BOARD OF PHYSICIAN QUALITY ASSURANCE NEWSLETTER
Volume 5, Number 2
Two Physician Vacancies To Be Filled By Governor
This issue of BPQA Newsletter contains a ballot and listing of those physicians who have expressed their desire to be selected as a physician representative for the Board of Physician Quality Assurance. Governor Glendenning will be given the vote tally received by each candidate and will select two physicians to serve on the Board for the positions currently held by John F. Strahan, M.D. and William A. Crawley, M.D. Dr. Crawley is eligible for reappointment to the Board but has declined this appointment due to the demands of his position as the President of the American College of Plastic Surgeons. Mrs. Christine Moore, a public member, is also completing her last term. Dr. Strahan and Mrs. Moore were charter members of the Board. This election will see the replacement of the last two charter members. The Board wishes to thank both Mrs. Moore and Dr. Strahan for their many years of service to the citizens of Maryland in their work with BPQA.
In addition, Brian M. Hepburn, M.D. the appointee recommended by the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, has resigned. This position will be filled by the Secretary.
Historically, the Governor has been sensitive to issues such as geographic representation, specialty, gender, and diversity among Board appointees.
Service on the BPQA is a time consuming commitment, with a minimum commitment of six hours per week. Please vote for physicians who will honor this commitment and serve with energy, enthusiasm, and integrity. Candidates should be well versed in the peer review process and have sufficient practice experience to bring seasoned judgement to the problems the Board addresses. Physicians who perceive Board appointment as a vehicle to promote or protect their special interests will not serve the Board as well as those who embrace the true charge of the Board which is to protect the public.
The ballot enclosed, on page 9, in this issue of the BPQA Newsletter is your opportunity to have input into the Governor's selection of our new members. Please complete your ballot and return it to Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of Maryland before June 10, 1998.JUNE 98 NEWSLETTER
TWO NEW PHYSICIAN MEMBERS OF BPQA WILL BE SELECTED FROM THE FOLLOWING FORTY-FOUR CANDIDATES.
Licensed physicians and osteopathic physicians are eligible to cast a ballot. You may make up to two selections for candidates for the Board. Ballots which designate only one candidate will be valid but if more than two selections are made, the ballot will be voided. Only this original ballot may be used, not a copy. Failure to sign your ballot or failure to accurately record your Maryland license number will also result in a voided ballot.
The ballot should be mailed with 32 cents postage. Only original ballots will be accepted, therefore, do not fax your ballot. Detach your ballot from the newsletter, fold it into thirds, and tape or staple the free edge before mailing.
THE CANDIDATES ARE LISTED ALPHABETICALLY
Rafel L. Aybar, M.D., is a general surgeon in private practice with offices in Owings Mills, Maryland. He resides in Anne Arundel County. He received his M.D. from Santo Thomas de Aquino University in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in 1961. Dr. Aybar has been licensed in Maryland since 1968.
"To be part of the process of monitoring good Quality Assurance among our peers, and as a foreign medical graduate trained in the U.S.A. as a surgeon can contribute to the understanding of the blend of different cultures in the medical environment." Peer review activities include: Chairman Utilization Review of Lutheran Hospital; Member of Quality Assurance of Baltimore County Medical Association; Member of Credentials Committee, Northwest Hospital Center.
Phyllis K. Barson, M.D., is an anesthesiologist in private practice in Bowie, Maryland. She resides in Montgomery County. She received her M.D. from Temple University Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1970. Dr. Barson has been licensed in Maryland since 1973.
"I am a practicing anesthesiologist. I am aware of the many pitfalls we face in the attempt to practice 'good medicine' in the face of constraints with insurance companies, non-compliant patients and our peers. I feel I can be fair and knowledgeable when evaluating my peers. I have an MPH and I feel I am able to look at all facets of 1990's medicine." Peer review activities include the Executive Committee of Bowie Health Center.
Paul V. Beals, M.D., is in private practice of family practice and nutrition with offices in Laurel, Maryland and Washington, D.C. He resides in Howard County. He received his M.D. from Temple University Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1969. Dr. Beals has been licensed in Maryland since 1980.
"I've been Board Certified in Family Practice for 22 years. Also, I have spent the last 15 years also practices alternative (complementary) medicine. I'm also a certified clinical Nutritionist (CCN). More and more physicians are getting into different types of alternative (wholistic) medicine. With my extensive experience and credentials, I can offer a very valuable service to the BPQA by helping to evaluate any alternative (wholistic) medical practices that come to the Board."
