CLIPBOARD : Medical Board Disciplinary Actions
The Medical Board of California, formerly known as the Board of Medical Quality Assurance, licenses physicians and other medical professionals. The board also investigates medical complaints and issues disciplinary actions. The most serious penalties include license revocation, suspension and probation.
Each decision becomes operative on the “effective date” unless a stay order is granted by a court upon the request of the licensee filing for judicial review, which may be after the preparation of a medical board report.
“Stipulated Decisions” are negotiated settlements where further appeals to the courts are waived. Accusation “withdrawn” or “dismissed” means the charges were dropped by the Medical Board before the matter went to an administrative hearing, or that the matter went to litigation and the respondent-licensee prevailed either at an administrative level or at the various court levels.
Following are the Orange County medical professionals who are subject to serious disciplinary actions (broken down by medical specialties), according to two issues of the California Medical Board Hot Sheet, a monthly summary of disciplinary matters, dated Sept. 10 and Oct. 2, 1990.
PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS:
* Hansel Benvenuti, MD, Newport Beach
Stipulated decision effective Aug. 17, 1990. Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings.
* Marshall K. Grossman, MD, Irvine
Accusation withdrawn Aug. 22, 1990. Matter is being reconsidered and may be refiled.
* Frederick Berkowitz, MD, Anaheim
License revoked, stayed. Six years’ probation with terms and conditions, six-month suspension. Effective Sept. 9, 1990
* Michael V. Elam, MD, Newport Beach
License revoked. Judicial review filed; stay order issued. Effective Sept. 5, 1990.
REGISTERED DISPENSING OPTICIANS:
* Bo-An Dang Optical, Garden Grove
Stipulated decision effective Aug. 22, 1990. Voluntary surrender of license in lieu of formal proceedings.
Note: Information about how to file a complaint may be obtained by calling the Medical Board of California’s Santa Ana office at (714) 558-4452.
Source: Medical Board of California
