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, 2000, according to Medical Board documents. Generally, final actions are published only after all appeals are exhausted.
Dr. Shaaban Azar-Farr, Mission Hills: Failed to document in a patient’s medical record the reasons for prescribing medications and using diagnostic tests. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Sept. 6.
Dr. Alan Howard Blanc, Los Angeles: Committed an act of gross negligence by improperly physically removing a patient from his office and committed acts of repeated negligence by recommending the patient obtain astrology readings. Revocation of license stayed, three years’ probation. Effective Oct. 18.
Dr. Robert Borodkin, Rolling Hills Estates: Prescribed sedatives and depressants to an out-of-state psychiatric patient without personal consultation. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Aug. 18.
Dr. Ronald Arthur Carlish, Los Angeles: Submitted inaccurate information using a Medi-Cal provider number that caused Medi-Cal to issue improper provider numbers to mobile laboratories and practiced medicine under a fictitious name without having a fictitious name permit. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Aug. 10.
Dr. Theophile L. Carty, Los Angeles: Criminal conviction for failing to file income tax returns. Revocation of license stayed, license suspended for 60 days, five years’ probation. Effective Sept. 25.
Dr. Jorge N. Flores, Huntington Park: Prescribed medications for family members without performing good-faith prior examinations or maintaining medical records. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Oct. 19.
Dr. Leandro Gulapa Gatus, Tarzana: Criminal conviction for driving with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.08%. Revocation of license stayed, two years’ probation. Effective Aug. 11.
Dr. Eugene P. O’Donnell, Whittier: Failed to maintain adequate medical records for two patients who were hospitalized for a variety of chronic conditions. Disciplined via public letter of reprimand.* Effective Sept. 22.
Dr. Federico Godofredo Quevedo, Burbank: Criminal conviction for failing to file personal income tax returns. Revocation of license stayed, 30 months’ probation. Effective Sept. 28.
Dr. Vanessa Debra Lee Smith, Santa Monica: Self-abuse of alcohol and controlled substances. License granted with three years’ probation attached. Effective Aug. 10.
Dr. Kevin Tehrani, Los Angeles: Aided in the creation of a false medical record and the submission of a fraudulent insurance claim. Revocation of license stayed, five years’ probation. Effective Aug. 28.
Dr. Gregory John Withers, Arcadia: Failed to maintain adequate medical records regarding one patient. Disciplined via public reprimand.** Effective Oct. 12.
* 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 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.