COSTA MESA / NEWPORT / IRVINE : COSTA MESA : State Seeks to Revoke Doctor’s Probation

State medical authorities are seeking to suspend or revoke the license of a Costa Mesa doctor who faces a host of malpractice and mismanagement accusations stemming from two medical offices he operates in Modesto.

The Board of Medical Quality Assurance, which licenses physicians and investigates complaints against them, announced this week that it has filed legal action to revoke probation for Dr. Edwin Hazelton Ford, 57.

The probation stems from a 1983 board disciplinary case in which Ford was deemed responsible for the death of a newborn girl and grossly negligent in his care of the infant’s mother. Ford was placed on 10 years’ probation and ordered to undergo intensive training in gynecology and obstetrics.

Ford is now accused of improprieties in the operation of Modesto Family Health Medical Group Inc. and General Family Practice Medical Group Inc., both in Modesto. According to the complaint, Ford is the chief executive officer, chief financial officer and director of both corporations.

Deputy Atty. Gen. Diana Hagle, who is handling the case, says the accusations against Ford involve allegations that he committed at least 19 illegal acts in operating the offices. The accusations include using unlicensed personnel to treat patients, failing to provide adequate supervision of the staff, and allowing staff members to improperly obtain prescription drugs for patients.

Ford could not be reached for comment. The offices in Modesto are still open. The allegations involve only Ford; the staff doctors at the offices are not under investigation. The board does not have the authority to close his medical offices. Employees of the offices declined to discuss the allegations.

--DAN WEIKEL