BOARD OF PHYSICIAN QUALITY ASSURANCE NEWSLETTER
VOLUME 7, NUMBER 2
JUNE 2000
2000 BPQA ELECTION BEGINS HERE
New Members To Be Appointed By Governor To BPQA; Ballot Enclosed
This issue of BPQA Newsletter contains a ballot listing those physicians who have been
nominated to fill the two initial vacancies on the Board of Physician Quality Assurance.
Dr. Sidney B. Seidman and Dr. Cheryl Winchell have completed two full terms on the Board
and are not eligible for reappointment. The names of sitting Board members eligible for
reappointment are submitted to the Governor by MedChi in accordance with the Annotated
Code of Maryland, Health Occupations §14-202 (d). Dr. Moises Z. Fraiman and Dr. Donald C.
Chambers are both completing their first 4-year terms.
Nominees are accepted from Maryland physician organizations of at least 25 members.
Nominations are also accepted for candidates who submit a petition endorsing their
candidacy signed by 25 Maryland licensed physicians. Governor Parris Glendening will be
given the tally of votes. He will appoint new Board members from this list. Historically,
the Governor has been sensitive to issues such as geographic distribution, specialty,
gender, and diversity among Board appointees.
Service on the BPQA is a time consuming commitment, requiring an average of six hours per
week. Board service is not compensated. Most Board members are assigned to two committees
of the Board in addition to the monthly meeting of the full Board. Preparation for each
Board meeting requires 5 to 10 hours of reading. Additionally, Board members are often
asked to review malpractice claims and to attend, in rotation, the Weekly Review Panel
which screens all new complaints. 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
judgment 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 for this election process was prepared by MedChi, the Maryland State Medical
Society. Each nominee was asked why they wanted to serve on the BPQA and their responses
have been reproduced as submitted. Please complete your ballot on page 6 of this
newsletter, and return it to MedChi before June 10, 2000, in order to have your vote
counted. This is your opportunity to have input into the Governor's selection of our new
members.
BOARD ORDERS JANUARY - MARCH 2000
Larry Lee Bosley, M.D., License #: D48362, Specialty: Dermatology (Beverly Hills, CA). Suspension for one (1) year; suspension stayed; probation for five (5) years subject to terms and conditions. False and misleading advertising, aiding the unauthorized practice of medicine, payment for referrals, and other activities which amounted to unprofessional conduct in his practice of hair transplanting. Date of Action: January 12, 2000.
Darrell M. Gray, M.D., License #: D21711, Specialty: Internal Medicine (Baltimore, MD).
Revocation. The physician failed to pay a fine by the Board's order of November 18, 1998.
Date of Action: January 12, 2000.
William W. Mark, Jr., M.D., License #: D31221, Specialty: Internal Medicine (Cumberland,
MD). Reprimand; terms and conditions. The Board found that the physician failed to meet
the standards of care with respect to two patients in his medical record documentation and
with one of these patients in his medical management of the patient's condition. Date of
Action: February 2, 2000.
Martin J. Shuman, M.D.,License #: D08334, Specialty: Opthamology (Glen Burnie, MD)
Suspension for three (3) years; stayed; probation for three (3) years subject to terms and
conditions. The physician failed to meet standards of care with respect to 19 patients in
his practice of opthamology. Date of Action: February 2, 2000.
C. Thomas Folkemer, M.D.,License #: D14751, Specialty: Internal Medicine (Pasadena, MD).
Suspension stayed; probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions. The
physician violated his corrective action agreement and, based on a peer review, failed to
meet standards of care in his practice of general medicine. Date of Action: February 23,
2000.
Joanne B. Kelly, M.D., License #: D21467, Specialty: Anesthesiology (Rockville, MD)
Suspension for three (3) years; suspension stayed; probation for three (3) years subject
to terms and conditions. The physician failed to meet standards of care in her practice of
anesthesiology with regard to a patient. Date of Action: February 23, 2000.
