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 May 1 and July 31, according to Medical Board documents. Generally, final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

Dr. Lazaro G. Chapa, Encino: Convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol; created false medical records with fraudulent intent; and self-use of Demerol, a controlled substance. Revocation of license stayed, five years probation. Effective May 11.

Dr. James Edward Gernert, Los Angeles: Administered testosterone injections on a weekly or more frequent basis to a patient without ordering timely blood tests. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective July 14, 1997.

Dr. Cadvan O. Griffiths Jr., Los Angeles: Convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol, misdemeanors, on three different occasions. Revocation of license stayed, three years probation. Effective June 19.

Dr. Willie Lee Johnson, Los Angeles: Criminal conviction for possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance. License issued with five years probation attached. Effective May 11.

Dr. Alan Shanley Lake, Long Beach: Violated terms and conditions of a prior board probation. Revocation of license stayed, five years probation. Effective May 22.

Dr. Allan I. Larner, San Pedro: Failed to diagnose and treat breast cancer in one patient for almost two years. Suspension of license stayed, one year probation. Effective May 1.

Dr. Barry Gerald Lew, Long Beach: Charged with giving steroid and hormone injections to two patients over a two-to-three-year period with little or no corresponding documentation of status or examination. No admissions; revocation of license stayed, four years probation. Effective June 26.

Dr. Beverly Lewis, Los Angeles: Convicted of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute Dilaudid. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, five years probation. Effective July 2.

Dr. Richard Louis McMasters, Redondo Beach: Applicant for licensure with history of psychiatric problems associated with his obsessive compulsive disorder. License issued with five years probation attached. Effective May 15.

Dr. Matthew Kam Yu Mo, Alhambra: Improperly attached the tendons of a patient’s hand to the nerves of the same hand during an emergency surgery performed on this patient’s partially lacerated hand. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective July 10, 1997.

Dr. Richard Elliott Naham, Los Angeles: Felony conviction for attempted murder and possession of methamphetamine and cocaine. License revoked. Effective May 18.

Dr. Jeffrey Ronald Reiss, Panorama City: Committed acts of gross negligence and repeated negligence in his care and treatment of six patients. Revocation of license stayed, five years probation. Effective June 15.

Dr. Mark Scheier, Cerritos: Committed acts of negligence and incompetence in his care and treatment of two patients by his failure to perform a prenatal test on one patient as required by California law, and by failing to obtain prenatal records and discuss the patient with his consultant prior to delivery. Revocation of license stayed, four years probation. Effective June 18.

Dr. Sander W. Zuckerman, Sherman Oaks: Committed acts of repeated negligence in his care and treatment of one patient. Revocation of license stayed, three years probation. Effective July 16.

* 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.