Joseph W. Berkow, M.D., is an ophthalmologist and head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Sinai Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1961. Dr. Berkow has been licensed in Maryland since 1969.
"I have practiced medicine for 37 years, in private practice 26 years, and involved in teaching at Johns Hopkins, GBMC and Sinai for over 27 years. This experience will be of value in serving on the Board of Physician Quality Assurance." Peer review activities include: arbitration panel; review of records for Medicare; testimony before the Grand Jury - case of Medicare fraud.
Lawrence Bezirdjian, M.D., is a urologist in private practice with offices in Baltimore and Ellicott City. He resides in Howard County. He received his M.D. from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1980. Dr. Bezirdjian has been licensed in Maryland since 1982.
"It is my pleasure to be nominated as a possible candidate to the Board of Physician Quality Assurance. I have prided myself with keeping abreast of the issues affecting the general public. My experience and interest in reviewing quality assurance guidelines in many aspects of medical care will prove an asset to the Board. I look forward to the challenge as a learning experience and an opportunity to contribute to the ongoing process of serving the public."
Daniel J. Bochicchio, M.D. is an anesthesiologist at University of Maryland Hospital and Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the Northeastern University School of Medicine, Tampico, Mexico, in 1986. Dr. Bochicchio has been licensed in Maryland since 1994.
"I will work hard to maintain the highest quality health care for the people of Maryland; ensure that health care professionals are treated fairly and strive to effect improvements in measuring quality within the medical profession." Peer review activities include: Health care professionals credentialing committee, Maryland Army National Guard.
Carol Samuels-Botts, M.D., is an external affairs representative for Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group in Largo, Maryland. She resides in Montgomery County. She received her M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C. in 1981. Dr. Botts has been licensed in Maryland since 1987.
"In my opinion, the BPQA's duty is to provide oversight for the delivery of high quality, compassionate and ethically sound healthcare to the citizens of the state of Maryland. During my 17 years of Pediatric practice, I have had the opportunity to combine a large clinical practice with a variety of physician leadership responsibilities. In so doing I have learned to effectively balance clinical judgement with patient advocacy while preserving collegial credibility and responsible fiscal stewardship. My experiences would add a unique dimension to the Board's directorship and I have the willingness and commitment to perform this important duty." Peer review activities include: Kaiser Permanente Mid-Atlantic States Region/ Quality Assurance/ Quality Improvement Committee.
Stanley Brull, M.D., is in the private practice of ophthalmology in Owings Mills, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1969. Dr. Brull has been licensed in Maryland since 1973.
"I am acutely aware of the threats facing medicine today and the responsibility which we as physicians have to shoulder in order to maintain quality within our own profession. If we fail to do this ourselves, we may be forced to suffer the indignity of having discipline imposed upon us by an outside force which will not have the sophistication to analyze quality in medicine that we alone possess." Peer review activities include: Med Chi Peer Review Committee; Surgicenter of Baltimore Peer Review committee; Sinai Hospital Peer review Committee.
Michael B. Bunnemeyer, M.D. is a physician and surgeon with North Oak Medical Associates, in Bowie, Maryland and Johns Hopkins Hospital. He resides in Anne Arundel County. He received his M.D. from Leiden State University, Leiden, Netherlands in 1963. Dr. Bunnemeyer has been licensed in Maryland since 1983 .
"I am a third generation physician and have witnessed the widening gap between medicine as an ever-improving source of healing and the inability of large segments of the population to afford these services. This gap is filled with middlemen who seem bent on squeezing every bit of compassion out of the process." Peer review activities include: Chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Helene Fuld Hospital; Chairman of the Department of Family Practice at Princeton Medical Center; Staff member at the National Naval Medical Center: and participates in various peer review committees.
Howard D. Cohn, M.D. is a staff physician for the Washington Veterans Administration Medical Center, in Washington, D.C. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1955. Dr. Cohn has been licensed in Maryland since 1969.
"I have had an abiding interest in the quality of medical care throughout my career which spans 40 years. My experience as head of the VA's quality assurance program at the national level and at the local level should serve me and the Board well." Peer review activities include: review of tort claim cases; site visits to specific medical centers to review alleged breaches in appropriate care by individual practitioners; review of service - specific quality assurance activities.
Richard H. Conant, M.D. is a assistant professor of surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the State University of New York, College of Medicine, Syracuse, New York in 1963. Dr. Conant has been licensed in Maryland since 1969.
