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, 2000, and Jan. 31, 2001, according to medical board documents. Generally, final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.

Dr. Joseph Dodridge Boggs Jr., Agoura Hills: Violated terms and conditions of medical board-ordered probation. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation added. Effective Nov. 6, 2000.

Dr. Jason K. Boutros, Pasadena: Omitted relevant information from a patient’s medical record, including failure to adequately document reasons for prescribing medications, omitted examinations, and failed to secure written consent for a minor surgery. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Dec. 15, 2000.

Dr. Michael Howard Burnam, Tarzana: Repeated negligent acts in the care and treatment of one patient. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Jan. 17, 2001.

Dr. Mohamed Samy El-Toukhy, Glendale: Disciplined by Arizona medical board for failure or refusal to maintain adequate records regarding one patient and charging or collecting an excessive fee. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Dec. 14, 2000.

Dr. Nevit Oguz Ergin, Alhambra: Violated terms and conditions of medical board-ordered probation. License revoked. Effective Nov. 16, 2000.

Dr. Nomi Judith Fredrick, Los Angeles: Committed acts of gross negligence and repeated negligence, altered medical records, failed to maintain adequate and accurate medical records. License revoked. Effective Nov. 22, 2000.

Dr. Thomas T. Ha, Diamond Bar: Failed to perform appropriate exams and/or refer to a specialist in the care and treatment of one patient. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Nov. 20, 2000.

Dr. Richard Stephen Infante, Pasadena: Engaged in repeated acts of excessive prescribing or administering drugs or treatment, ability to practice medicine safely is impaired due to mental illness affecting competency, violated state and federal drug laws, aided and abetted the unlicensed practice of medicine, engaged in the practice of medicine under a fictitious name without approval to do so, made false statements in medical-related documents. Revocation of license stayed, seven years’ probation. Effective Nov. 10, 2000.

Dr. Ramzi Zaki Kiriakos, Encino: Contemporaneously engaged in social and business relationships with a patient and the patient’s spouse while treating and caring for the patient. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Jan. 10, 2001.

Dr. Yvonne Mao, La Crescenta: Convicted twice of petty theft. License issued with four years’ probation attached. Effective Jan. 18, 2001.

Dr. Lee John Newfield, Marina del Rey: Failed to perform and document examinations, obtain and document histories regarding complaints, and promptly treat a life-threatening condition. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation. Effective Jan. 8, 2001.

Dr. Augusto Rojas, Hawthorne: Convicted in federal court of mail fraud and false statement in a tax return. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, five years’ probation. Effective Jan. 8, 2001.

Dr. William Warren Rose Jr., Los Angeles: Violated terms and conditions of medical board probation and failed board-ordered competency exam. License revoked. Effective Nov. 13, 2000.

Dr. Frida Rosenstein, Studio City: Convicted in federal court of income tax evasion. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, three years’ probation. Effective Dec. 15, 2000.

Dr. Galina Sobolev, Los Angeles: Convicted in federal court of income tax evasion. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 30 days, three years’ probation. Effective Dec. 15, 2000.

Dr. Robert Thomas Steller, Santa Monica: Impaired ability to practice medicine safely due to mental illness, self-use of drugs or alcohol and criminal conviction for assault and disorderly conduct. Revocation of license stayed, five years’ probation. Effective Jan. 5, 2001.

* 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.

Note: Copies of the public record documents associated with 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.