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.



BPQA

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 6, 2000                    MedChi Offices 1211 Cathedral Street (Baltimore, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 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 8, 2000               Doctors' Community Hospital (Lanham, MD) 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 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 2, 2000              Washington County Medical Center (Hagerstown, 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."



2000 BALLOT

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.




RENEWAL TIME FOR PHYSICIANS

 

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.



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