"It would be a privilege to participate in an extremely important process which permits our medical profession and the public it serves to resolve disputes in a rational, ethical and equitable manner." Peer review activities include: Interprofessional Committee of Montgomery County Medical Society and Bar Association of Montgomery County; Executive Committee of the Medical Staff of Sibley Memorial Hospital; and consultant to Maryland State and Montgomery County Attorney's offices and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Norman J. Cowen, M.D., is a orthopedic surgeon in private practice in Bowie, Maryland . He resides in Front Royal, Virginia. He received his M.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1960. Dr. Cowen has been licensed in Maryland since 1971.
"Having reached the status of 'senior meritorious attending' and yet being still in the active practice of medicine outside the confines of managed care, I can evaluate the problems of my peers with objectivity, experience and magnanimity." Peer review activities include: Chief of Orthopedics, and Assistant Chief of Surgery at Capital Hill Hospital; Past Chairman of the Committee on Residental Training for the American Association of Hand Surgery.
Robert J. Dawson, M.D., is a pediatrician in private practice in Cumberland, Maryland. He resides in Allegany County. He received his M.D. at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, in 1959. Dr. Dawson has been licensed in Maryland since 1964.
"I would like to decrease my active practice time and get involved in something statewide and I've always been interested in quality of care. I think I could be useful on the peer review committee". Peer review activities include: Peer Review Committee, Allegany County Medical Society; Chairman, Quality Assurance Committee, Board of Trustees, Chairman of the QA Committee, Memorial Hospital; Appeals Committee, Sacred Heart Hospital.
Pablo E. Dibos, M.D., is a physician in private practice specializing in nuclear medicine in Essex, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. at the National University of Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico, in 1966. Dr. Dibos has been licensed in Maryland since 1968.
"I am interested in becoming a member of the BPQA because I believe I am qualified and I am able to balance advocacy for the physician community and medical profession with protection of the public. I have participated in peer review activities at the Hospital level for many years, and at Med Chi from 1985 to the present. I know the importance of peer review and understand its relationship to the disciplinary and educational missions of the Board. I also fully understand that education is as important as discipline." Peer review activities include: Peer Review Management Committee Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland; Focused Professional Education Committee Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State of Maryland.
Christopher J. Galuardi, M.D., is an anesthesiologist in private practice, specializing in chronic pain in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1988. Dr. Galuardi has been licensed in Maryland since 1989.
" I am interested in becoming a member of the BPQA because I feel I can have a broader impact on the delivery and quality of health care. When you practice as a physician, it is difficult to affect positive change because you must do it one on one which is inefficient". Peer review activities include: Med-Chi/BPQA and the Attorney Generals office for cases involving standard of care and over utilization in chronic pain management..
E. Serrin Gantt, M.D., is a gastroenteroligst in private practice in Rockville, Maryland. She resides in Howard County. She received her M.D. from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland in 1986. Dr. Gantt has been licensed in Maryland since 1991.
" At this stage of my professional life I consider it my responsibility and wish to contribute: in this case by working with my colleagues to raise the standards and objectives of the profession". Peer review activities include: Chairman of Shady Grove Hospital Gastroenterology Subsection; Clinical Monitoring Committee and Patient Committee at Montgomery General Hospital.
Uwe G. Goehlert, M.D., is a physician with Towson Health Express in Towson, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in 1984. Dr. Goehlert has been licensed in Maryland since 1986.
"I desire an opportunity to participate in the monitoring and continuous improvement of health care delivery by licensed providers in our community. Looking forward to the challenge of resolving professional, moral and ethical problems faced by providers." Peer review activities included: Medical Director - Towson Health Express; Pediatric Quality Care Assurance Committee (SJMC); and Utilization Review and Quality Assurance (BC/BS MD).
Daniel H. Green, M.D., is an obstetrician/gynecologist in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, D.C., in 1987. Dr. Green has been licensed in Maryland since 1989.
"I am a practicing OB/GYN with a business background and an interest in administration. I would be honored to serve the citizens and physicians of Maryland by helping to ensure quality and ethical medical care if elected to the BPQA." Peer review activities include: Member of cesarean section Committee at Mercy Medical Center; member of Quality Assurance Committee of Maryland Personal Physicians, Inc. (MSO); member of the Quality Assurance Committee/Chart Review Committee at Practice Dynamics, Inc. (MSO); and assisted in credentialing gynecologists in pelviscopy at Mercy Medical Center and GBMC.
Arthur Kaufman, M.D., is a Medical Director of Birch & Davis Associates, Inc. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from State University of New York, Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, in 1963. Dr. Kaufman has been licensed in Maryland since 1968.