Ashok Krishnaswamy, M.D., License #: D26141, Specialty: None (Glen Burnie, MD). Stet
Agreement: charges stetted for two (2) years subject to terms and conditions. The
physician was charged, based on a peer review, for failing to meet standards of care in
the practice of orthopedic medicine. Date of Action: February 23, 2000.
Binyamin H. Rothstein, D.O., License #: H30277, Specialty: Family Practice (Baltimore,
MD). Probation for three (3) years subject to terms and conditions; the physician will
terminate his practice of alternative or complementary medicine. The physician violated
probationary conditions of his order of probation of July 24, 1996, based on findings of a
peer review and failed to transmit certain records to the Board in response to a subpoena.
Date of Action: February 23, 2000.
Carol Ruth Scott, M.D.,License #: D34537, Specialty: Emergency Medicine (Baltimore, MD).
Reprimand; terms and conditions. The physician violated terms of Consent Order of June 16,
1999, by failing to pay in a timely manner the fines imposed buy that order. Date of
Action: February 23, 2000.
Richard N. Scott, M.D., License #: D11439, Specialty: None (Ellicott City, MD). Modified
Consent Order; modification to August 27, 1997 Consent Order to include additional terms.
The modification came as a result of a peer review. Date of Action: February 23, 2000.
Frank A. Broner, M.D., License #: D46195, Specialty: Orthopedic Surgery (Rockville, MD).
Monitoring of Practice for one (1) year. The Board found that the physician failed to meet
standards of care in his practice of orthopedic surgery with regard to a patient. Date of
Action: February 25, 2000.
April Ronnetta Daniels, MRT Certification #:R3285, Specialty: Medical Radiation
Technology. Surrender of certification. The practitioner has been inactive in the field
for four years and has not accrued the required continuing education credits. Date of
Action: February 25, 2000.
Basdeo Balkissoon, M.D., License #: D00252, Specialty: None (Bethesda, MD). Order Tolling
the conditions of January 23, 1998 order; physician not to practice until 2/29/2000 order
is terminated. At present the physician is not able to attend to his business affairs.
Date of Action: February 29, 2000.
Melvin J. Duckett, M.D., License #: D32401, Specialty: Urologist (Cockeysville, MD). Stay
of suspension; terms and conditions. The physician has paid the arrears of the fine
imposed by the Board. Date of Action: March 13, 2000.
Jeffrey H. Schimandle, M.D., License #: D44215, Specialty: General/Family Practice
(Oklahoma City, OK). Revocation. The Maryland Board took reciprocal action based on action
by the Oklahoma Board for being addicted to or habitually abusing any narcotic or
controlled dangerous substances. Date of Action: March 22, 2000.
James Grimes, License #: C01204, Specialty: Physician Assistant (Baltimore, MD).
Suspension for three years, effective 12/15/99 with 26 months stayed, resulting in 10
months active suspension; probation for 5 years subject to terms and conditions. The
health practitioner had a problem with opiate dependency and filled prescriptions for
himself for narcotic analgesics and benzodiazepines. The Board found him guilty of
providing professional services while using a narcotic or controlled dangerous substances,
being addicted to narcotics or CDS, and unprofessional conduct in the practice of
medicine. Date of Action: March 22, 2000.
Jeffrey L. Royal, RT, Certification #: R03369, Specialty: Medical Radiation Technology
(Kensington, MD). Surrender of License. The practitioner worked while addicted to
controlled dangerous substances. Date of Action: March 24, 2000.
NEW PHYSICIAN ORIENTATION PROGRAM
On April 5, 1999, new regulations went into effect requiring physicians who are applying for the first renewal of a Maryland Medical License to attend the Board of Physician Quality Assurance New Physician Orientation Program. This means that if you received your initial medical license within the last two years and have not yet renewed your license you must attend this orientation program as a requirement for the renewal of your license.
