Saint Paul Pioneer Press (Minnesota)

November 24, 2004 Wednesday ST. PAUL EDITION

TWO PSYCHIATRISTS’ LICENSES SUSPENDED

BYLINE: Tom Majeski, Pioneer Press

SECTION: LOCAL; Pg. B6

LENGTH: 449 words

Two Edina psychiatrists have had their licenses suspended, one indefinitely and the other for six months, the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice announced Tuesday.
The board also reprimanded and fined a Hibbing physician for improperly prescribing pain medications.
Dr. Nancy A. Kermath, 54, had her license suspended indefinitely for violating an earlier board order; unethical and unprofessional conduct; inability to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, drunkenness, use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals or any other type of material or as a result of any mental or physical condition; becoming addicted or habituated to a drug or intoxicant; and failure to cooperate with the board’s investigation.
According to board documents, Kermath has a history of bipolar disorder and chemical dependency and has been disciplined on several previous occasions by the board. Among other things, the board said she missed meetings with investigators, likely diluted urine screenings and admitted altering a letter from her treating psychiatrist to “mislead the committee and present herself in a more favorable light.”
Besides the indefinite suspension, Kermath was reprimanded and fined $2,500.
The second Edina psychiatrist, Dr. David A. Augustine, 45, was disciplined for unethical and unprofessional conduct and engaging in conduct with a patient that is sexual or may reasonably be interpreted by the patient as sexual.
According to the board, Augustine treated one of his female patients for about 16 1/2 months. During that period, he engaged in a number of inappropriate and sexually seductive behaviors, including prolonged hugs; kisses on her cheeks, hair and shoulder; allowing her on one occasion to lick his fingers; taking two walks with his arm around her; and making excessive self-disclosure of personal information, including details about his personal and private life.
Besides the six-month license suspension, Augustine was ordered to complete a program on how to properly deal with patients. He also was fined $2,950.
The Hibbing physician, Dr. Neil E. Hoyal, 48, was reprimanded and fined $2,500 for unethical and unprofessional conduct, improper management of medical records, and prescribing a drug or intoxicant for other than medically accepted purposes.
Board documents say that Hoyal inappropriately prescribed pain medications to seven patients, including one who had to be hospitalized and detoxified from drugs he had prescribed.
Besides the reprimand, Hoyal was fined $2,500.