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, 1999, according to Medical Board documents. Generally final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.
Dr. Howard Reginald Bass, Los Angeles: Prescribed controlled substances to 46 patients without performing an initial examination and history, confirming diagnoses and/or medical necessity, or performing periodic reexaminations, and/or documenting the above. Revocation of license stayed, five years’ probation. Effective Aug. 18, 1999.
Dr. Lowell Jacob Bennett, Los Angeles: Resumed a sexual relationship with a former girlfriend, who was also a patient, which impaired his judgement and objectivity in providing medical care. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, five years’ probation. Effective Oct. 21, 1999.
Dr. William Bradley Brite, Glendale: Prescribed controlled substances and other dangerous drugs to various friends and family members without performing a good faith medical examination or recording prescriptions and maintaining adequate medical records. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation. Effective Oct. 29, 1999.
Dr. Donald M. Brown, Whittier: Unprofessional conduct in the care and treatment of one patient. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Aug. 2, 1999.
Dr. Robert C. Burke, Los Angeles: Violated terms and conditions of Medical Board probation. License revoked. Effective Oct. 28, 1999.
Dr. James Allen Gibbs, Huntington Park: Misdiagnosed a skin biopsy. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Sept. 15, 1999.
Dr. Narendra G. Gurbani, Bellflower: Failed to maintain adequate records for breast examinations on three patients and a vaginal examination on one patient. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Aug. 11, 1999.
Dr. Carl Eric Hayes, West Hollywood: Charged with committing acts of gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, incompetence, and failing to maintain records in connection with his care and treatment of six patients. No admissions; suspension of license stayed, one year’s probation. Effective Aug. 2, 1999.
Dr. Nolan Carthell Jones, Los Angeles: Charged with committing acts of gross negligence and repeated negligent acts in his treatment of four obstetrical patients and one gynecological patient. No admissions; revocation of license stayed, four years’ probation. Effective Aug. 2, 1999.
Dr. David Michael Kull, Panorama City: Failed to timely dictate three operative reports, and failed to document physical examinations, which led to conclusions of neuropraxia and the presence of dorsalis pedis pulse in one patient. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Oct. 8, 1999.
Dr. Sohail S. Mahboubian, Los Angeles: Criminal conviction for conspiring to possess and distribute controlled substances. Revocation of probationary certificate stayed, five years’ probation. Effective March 15, 1999.
Dr. Michael Millo Natividad, Claremont: Knowingly presented or caused to be presented false claims for the payment of a loss under a contract of insurance; knowingly prepared writings with the intent to present or use same in support of claims; and created false medical records with fraudulent intent. License revoked. Effective Aug. 16, 1999.
Dr. Arthur J. Samuels, Beverly Hills: Violated terms and conditions of Medical Board probation. License revoked. Effective Oct. 21, 1999.
Dr. Potenciano C. Tampoya, Van Nuys: Violated terms and conditions of Medical Board probation. License revoked. Effective Oct. 25, 1999.
Dr. James Donald Thomas, Pasadena: Excessively prescribed Ritalin to one patient and prescribed Ritalin to two other patients without first conducting a good faith physical examination. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Aug. 10, 1999.
Dr. Robert Fan-Yang Tzeng, La Puente: Criminal conviction for income tax evasion. Revocation of license stayed, four years’ probation. Effective Sept. 24, 1999.
Dr. Rama S. Venkat, Diamond Bar: Failed to conduct a medically adequate evaluation, obtain temperature, take or record an adequate medical history and to evaluate weight gain experienced by an infant patient. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation. Effective Aug. 13, 1999.
Dr. H. Jeff Zeidner, Los Angeles: Issued approximately 60 prescriptions for dangerous drugs or controlled substances to individuals without first conducting a physical examination, and issued several prescriptions in a patient’s name without that patient’s knowledge and without medical indication. License revoked. Effective Aug. 20, 1999.* 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 the licensee’s public record.
Note: Copies of the public record documents attendant to these cases are available at minimal cost by calling the Medical Board’s Central File Room at (916) 263-2525.
Source: Medical Board of California, Sacramento