Daily Times (Salisbury, Maryland)

January 12, 2012 Thursday

Psychiatrist’s license suspended after sexual misconduct

BYLINE: By, Sharahn D. Boykin

SECTION: NEWS

LENGTH: 199 words

SALISBURY — The state physicians board has suspended the medical license of a Salisbury psychiatrist after it determined he had engaged in sexual misconduct with a female patient.
The board suspended Dr. Daniel S. Smithpeter’s license for three years when it made its ruling in December; however, the suspension could be lifted after a year if he completes a professional ethics course.
“Dr. Smithpeter used the authority and trust granted to him as a psychiatrist to subject this patient to his sexual overtures and acts while engaged in a medical appointment in his office,” wrote John T. Papavasiliou, deputy director of the physicians board, in the board’s written decision.
The patient was being treated at Delmarva Family Resources on North Salisbury Boulevard when the sexual relationship with Smithpeter started in 2005.
Smithpeter, who was licensed in 1996, is identified as the owner of Delmarva Family Resources in board documents.
The psychiatrist’s license suspension came almost a month after a Salisbury pain management doctor’s license was suspended in December.
Maryland State Board of Physicians suspended Dr. Brent Fox’s medical license at the conclusion of a drug investigation.