THESE ORIENTATIONS ARE SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS:
June 20, 2000
Upper Chesapeake Health System, Havre de Grace, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
June 22, 2000
Anne Arundel Medical Center (Annapolis, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
June 26, 2000
Washington County Medical Center (Hagerstown, MD) 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
July 10, 2000
Upper Chesapeake Health System (Fallston, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
July 12, 2000
Montgomery County Medical Society (Rockville, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
July 17, 2000
Peninsula Regional Medical Center (Salisbury, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
*July
19, 2000 Suburban
Hospital (Rockville, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
July 20, 2000
Anne Arundel Medical Center (Annapolis, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
July 24, 2000
Upper Chesapeake Health System (Havre de Grace, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
August 15, 2000
Anne Arundel
Medical Center (Annapolis, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
August 16, 2000
MedChi Offices
1211 Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
August 17, 2000
Union Hospital
(Elkton, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
August 19, 2000
BPQA Office 4201
Patterson Ave (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)(Baltimore, MD)
August 21, 2000
Washington
County Medical Center (Hagerstown, MD) 5:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m.
August 22, 2000
Memorial
Hospital (Easton, MD) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
August 24, 2000
Shady Grove
Adventist Hospital (Rockville, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
August 29, 2000
Sacred Heart
Hospital (Cumberland, MD) 5:0 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
August 30, 2000
Cumberland
Memorial Hospital(Cumberland, MD) 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
September
7, 2000 Memorial
Hospital (Easton, MD) 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
September 12,2000 Anne Arundel
Medical Center (Annapolis, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 13, 2000 Peninsula Regional
Medical Center (Salisbury, MD) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 14, 2000 MedChi Offices 1211
Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 18, 2000 Doctors' Community
Hospital (Lanham, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 21, 2000 Montgomery County
Medical Society (Rockville, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
September 23, 2000 BPQA Office 4201
Patterson Ave (10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.)(Baltimore, MD)
October 4, 2000
Montgomery
County Medical Society (Rockville, MD)`
October 5, 2000
MedChi
Offices 1211 Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD)
November 9,
2000 MedChi
Offices 1211 Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD)
November 13, 2000 Peninsula Regional
Medical Center (Salisbury, MD)
November 16, 2000 Montgomery County
Medical Society (Rockville, MD)
December 4, 2000 Southern
Area (Civista Hospital LaPlata. MD)
December 7, 2000 MedChi
Offices 1211 Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD)
This program may also be approved for Category I CME (3-Hours).
These programs are free. However, everyone must register to attend. A light dinner is provided at all evening sessions.
If you have any questions, please contact Rod Clark, Education and Training Director, at
410-764-2492, or 1-800 492-6836, ext. #2492. You may also contact us by E-Mail at:
KMELVILLE@DHMH.STATE.MD.US
You must choose a first and second preference and fax or mail
the completed form to:
FAX: 410-358-2252
Mail To: New Physician Orientation Program
BPQA
4201 Patterson Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
Name:_______________________________________ License #: _______________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________
City: _________________________________ State: ___ Zip Code _______________________
Home Telephone :_______________________ Office Telephone: _______________________
Fax : ______________________________Pager # : _____________________________________
E-Mail Address: _____________________ License #: ____________________________________
Please indicate your first and second program preference. You will receive a confirmation,
course information and directions once your information is received and you have been
scheduled by BPQA for this program.
1st Preference:_____________________ 2nd Preference:___________________________
NEW PHYSICIAN MEMBERS OF BPQA WILL BE SELECTED
FROM THE FOLLOWING CANDIDATES.
Licensed physicians and osteopathic physicians are eligible to cast a ballot. You may make
up to two selections for candidates to fill the vacancies on the Board. Ballots which
designate only one candidates 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 33 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.
Richard Ashby, M.D., has a private practice in family medicine in Prince George's County. He resides in Mitchellville, Maryland. Dr. Ashby received his M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine in 1983. He has been licensed in Maryland since 1986. Dr. Ashby was nominated by the Prince George's Society of Health Professionals.