"The Board of Physician Quality Assurance position will give me an opportunity to put 26 years of peer review experience to use improving the Quality of Care in the State of Maryland." Peer review activities include: since 1972, teaching and practicing Quality Assurance, Risk Management, and liability Control for the JCHA and at Prince George's PSRO as Medical Director and at Prince George's Hospital Center as Vice President for Quality Assurance; for 6 years, served as Medical Director for a large healthcare consulting firm; involved in assessing the Quality of Care of all VA Hospitals in the nation.
Gary A. Klein, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in Owings Mills and Westminster, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland in 1970. Dr. Klein has been licensed in Maryland since 1971.
"Managed care, burdensome regulations, and cumbersome paperwork, make medicine a demanding and sometimes unrewarding profession today. The clinician is in the precarious position of trying to balance good patient care with the demands of systems that are sometimes out of control. As a member of the BPQA, I feel that I can sensitively represent the concerns of physicians, while at the same time promote quality patient care." Peer review activities include: working as a supervisor in academia, hospitals, agencies, and community mental health clinics; working with medical students, interns, residents, and physicians in child and adult psychiatry.
Robert S. London, M.D., is Vice President of Clinical Affairs NYL Care Health Plans of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc. in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Prince George's County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1972. Dr. London has been licensed in Maryland since 1985.
"The BPQA monitors all medical providers in Maryland. I hope to share my years of experience in private, academic, and managed care practice to assure that BPQA decisions are fair and reflect appropriate quality of care". Peer review activities include: Director of Endocrine Research at Sinai Hospital; Executive Staff Committee at Homewood Hospital Center; Quality Assurance Committee, Peer Review Committee, Credentialing Committee, and the Best Practice Guideline Development for the NYLCare Health Plans of the Mid-Atlantic Region; and peer review activities for the Maryland Permanente Medical Group.
George A. Maxwell, M.D., is a obstetrician/gynecologist in private practice in Centerville, Maryland. He resides in Queen Anne County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland in 1944. Dr. Maxwell has been licensed in Maryland since 1944.
"I feel the BPQA should be more helpful to physicians and less adversarial toward the profession I deeply love. With regard to felonies, Maryland Statutes already dictate the penalties, thus rendering the BPQA perfunctory in these matters". Peer review activities include: participating on a number of occasions, the latest being in the Spring 1997 for Med-Chi Peer Review; chief for departments of Ob/Gyn in two hospitals doing peer reviews.
Lois V. Melchior, M.D., is a primary care physician in private practice in Hyattsville, Maryland. She resides in Prince George's County. She received her M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, D.C. in 1993. Dr. Melchior received her Maryland license in 1995.
"Checks and balances a process used by governments, private sectors, churches and homes. It provides accountability. Accountability raises the level of expectancy for quality service Serving the BPQA is my opportunity to check and balance." Peer review activities include: Quality Assurance Committee with Dimensions Affiliated Physicians as Chairman; member reviewing medical record audits, developing clinical guidelines, and monitoring quality measures for group; and Program Director of CME Program with Dimensions Affiliated Physicians.
Paul D. Meyer, M.D., is a neurosurgeon in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Howard, County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, in 1955. Dr. Meyer received his Maryland license in 1961.
"Ability to fairly judge other peoples performance, and to participate in the processing of justice. Time available to provide a community service that is much needed, and to share experience from participating in peer review at the University of Maryland Medical system and Harbor Hospital Center." Peer activities include: five years of peer review for Delmarva.
Lee Jonathan Musher, M.D., is in a private practice of family medicine and geriatrics in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the University of Bologna School of Medicine and Surgery, Bologna, Italy, in 1981. Dr. Musher received his Maryland license in 1986.
"I feel that responsible, careful, peer review is one of the corner stones of medical practice and education. I would appreciate the opportunity to serve the Medical Community of Maryland by serving on the Board of Physician Quality Assurance." Peer review activities include: review of physicians in nursing homes in New York;and as a certified Medical Director with responsibility for credentialing appointment and reappointment of professionals to several nursing homes in Maryland.
Ashwin L. Nanavati, M.D., is a surgeon in private practice with offices in Glen Burnie, Elkridge, and Catonsville, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from M. P. Shah Medical College in Jamnagar, India, in 1966. Dr. Nanavati received his Maryland license in 1982.
"I would like to learn the process of Quality Assurance by serving as a member of the Board. I have been in practice for eleven years in Anne Arundel County and Baltimore County. I am a Board certified general surgeon trained at St. Agnes Hospital."
Samir R. Neimat, M.D., is a surgeon in private practice in Takoma Park, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt, in 1960. Dr. Neimat received his Maryland license in 1973.
