Saint Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

December 3, 1999 Friday

STATE BOARD DISCIPLINES 6 DOCTORS;
FORMER STILLWATER PRISON MEDICAL DIRECTOR SANCTIONED

BYLINE: Tom Majeski Staff Writer

SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. 3B

LENGTH: 764 words

The former medical director of the Minnesota Correctional Facilities in Stillwater has been disciplined for unprofessional conduct and improper management of medical records, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice announced Thursday.
In other action, the board reprimanded a Roseville psychiatrist for engaging in sexual conduct with a female patient and disciplined four out-of-state doctors who also have licenses to practice medicine in Minnesota.
Dr. Angelito C. Ramos, 61, of St. Paul served as medical director at the Stillwater prison from 1992 to 1998. He also provided medical services there part time from 1986 to 1992.
During its investigation, the board found deficiencies in the medical records of five patients Ramos treated at the Stillwater prison and 30 other patients he treated in his private practice, dating back to the 1970s. They included a consistent lack of information about patients’ symptoms and problems, medical history, physical condition and authorization for telephone medication refills.
The board also found that Ramos failed to order proper diagnostic tests for two prison inmates, both of whom later died of their illnesses. Ramos also failed to adequately document a third inmate’s fatal bout of asthma, the board said.
The board ordered Ramos to successfully complete courses on pharmacology, family practice review, communications and record keeping within 12 months. He also was ordered to pass a special test and pay a $4,000 fine.
Board documents show that the Roseville psychiatrist, Dr. David A. Paulson, 52, provided psychiatric care during a seven-year period to a female patient with a history of chronic migraines and episodes of depression. In time, their sessions turned intimate and the therapy was canceled. However, they continued their personal relationship in the office weekly for about the next eight months, the board said.
In December 1997, Paulson voluntarily underwent a psychiatric evaluation and reported his inappropriate behavior to the board.
Besides the reprimand, the board prohibited Paulson from engaging in conduct with a patient that is sexual or may reasonably be interpreted by the patient as sexual. He also was ordered to continue receiving therapy, practice only in a pre-approved setting, not provide psychotherapy to patients on an individual basis, have a chaperone present when meeting with female patients, successfully compete a professional boundaries course within 12 months and pay a $4,000 fine.
The out-of-state physicians disciplined by the board are:
Dr. Marvin D. Clifton, 50, of Baton Rouge, La., who was found guilty of submitting numerous invoices to the federal Workers Compensation Program for services rendered even though the patients he had allegedly treated had missed their appointments. Under the board’s order, Clifton cannot practice in Minnesota unless he first notifies the board.
Dr. Robert G. Henrickson, 52, of Sioux Falls, S.D., who forfeited his South Dakota license after he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled drug or substance. According to the board, South Dakota officials charged Henrickson with the felony after they discovered that he arranged several times to have a lingerie model from an escort service meet him in a hotel, where he had registered under a false name. After many of the modeling sessions, Henrickson wrote controlled-drug prescriptions for the model or her mother. Prompted by the South Dakota action, the board ordered Henrickson to surrender his Minnesota license.
Dr. John D. Seifert, 62, of Garland, Texas, who was fined $5,000 there for submitting one or more hospital privilege applications containing false or misleading statements pertaining to a past arrest and/or investigation by the Texas medical board. The Minnesota board ordered Seifert not to practice in Minnesota until he submits proof that he paid the fine and notifies the board of his intention. At that time, the board may impose additional restrictions on his Minnesota license.
Dr. S. Fred Everett, 64, of Fargo, N.D., who had his license restricted there because of concerns about his ability to treat patients’ psychiatric conditions, prescribe psychotropic drugs and to refer patients requiring hospitalization to the care of other physicians. The board ordered Everett to comply with the North Dakota restrictions and, if he intends to practice in Minnesota, meet with the board’s complaint review committee.