"I am honored to be nominated to serve on the BPQA. During my career in medicine,
I have served on quality management committees of several major health plans, which
included credentialing activity. As Chairman of the Family Practice Department at
Washington Adventist Hospital, I have been involved in peer review and credentialing
activities. I am on the medical staff of 4 Maryland hospitals. I continue to be involved
in community organizations such as the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and the
Crime Solvers of Prince George's County. My experiences through the above listed
activities and many other experiences through out my 15 years of medical practice allow me
to greatly contribute to the mission of the BPQA. I accept the nomination and am committed
to provide the required time to serve."
Phyllis K. Barson, M.D. is an anesthesiologist at the Bowie Health
Center. 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. Dr. Barson was nominated by the Dimension Surgery Center.
"I wish to be considered for the Board of Physician Quality Assurance. I am a
practicing anesthesiologist/algologist with over 20 years experience. With a recent MPH, I
believe that I have enabled myself to stay current with the many aspects facing us in
medicine today. I believe that my expertise in pain management would bring the 'Board' the
knowledge of current trends in pain management and a fairness to any physician whose
practice may be in question concerning issues relevant to pain management. As Chief of
Anesthesia at Bowie Health Center, I have experience in dealing with moral and ethical
issues in the practice of medicine."
Robert J. Dawson, M.D., is a pediatrician practicing in Cumberland,
Maryland. He resides in Allegany County. He received his M.D. from the University of
Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, in 1959, and he has been licensed in
Maryland since 1964. Dr. Dawson was nominated by the Maryland Chapter of the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
"I have been a practicing pediatrician for thirty-five years and I am now
beginning to cut back the time I spend in clinical practice. This will give me time to
pursue other endeavors. During my career, I was Chairman of both Pediatric Departments in
the local hospitals. I served on the Board of Memorial Hospital for a number of years, and
one of my many duties during that time was the Chairman of the Quality Assurance
Committee. I have been interested in Quality Assurance and have served on several
committees over the years. At least part of this is devoted to increasing quality care. I
feel like this experience would be useful and would qualify me to be a member of the Board
of Physician Quality Assurance."
Paul T. Elder, M.D., is an anesthesiologist at the Anne Arundel Medical
Center, Annapolis, Maryland. He resides in Annapolis, Maryland. Dr. Elder received his
M.D. from Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan in 1976. He has
been licensed in Maryland since 1984. Dr. Elder was nominated by the Maryland - District
of Columbia Society of Anesthesiologists.
"Peer review is critical to a quality health care delivery system. The peer
review must be carried out in a fair, timely, and evenhanded manner. Physicians unwilling
to judge themselves in a critical light will come to be judged by others in a harsher
light. If appointed to the Board, I shall strive to keep the legitimate needs and
expectations of all affected (patients, community, and physicians) central to the
process."
Richard M. Hirata, M.D., is a head and neck surgeon practicing in
Baltimore County, Maryland. He resides in Timonium, Maryland. Dr. Hirata received his M.D.
from Cornell University Medical College, in Ithaca, New York in 1965. He has been licensed
in Maryland since 1981. Dr. Hirata was nominated by the Baltimore County Medical
Association.
"I have served on the Peer Review Committee of the Baltimore County Medical
Association for a number of years, including serving as Chairman. During that period of
time, I gained a healthy respect for the peer review process and the necessary balance
required to advocate for the patients we care for, while doing our best to assure
physician quality and competence. I particularly appreciate our work to improve physician
competence (when necessary) by recommending courses of action to achieve that objective. I
do take seriously all that is entailed in physician quality assurance and hope to serve
the community of physicians and patients to the best of my ability. That is why I wish to
serve on the Board of Physician Quality Assurance."
Jon M. Katz, M.D., is an ob/gyn practicing in Baltimore, Maryland. He
resides in Lutherville, Maryland. Dr. Katz received his M.D from the New York University
School of Medicine, New York City, New York in 1985. He has been licensed in Maryland
since 1991. Dr. Katz is nominated by 25 licensed Maryland physicians.
