MEDIA
Antipsychotic Drug Use Up in Elderly Despite Warnings
Safety warnings slowed the use of antipsychotic drugs in seniors with dementia. But the overall use of the drugs in the elderly increased, a finding which suggests that warnings may not be sufficient to protect patients, Canadian researchers say. "This finding highlights the limited impact of warnings and suggests that more effective approaches are needed to protect vulnerable populations from potentially hazardous medications," wrote Dr. Geoffrey Anderson, of the University of Toronto, and colleagues. The study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
Russ Voltin, Psychiatrist, reprimanded for inappropriate relationship with patient
Charleston Daily Mail (West Virginia) Board reprimands psychiatrist; Man allegedly had personal relationship with a patient August 28, 2008 The state Board of Medicine has publicly reprimanded and given a three-year probation to a South Charleston psychiatrist accused of having an inappropriate personal relationship with a patient. Dr. Russ Voltin, who also works as co-medical director of the forensic evaluation unit at South Central Regional Jail, allegedly had inappropriate contact with the woman through telephone conversations, e-mail and text messages. The doctor denied any sexual contact with the patient. Voltin said the former patient concealed her identity from him, according [...]
Nirmala Karnam, psychiatrist, found guilty of reckless endangerment
The Associated Press Pa. woman sentenced in student's traffic death Dateline: Allentow, Pa. August 29, 2008 An eastern Pennsylvania psychiatrist faces four years' probation and must surrender her driver's license in connection with a November 2006 traffic crash that killed an 18-year-old Kutztown University student. Nirmala Karnam of Easton was acquitted of vehicular homicide in the crash on Route 309 near Allentown that killed 18-year-old Tara Koshinski, but found guilty of reckless endangerment and traffic violations. Lehigh County Judge Robert Steinberg ordered the 64-year-old psychiatrist Thursday to pay $10,000 into a scholarship fund named in honor of Koshinski. She must [...]
Stephen Shapiro, psychiatrist, long-term sexual relationship with a female patient he was treating for depression
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, New York) DOCTOR'S LICENSE REVOKED; STATE SAYS FAYETTEVILLE PSYCHIATRIST HAD A SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH A PATIENT By James T. Mulder April 2, 2008 The state has revoked the medical license of a Fayetteville psychiatrist accused of carrying on a long-term sexual relationship with a female patient he was treating for depression. A hearing committee of the state Board for Professional Medical Conduct said Dr. Stephen M. Shapiro, 67, of 900 Fayetteville-Manlius Road, embarked on a seven-year relationship with the woman after she was referred to him in 1998 by her husband, also one of Shapiro's patients. "He [...]
Alfred Harold Leitmanis – sexual behaviour with a female patient
The Age Banned psychiatrist appeals board ruling Mex Cooper A Melbourne psychiatrist twice banned for making sexual advances on female patients is fighting to regain his medical registration. Alfred Harold Leitmanis was struck off the medical register in January 2004 after he allegedly told a patient he dreamed of having sex with her and took her to his house where he tried to kiss her. Dr Leitmanis had told the woman\'s GP he believed she suffered from low self-esteem and sought approval through sexual relationships after she was referred to him in April 2002. The patient told a hearing of [...]
Thomas Peterson, Psychiatrist, improperly prescribed anti-psychotics to children
The Associated Press Medical board reinstates GF psychiatrist April 3, 2008 Dateline: Bismarck, N.D. The state Board of Medical Examiners has reinstated the medical license of a Grand Forks psychiatrist accused of improperly prescribing medication to children. Thomas M. Peterson's license was reinstated on Wednesday. The board had restricted his license last month after he improperly prescribed anti-psychotic medication to two children. The board says Peterson has since completed a course at Harvard on child and adolescent pharmacology. His license will remain on probation for three years. The medical board also placed Lois Freisleben-Cook on probation for three years for [...]
Ex-patient sues Psychiatrist Jeremy Roberts over sex abuse
Calgary Herald Ex-patient sues doctor over sex abuse Richard Cuthbertson A city psychiatrist barred from practising medicine is facing a lawsuit from a former patient accusing him of \"professional negligence and sexual abuse.\" On Monday, the Alberta College of Physicians and Surgeons announced it had revoked Jeremy Roberts\' licence to practise. A hearing found he\'d had an inappropriate relationship with a patient that included sexual activity. The woman was not identified. The patient\'s $250,000 lawsuit was launched independently from the college\'s investigation into Roberts\' conduct. The statement of claim says the woman went to see Roberts for treatment of anxiety, [...]
Charles Grade, Psychiatrist, Found not guilt of sexually exploiting patient
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Wisconsin) Psychiatrist acquitted of assault By Ryan Haggerty March 7, 2008 A psychiatrist accused of sexually assaulting a female patient was acquitted of all charges by a jury Thursday. Charles Grade, 45, of Wauwatosa was found not guilty on three counts of sexual exploitation by a therapist. Each felony count carried a penalty of up to 12-½ years in prison. The woman, whose identity was kept sealed by the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, had accused Grade of having sexual contact with her on three occasions in 2005 and 2006. Grade testified during his trial this week that [...]
David Linden, psychiatrist, accused of writing $300,000 bad checks to casinos in Las Vegas
The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City, OK) Doctor to face Nevada charges; Psychiatrist accused of writing bad checks valued at $300,000 to casinos in Las Vegas. By Augie Frost and Jim Killackey March 7, 2008 A psychiatrist practicing in Oklahoma City and Las Vegas was released from jail Thursday on the condition he return to Las Vegas, where he has been charged with passing more than $300,000 in bogus checks, according to Las Vegas police. Dr. David Earl Linden, 54, of Edmond, was arrested Feb. 28 at his office at 1608 NW Expressway by Oklahoma County sherriff's deputies, according to an arrest [...]
Perveen Rathore, psychiatrist, assaulted two hospital police officers
TELEGRAM & GAZETTE (Massachusetts) State suspends area psychiatrist; License yanked after incident at UMMC By Thomas Caywood March 13, 2008 State medical regulators last week suspended the license of a local psychiatrist, who practiced at UMass Memorial Medical Center and at a private practice in Westboro, after the doctor allegedly ignored an on-call assignment last spring and then assaulted two hospital police officers and a nursing supervisor later that day. Dr. Perveen Rathore, 51, of 5 Arrowhead Lane, Westboro, voluntarily agreed not to practice medicine in early June 2007, shortly after the fracas at UMass Memorial. The state Board of [...]