"As a practicing surgeon and physician in Maryland for the past twenty two years, I believe my experience will help to serve the BPQA to promote fairness and equality among all Maryland physicians." Peer review activities include: Chairman of the Thoracic Cardiovascular Surgery Section, and Former Chairman of the Department of Surgery and Tissue and Surgical Review Committee at Washington Adventist Hospital.
Steven F. Noskow, M.D., is an obstretician/gynecologist in private practice in Columbia, Maryland. He resides in Howard County. He received his M.D. from Temple University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1973. Dr. Noskow received his Maryland license in 1974.
"Feel strong need for physicians to take an active role in governmental and legislature affairs that affect a doctor's practice. We need to monitor ourselves to assure high quality medical care is available to patients." Peer review activities include: Chair of QA - OB Department, Chairman - OB department, and Hospital House Staff President for Howard County General Hospital; Chief, OB/GYN at Patuxent Medical Group, Columbia, Maryland.
Marco Pappagallo, M.D., is a neurologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore City. He received his M.D. from the School of Medicine, University of Rome, Rome, Italy, in 1982. Dr. Pappagallo received his Maryland license in 1990.
"My reasons for wanting to serve on the BPQA are for the unique opportunity to serve actively and effectively the health care providers community of Maryland, to help to maintain the highest standards of medical care in our state and to participate in moral and ethical debates." Peer review activities include: Johns Hopkins Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee; Board Member of Back Pain Association of America; consultant for "Consumer Reports on Health"; Executive Board Member of American Academy of Neurology.
Ambadas Pathak, M.D., is a pediatrician/neonatologist at GBMC in Towson, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore City. He received his M.D. from Osmani Medical College, Hyderbad, India, in 1963. Dr. Pathak received his Maryland license in 1978.
"There is a need for a multidisciplinary group as the Board and I bring expertise in Pediatrics and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine. I have been active in Med-Chi through Baltimore County Medical Association." Peer review activities include: performing peer review for the past 24 years at Rochester General Hospital, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, and GBMC.
Abol Pourhamidi, M.D., is a surgeon in private practice in Lanham, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the University of Tehran, School of Medicine, Tehran, Iran, in 1961. Dr. Pourhamidi received his Maryland license in 1978.
"I believe honesty and ethics are very important in practice of medicine (as I have adhered to them throughout my career). The medical profession is under attack and criticism for lack of proper self policing. I do not blame the public's view that we are not 'cleaning our acts'. So I am willing to give some of my time in this endeavor so perhaps we can do a better job." Peer review activities include: chairman of hospitals credential committee; chairman of surgical review committee; served on malpractice arbitration panel; and served on many ad hoc committees to review hospital members activities.
Harold Ramsey, M.D., is a surgeon in private practice in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the Meharry Medical College, Nashville, Tennessee, in 1956. Dr. Ramsey received his Maryland license in 1968.
"I have always been interested in quality medicine and have tried to practice it for over 25 years. I would like to bring my years of training and experience to the Board." Peer review activities include: quality review in Baltimore City Medical Society; and Chairman of Department of Surgery in two hospitals.
Harvey L. P. Resnik, M.D., is a psychiatrist in private practice in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, New York City, New York, in 1955. Dr. Resnik received his Maryland license in 1969.
"From psychiatric practice over 25 years (Prince George's/Montgomery Counties), I have learned much about proper medical care. In the senior years practicing medicine, I offer my beloved profession payback time for my full life." Peer review activities include: Prince George's County Medical Society; Washington Psychiatric Society; Co-chair , Joint Committee of the Prince George's Medical Society and Bar Association.
Jacqueline E. Rose, M.D., is an anesthesiologist at Doctor's Community Hospital in Prince George's County. She resides in Howard County. She received her M.D. from University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1985. Dr. Rose received her Maryland license in 1989.
"I would like to be a member of the Board of Quality Assurance because my experience and temperament would be an asset to the Board. As someone who has trained in surgery anaesthesiology and critical care. I can bring a broad range of experience in several disciplines to the Board. I have gained experience in peer review as a member of many quality assurance committees as an academician at two universities as a community physician here in Maryland. My evenness in temperament and judgment is well known by my colleagues which I believe is important in peer review." Peer activities include: various quality assurance committees, as assistant professor at two major medical schools; and as a community physician.
Martin S. Rusinowitz, M.D., is a neurologist at Neurology Center in Rockville, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, in 1980. Dr. Rusinowitz received his Maryland license in1986.
"I have been part of the peer review process in medicine for more than 10 years. Initially, I was the reviewer; later on, the recipient of a BPQA investigation which was positively resolved. I appreciate the Board's mission to maintain quality medical care, but also have unique perspective to make certain that issues and doctors are treated fairly." Peer review activities include: Chairman, Medical Review Committee, and Chairman, Department of Medicine, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital; and Med Chi specialist reviewer for the Peer Review Management Committee.
Roger M. Stone, M.D., is an emergency medicine physician at UMMS and Mercy Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland. He resides in Carroll County. He received his M.D. from University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland in 1987. Dr Stone received his Maryland license in 1988.
"I seek appointment to: (a) provide emergency medicine representation to our multi-speciality Board, (b) apply Quality Improvement strategies acquired in EMS management training to serve the Board's customers, Maryland's health professionals and citizens, (c) support patient advocacy, while protecting practitioners' due process." Peer review activities include: Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee, Carroll County General; Emergency Services Medical Advisory Committee and EMS Directorship, Carroll County Ambulance Association.
John B. Umhau, M.D., is a physician in family medicine in Chevy Chase, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., in 1952. Dr. Umhau received his Maryland license in 1953.
"Having devoted my career to the ethical practice of medicine and having physician sons who will also, I want to assure the reputation of our profession, the health of Marylanders, and the rights of physicians." Peer review activities include: Past Chairman of medical staff at Suburban Hospital; President of the Montgomery County Medical Society; and member of the Med-Chi Council.
George E. Urban Jr., M.D., is an otolaryngologist in private practice in Clinton, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1961. Dr. Urban received his Maryland license in 1971.
"Having witnessed the professional justice and compassion of the Board, while Chief of Surgery at Doctor's Community Hospital for member of the staff, I would like to continue that tradition and excellence." Peer review activities include: Chairman, Surgical Peer Review, Chairman, Department of Surgery, Chairman Medical Records, Doctor's Hospital.
Vivek Varma, M.D., is a cardiologist in private practice in Fallston, Maryland. He resides in Harford County. He received his M.D. from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland in 1985. Dr. Varma received his Maryland license in 1987.
"As a physician, I have faced the politics of competition being disguised as 'quality of care issues'. These experiences have propelled me to the BPQA to evaluate complaints with a calm heart and trained eye." Peer review activities include: evaluating cardiac catherization procedures at several hospitals.
Brian C. Wallace, M.D., is a physician in private practice in Baltimore County. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia in 1981. Dr. Wallace received his Maryland license in 1984.
NO OTHER INFORMATION SUBMITTED
Eric S. Wargotz, M.D., is Chief of Pathology at Doctors Community Hospital in Lanham, Maryland. He resides in Queen Anne's County. He received his M.D. from Ohio State University of Medicine, Columbus , Ohio, in 1983. Dr. Wargotz received his Maryland license in 1989.
"The mission of the BPQA is self-evident. The process by which it pursues its mission is about ethics: from the issuance of licenses to the investigation of citizen complaints regarding physicians and other health professionals.. Integrity is the foundation which underpins not only the learning of ethical principles but their application. I am of that earth." Peer review activities: include Medical Quality Assurance Committee; Surgical Quality Assurance Committee; Credentials Committee.
E. F. Shaw Wilgis, M.D., is a physician specializing in hand surgery in Lutherville, Maryland. He resides in Baltimore County. He received his M.D. from University of Maryland School of Medicine in 1962. Dr. Wilgis received his Maryland license in 1986.
"I have had an active practice in the Baltimore community for the past 30 years. I plan to stop clinical surgery in January 1999, making time available for this commitment." Peer review activities include: Chief of Hand Surgery at Union Memorial Hospital; and maintain the Quality Assurance program for that Department at Union Memorial Hospital.
Mitchell J. Zeitler, M.D., is an anesthesiologist practicing at Montgomery General Hospital, in Olney, Maryland. He resides in Montgomery County. He received his M.D. from George Washington University Medical Center, Washington, D.C,. in 1982. Dr. Zeitler received his Maryland license in 1984.
"As an anesthesiologist I work with many physicians from various specialties and understand the problem and issues in Medicare. By strengthening the quality of care we can communicate the complexities and demands of the present day physician to the public." Peer review activities include: patient care evaluation; Clinical Monitoring Committee, Montgomery General Hospital; Peer Review for Med Chi; and Member, Claim Advisory Committee, Medical Mutual Liability of Maryland.
Lawrence P. Zyskowski, M.D., is a Rheumatologist in a consultative rheumatology practice in Annapolis, Maryland. He resides in Anne Arundel County. He received his M.D. from University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1977. Dr. Zyskowski received his Maryland license in 1997.
"The BPQA has an important role to shape the quality of medical care in Maryland. As an interested and experienced physician in QA, I hope to use this experience to help my physician colleagues and patients maintain excellence, and to provide a link with insurers, business and regulators in the medical community." Peer review activities include: Utilization Review Committee, Lakes Region General Hospital; New Hampshire Foundation for Medical Care; and case reviewer for Anne Arundel Medical Center.JUNE 98 NEWSLETTER
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Physicians whose last names begin with the letters A - L must renew their medical licenses before September 30, 1998. The renewal applications are mailed in early July to the last address the physician supplied to the Board. Please notify the Board if you have not received your renewal application by the end of July.
Earning 50 Category I CME credits is a requirement for renewal. If you have questions or concerns about what constitutes Category I CME credit, contact the Board and request a copy of the CME regulations. Also, pay close attention to the dates your CME credits were earned, and the length of time you should keep the documentation.
Physicians whose renewal applications are not postmarked by September 30, 1998 are no longer licensed to practice in Maryland. In the two month period following expiration of licensure, the Board will accept the renewal form with the renewal application fees and a $50 late fee. Until their licenses are renewed, physicians who file late applications are not authorized to practice medicine. Any physician who does not renew their license by the end of the two month period will have to go through the full reinstatement process to reactivate their license. Physicians practicing without a valid license are subject to a fine up to $50,000.JUNE 98 NEWSLETTER
BOARD ORDERS JANUARY - MARCH 1998
ANDREW TODD LESTER, EMT-P Certification #E30860 (Fulton, MD) Revocation and Fine of $3,000. The health provider wilfully made or filed a false report in the practice of emergency medical technology, practiced beyond his authorized scope of practice, failed to meet annual recertification requirements and practiced medicine without a license. Effective 1/20/98
BASDEO BALKISSOON, M.D. License #D00252, Specialty: General Surgery (Washington, D.C.) Reprimand; probation for three (3) years with terms and conditions. The Board concluded that the physician's care and treatment of three (3) patients failed to meet the standards of care in his practice of general surgery. Effective 1/23/978
KERMIT P. BONOVICH, M.D. License #D05593, Specialty: Internal Medicine, General Practice (Bel Air, MD) Reprimand; terms and conditions. The physician failed to meet standards of care in his treatment of a patient as a physician for a detention facility. Effective 1/28/98
JOSE C. ARROYO, M.D. License #D02433, Specialty: Anesthesiology (Ellicott City, MD) Surrender of License. The decision to surrender was prompted by the closing of the physician's practice. The physician had entered a Consent Order on March 27, 1996, and was fined as one of the conditions of the Order. Prior to closing his practice, the physician was unable to meet the payment schedule for his fine. Effective 1/28/98
FRED D. OREMLAND, M.D., License #D11121 Specialty: Plastic Surgery; Psychiatry (San Francisco, CA) Surrender of License. The physician surrendered in lieu of formal charges. The Maryland action was based upon the California Board alleging unprofessional conduct, improper and excessive treatment, improper and excessive billing; creation of false medical records and excessive prescribing and administering of drugs. Effective 2/4/98
MICHAEL D. REYNOLDS, M.D. License #D13703, Specialty: Rheumatology; Internal Medicine (Lima, OH) Suspension: stayed; probation concurrent with probation of the Ohio Board. The physician failed to maintain medical records which accurately reflected his utilization of CDS or the diagnosis and purpose for which CDS were utilized. Effective 2/4/98
LEON R. LEVITSKY, M.D., License #D09187, Specialty: Family Practice (Lanham, MD) Revocation Order of July 30, 1997, vacated by order of the Circuit Court for Prince George's County. The Court ordered that the case be remanded for further proceedinds. Effective 2/5/98
ADRIAN M. COHEN, M.D., License #D04365, Specialty: Psychiatry (Potomac, MD) Order staying suspension; probation for five (5) years subject to terms and conditions in accordance with the Consent Order of January 22, 1997; additional conditions imposed after the stay of suspension. Effective 2/25/98
YASMIN B. REDONDO-MALAMUD, M.D., License #D48223, Specialty: Pathology (Silver Spring, MD) Surrender of license. The Board's case was based on the physician's false representation that she was a certified pathologist. Effective 2/26/98
DAVID C. ABRAMSON, M.D. License #D22920, Specialty: Pediatrics; Emergency Medicine (Washington, DC) Reinstatement of license; reprimand and fine of $5,000 and conditions. The Board could deny the physician's reinstatement based on the lack of good moral character and discipline of the District of Columbia Board of Medicine, the New York Board of Professional Medical Conduct, and the Pennsylvania Board of Medicine. The basis of the action in the District of Columbia was based on false statements about his credentials in conjunction with his appearances as an expert witness. The physician also failed to report the D.C. action to the Pennsylvania Board. Effective 2/25/98
SHERWOOD P. LEO, M.D., License #D47956, Specialty: General Surgery (Baltimore, MD) Reprimand; two (2) years probation with terms and conditions if and when the physician resumes medical practice in Maryland. Respondent misrepresented his training and created a false document to that effect. He also had written prescriptions in his name to give to another person. Effective 2/25/98
LISA D. KIRVEN, M.D., License #D42070, Specialty: Internal Medicine (Cambridge, MD) Suspension; stayed upon meeting of conditions. The Respondent violated her Consent Order of May 7, 1996, by failing to present proof to the Board that she was in compliance with the federal National Health Service contract by either the initiation of service or the initiation of payment. Effective 3/4/98
RAMON L. GONZALEZ, M.D., License #D29566, Specialty: Pediatrics (Silver Spring, MD) Suspension for one (1) year; terms and conditions; if reinstated, probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions. The physician had a sexual relationship with a patient, and he billed the Medicaid program for services performed by unlicensed individuals as if the services were provided by the physician. Effective 3/25/98
VELUPPILLAI NAGULENDRAN, M.D., License #D24910, Specialty: Psychiatry (Cumberland, MD) Modification to order of reinstatement. The physician may resume treating female patients in an unrestricted practice setting, and the frequency of the physician's supervisory meetings is reduced from weekly to bi-weekly. Effective 3/25/98
ORRIN PALMER, M.D.,License #D40335, Specialty: Psychiatry (Frederick, MD) Suspension for six (6) months; probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions. The physician was sanctioned for engaging in a relationship with a patient and the misuse of prescription medication. Effective 3/25/98
MANSOUR PHALSAPHIE, M.D., License #D39182, Specialty: Anatomic & Clinical Pathology; Family Practice (Henderson, KY) Suspension. The Kentucky Board suspended the physician's license because he entered into a relationship with one of his patients. The physician prescribed for a patient a large amount of controlled substances for no obvious medical condition, and, based upon an evaluation, the physician was classified as chemically dependent. Effective 3/25/98
NDUBUISI J. OKAFOR, M.D., License #D43460, Specialty: Internal Medicine (Bowie, MD) Stay of suspension; probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions. Effective 3/25/98
WILLIAM J. DELAPAZ, M.D., License #D35373, Specialty: OB/GYN (LaPlata, MD) Suspension for three (3) years; two (2) years stayed; effective September 9, 1997; probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions. The physician failed to meet standards of care in his practice of gynecology. Effective 3/25/98
STACEY R. SHERRY, M.D., License #D48140, Specialty: Anesthesiology (Bayside, NY) Reinstatement of license subject to terms and conditions. The physician meets the requirements for licensure and has shown continued compliance with her advocacy contract with the Physician's Rehabilitation Program. Effective 3/25/98
MICHAEL Q. STEARNS, M.D., License #D33966, Specialty: Neurology (Vienna, VA) Revocation. The physician pled guilty to four counts of assault and battery before a General Court Martial convened by the United States Navy and is subject to State Statute that requires revocation of a license. Effective 3/25/98
SHERIDAN L. WEINSTEIN, M.D., License #D12831, Specialty: Public Health & General Preventive Medicine; General Practice (Gig Harbor, WA) Surrender of license. The physician surrendered his license in lieu of charges and as a result of an accusation filed by the Medical Board of California alleging that he was convicted of violations of the Criminal Code of the United States. Effective 3/25/98JUNE 98 NEWSLETTER
SUZANNE J. GRIFFIN, M.D. License #D32296, Specialty: Psychiatrist; Clinical Pharmacology (Chevy Chase, MD) Administrative fines of $100 for failure to notify a change of address and $1,000 fine for practicing when license was not renewed. Effective 2/11/98
LOIS E. WEHREN, M.D., License #D21325, Specialty: OB/GYN (Ellicott City, MD) Administrative Fine of $10,000. The physician practiced medicine with a non-renewed license for four and one half months. Effective 3/4/98
The March 1998 issue of the BPQA Newsletter contained a printing error with respect to the report on Sheo P. Sharma, M.D. Dr. Sharma did not surrender his license. The December 3, 1997 order of the Board was a Reprimand; Probation for one(1) year subject to conditions. The Board apologizes for this printing error.JUNE 98 NEWSLETTER