"I have practiced High-Risk Obstetrics in Maryland since 1991. My experiences
include being an active participant in Department of Ob/Gyn Quality Assurance meetings,
serving on the hospital Medical Ethics and Patient's Rights committee, and providing
defense medical expert review and courtroom testimony for my peers. My goal is to work
diligently with colleagues on the BPQA to assure the best medical care possible be
provided for patients in Maryland."
Anthony D. Slonim, M.D., M.P.H., is an attending physician in critical
care medicine at the Children's National Medical Center in Washington D.C. He resides in
North Potomac, Maryland. Dr. Slonim received his M.D. from New York Medical College,
Valhalla, New York in 1991. He has been licensed in Maryland since 1995. Dr Slonim was
nominated by Washington Area Critical Care Society.
"I would appreciate the opportunity to serve on your BPQA and contribute to its
mission and objectives. The BPQA is a panel of physicians working for physicians. My
credentials include service as Delegate to the AMA's Young Physicians' section and as
Secretary to the Surgeon General's Physicians' Advisory Committee. I am in pursuit of a
doctorate in health policy. My research interests relate to quality in healthcare."
Eric S. Wargotz, M.D., is Chief of Pathology at Doctors Community
Hospital in Lanham, Maryland. He resides in Queen Anne County. He received his M.D. from
Ohio State University of Medicine, Columbus , Ohio, in 1983. Dr. Wargotz received his
Maryland license in 1989. He is sponsored by the Prince George's Medical Society.
"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."
This ballot is for licensed Maryland physicians only. Please vote for no more than two candidates.
This ballot must be received by June 10, 2000
Name: _________________________________________________________________________
(PRINT)
Address: ________________________________________________________________________
City,State Zip: ___________________________________________________________________
Maryland Medical License #:______________________________________________________
(REQUIRED OR BALLOT IS INVALID)
Signature: __________________________________________________________________
VOTE FOR NO MORE THAN TWO
_____ RICHARD ASHBY, M.D.
_____ PHYLLIS K. BARSON, M.D.
_____ ROBERT J. DAWSON, M.D.
_____ PAUL T. ELDER, M.D.
_____ RICHARD M. HIRATA, M.D.
_____ JON M. KATZ, M.D.
_____ ANTHONY D. SLONIM, M.D.
_____ ERIC S.WARGOTZ, M.D.
Physicians whose last names begin with the letters A-L must renew their medical licenses before September 30, 2000. 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. The total fee for the renewal this year is $508.00.
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, or check our website at www.docboard.org or www.dsd.state.md.us to find this information. The dates your CME credits were earned must fall within the 2 years since your last renewal, and you must keep documentation for 6 years.
Physicians whose renewal applications are not postmarked by September 30, 2000, 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 $100 late fee. Until their licenses are renewed, physicians who file late applications are not authorized to practice medicine. Any physician who does not renew his/her license by the end of the two month period will have to go through the full reinstatement process to reactivate the license. Physicians practicing without a valid license are subject to fines up to $50,000.
MISREPRESENTATION OF CREDENTIALS SUBJECT TO CHARGES
The BPQA intends to investigate and charge physicians who misrepresent their credentials or professional practice in order to sign a certificate of merit or to testify in malpractice cases. Physicians will be charged under §14-404 (a)(3) "Is guilty of immoral or unprofessional conduct in the practice of medicine" and §14-404(a)(11) "Willfully makes or offers a false report or record in the practice of medicine."
The BPQA reviews all malpractice claims filed with the Health Claims Arbitration Office. In order for a malpractice complaint to proceed, there must be a certificate of merit filed within 90 days or the claim is dismissed. The certificate of merit should be signed by a licensed physician who is qualified by training and/or experience to be an expert in the case in question. In addition, physicians serving as expert witnesses are excluded by Maryland law if they spend more than 20% of their time on matters directly related to giving testimony.