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 Aug. 1 and Oct. 31, 1998, according to medical board documents. Generally, final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.
Dr. Hagop Garabed Bezikian, Los Angeles: Felony criminal conviction for filing false income tax returns. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation. Effective Sept. 4, 1998.
Dr. Stephen A. Cech, Westlake Village: Prescribed controlled substances without authority. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 90 days, seven years’ probation. Effective Aug. 12, 1998.
Dr. Rurico R. Espinoza, Whittier: Felony criminal conviction for attempting to murder his estranged wife. License revoked. Effective Oct. 15, 1998.
Dr. Gordon S. Goei, Beverly Hills: Practiced medicine with a suspended license, committed acts of gross negligence and incompetence in his care and treatment of a patient, and violated terms and conditions of medical board probation. License revoked. Effective Oct. 9, 1998.
Dr. David Cary Hansen, Los Angeles: Rendered excessive treatment to four patients. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 60 days, five years’ probation. Effective Aug. 27, 1998.
Dr. David Nathaniel Michelson, Westlake Village: Violated terms and conditions of medical board probation. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ additional probation. Effective Sept. 25, 1998.
Dr. Robert William Peoples, Manhattan Beach: Unlawful prescription and use of controlled substances desflurane, Forane, isoflurane and Ethrane. License revoked. Effective Dec. 23, 1996. (On Oct. 19, 1998, the judge ruled the revocation retroactive to Dec. 23, 1996.)
Dr. Ronald Eugene Pinkerton, Pico Rivera: Dispute with paramedics regarding the destination of a patient. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective July 10, 1997.
Dr. Raphael Schumert, Van Nuys: Failed to record the reasons for ordering the intravenous administration of Demerol during the hospitalizations of two patients. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Aug. 11, 1998.
Dr. Alain Martin Vida, Pacific Palisades: Misdemeanor criminal conviction for aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine by his medical assistants at his six allergy and asthma clinics, false advertising, excessive treatment of patients, use of a fictitious name without obtaining a fictitious name permit from the medical board, and acts of gross negligence and repeated negligence in his care and treatment of patients. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, four years’ probation. Effective Oct. 5, 1998.
Dr. Clemmie Lee Williams, Long Beach: Disciplined by the U.S. Navy for failure to render safe, quality patient care, demonstrated deficits in his medical knowledge, expertise and judgment, and inadequate and/or inaccurate medical record documentation. Revocation of license stayed, five years’ probation. Effective Oct. 19, 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.
Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento