at the Family Medical Group clinic at 6900 Van Nuys Blvd., she said.

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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 Nov. 1, 1997, and Jan. 31, 1998, according to medical board documents. Generally, final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

Kamil Emil Bahou MD, Pasadena: Violated terms and conditions of medical board probation. License revoked. Effective Dec. 2, 1997.

Joseph Mayer Bernstein MD, Whittier: Failed to disclose to three patients the potential risks and complications of performing a blepharoplasty. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand*. Effective Nov. 20, 1997.

Toni D. Daniels MD, Los Angeles: Mental impairment affecting ability to practice medicine safely and failure to appear for an oral/clinical exam that she had agreed to take. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective Nov. 12, 1997.

John Michael Doyle MD, Glendale: Twice convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol. Revocation of license stayed; three years’ probation. Effective Dec. 1, 1997.

Robert A. Grant MD, Canoga Park: Inadequate management of wrist surgery of a patient both pre- and post-operative. Disciplined via public reprimand**. Effective Nov. 11, 1996.

Avelino Samson Josef MD, Long Beach: Violated terms and conditions of medical board probation. License revoked. Effective Dec. 15, 1997.

Richard Mansfield Klussman MD, Malibu: Self-use of controlled substance, Fentanyl; made a false stolen vehicle report to the California Highway Patrol; felony conviction for conspiracy to commit a crime to wit: obstruction of a criminal investigation; persuading or attempting to persuade witnesses to give false information to officers investigating a hit-and-run accident in which he was involved; criminal conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs; and engaged in the practice of medicine while his license was suspended. License revoked. Effective Jan. 16, 1998.

Richard Joel Metzner MD, Los Angeles: Disciplined by Arizona Medical Board for treating and prescribing to three patients before completing the licensing process in that state. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Dec. 23, 1997.

Robert R. Newport MD, Los Angeles: Prescribed a controlled substance, marijuana, to a patient without a good faith prior examination to determine any medical indication or contraindication. Revocation of license stayed; five years’ probation. Effective Nov. 3, 1997.

Donald Henry Rudick MD, Pomona: He admits the medical board could present sufficient evidence to establish a case for unprofessional conduct based on his failure to diagnose a patient’s ruptured appendix resulting in a delay in treatment, cardiac arrest due to the ruptured appendix and resulting spread of infection. Revocation of license stayed; license suspended for 90 days; five years’ probation. Effective Jan. 2, 1998.

Danilo Abud Sanchez MD, Paramount: Felony criminal conviction for making false, fictitious or fraudulent claims and billing for services not rendered. Disciplined by Texas and New Mexico medical boards for acts related to his criminal conviction. License revoked. Effective July 29, 1997.

Syed Iqbal Hussa Shahid MD, Lomita: Sexual exploitation and sexual misconduct with a patient. License revoked. Effective Jan. 29, 1998.

* 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.

** A public reprimand, another lesser form of discipline, is similar to a public letter of reprimand except that it must be the result of charges that are filed. The reprimand becomes a part of his or her public record.

Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento.