MEDIA
Anthony Slowiaczek, Green Hills psychiatrist, “engaging in sexual relationship with a ‘vulnerable female’ patient” – guilty of professional misconduct
Maitland Mercury Former Green Hills psychiatrist disqualified over affair with patient By Meg Francis August 14, 2019 A former Green Hills psychiatrist has been found guilty of professional misconduct, and disqualified after engaging in sexual relationship with a "vulnerable female" patient. NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal found Anthony Slowiaczek guilty of professional misconduct for the "improper and sexual relation" with a female patient, identified as Patient A, between 2012 and 2016. Dr Slowiaczek was a specialist psychiatrist practising at the Maitland Specialist Centre, attached to the Maitland Private Hospital. Patient A had a history of childhood sexual abuse and sexual [...]
Aliveni Ramanujam, UK Psychiatrist, struck off for serious misconduct
Times & Star Failings that led to the downfall of Mind in West Cumbria By Lucy Jenkinson August 26, 2019 Psychiatrist Aliveni Ramanujam The true extent of failings within a West Cumbrian mental health charity which has been forced to close have now been revealed. A child sex offender and a shamed former doctor who had been struck off by the General Medical Council were among those involved with Mind in West Cumbria. It has also been claimed that complaints were not dealt with appropriately by the charity’s former chairman Dr Brian Campbell. Lee Visick of Workington, a [...]
UK Psychiatrist Aliveni Ramanujam copied material from Wikipedia to gain qualification
Shamed Birmingham medic copied material from Wikipedia to gain qualification By Jonny Greatrex June 26, 2012 :46, 24 OCT 2012 Psychiatrist Aliveni Ramanujam A PSYCHIATRIST copied material from Wikipedia and stole ideas from a student’s academic paper to gain the professional qualification she so badly wanted. Shamed medic Aliveni Ramanujam was suspended after being caught out TWICE while doing a distance learning course at the University of Gloucestershire. Dr Ramanujam, who worked with mental health patients in Birmingham and Solihull, was called in by her tutors who were concerned by the shoddy essay she submitted. They warned her [...]
Opelika psychiatrist James Edwards subject of lengthy investigation – arrested for overprescribing drugs
Opelika-Auburn News Opelika psychiatrist was under investigation for more than a year By Sara Palczewski July 15, 2019 The Opelika psychiatrist facing federal drug charges previously was punished by the state medical examiners board for excessively dispensing stimulant medication, according to records obtained by the Opelika-Auburn News. Dr. James Edwards III was being investigated by the Alabama Board of Medical Examiners for more than a year prior to his arrest in connection to over-prescribing stimulant medications, according to a May 2018 "Order to Show Cause" filed by the board. Edwards was arrested Thursday and is charged with unlawful distribution of [...]
Lee Altman, Stoughton psychiatrist, office raided by Federal Drug Agents
WCVB5 Authorities search Stoughton psychiatrist's office as part of prescription probe Former patient's mother had complained of Dr. Lee Altman's prescribing practices By Kathy Curran 5 Investigates Reporter July 17, 2019 Psychiatrist Lee Altman STOUGHTON, Mass. — Federal drug agents raided the office of a Stoughton psychiatrist Wednesday as part of an investigation into his prescription writing practices. Sources tell 5 Investigates that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Enforcement Administration is looking into Dr. Lee Altman's prescription practices, possible over-prescribing and the way he does business. Dr. Altman talks with agents searching his Stoughton office on Wednesday. Dr. Altman [...]
Isle of Man Psychiatrist Timothy Byrne has hearing on allegations of sexual misconduct in November 2019
Manx Radio Dr Timothy Byrne tribunal to continue in November July 22nd, 2019 Mental health boss accused of sexual misconduct Isle of Man Psychiatrist Timothy Byrne An investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by Dr Timothy Byrne, of Noble's Hospital, will recommence in November. The Clinical Director of Mental Health Services appeared before the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester from 8-18 July, but the hearing was adjourned. The tribunal will inquire into the allegation that between 2007 and 2016, Dr Byrne engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a patient, whilst acting as their treating psychiatrist or care [...]
NY Psych Xingjia Cui gets prison time for Defrauding Insurance Companies
WHAM Former VA psychiatrist convicted of defrauding insurance companies sentenced to prison by WHAM July 22, 2019 NY Psych Xingjia Cui Rochester, N.Y./Canandaigua, N.Y. – A Pittsford man convicted healthcare and tax fraud will serve a year in prison. Dr. Xingjia Cui, 56, has also been ordered to pay more than $597,000 in restitution. Cui was employed at the Canandaigua Veterans Administration Medical Center, and also had a private practice. Prosecutors say he billed insurance companies for services he did not actually provide. Between January 2013 and October 2015, they say he defrauded insurance companies of nearly $80,000. [...]
John Halkias, Queens Psychiatrist, “state oversight board” … “forbid him from treating women”
New York Post Queens shrink accused of stealing valuable family heirloom from former patient By Melissa Klein July 27, 2019 Psychiatrist John Halkias A Queens psychiatrist with boundary issues has refused for three decades to return a famed photograph, according to its owner who says she gave it to the doc only temporarily for safe keeping. Ruby Claudia York said she was going through a rough time in 1985 and, after a suicide attempt, landed in Metropolitan Hospital where Dr. John Halkias treated her. After she was discharged, York said she was about to rent a room in [...]
Queens Psychiatrist John Halkias – in hot water again
New York Post State orders shrink to treat only men after violating ‘boundaries’ Women will no longer be allowed on this shrink’s couch. By Melissa Klein October 23, 2016 Psychiatrist John Halkias Dr. John Halkias, who practices in Queens, is forbidden from treating female patients, a unique punishment handed down by the state Office of Professional Medical Conduct. The state charged the psychiatrist “violated professional boundaries . . . on more than one occasion” with a patient he treated in 2012 and early 2013, records show. Halkias, 61, reached a consent agreement with the OPMC, the state Health [...]
Richard Thompkins, Adelaide Psychiatrist, suspended for having sex with patient
The Advertiser Psychiatrist Dr Richard Birrell Thompkins suspended for a year for having sex with patient By Mitch Mott July 28, 2019 An Adelaide psychiatrist has been banned from taking on new female patients and suspended for a year after continuing to treat and prescribe drugs to a vulnerable woman who he was in a sexual relationship with. Dr Richard Birrell Thompkins also prescribed the woman, who suffered from severe mental illness and was addicted to medication, highly addictive benzodiazepines. He continued to prescribe the drugs to her even when a specialist doctor recommended she be admitted to hospital and [...]
Fairhope psychiatrist, James Edwards, 72, accused of writing illegal prescriptions
AL.com Indictment of Fairhope doctor says he wrote fake prescriptions An Alabama doctor has been indicted on three counts of writing illegitimate prescriptions for his patients. By Tyler Carter July 30, 2019 Psychiatrist James Edwards A Fairhope psychiatrist accused of writing illegal prescriptions has been indicted, according to U.S. Attorney Louis V. Franklin Sr. Dr. James Henry Edwards III, 72, of Fairhope, appeared in court on Tuesday for to be arraigned after being charged with drug distribution offenses. Until his arrest on July 11, 2019, Edwards was a practicing psychiatrist with offices in Opelika and Gulf Shores. Edwards [...]
Massachusetts Psychiatrist Keith Ablow settles sexual misconduct lawsuits
The Salem News Keith Ablow settles sexual misconduct lawsuits By Julie Manganis June 26, 2019 Psychiatrist Keith Ablow SALEM — A series of lawsuits alleging that celebrity Newburyport psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow had taken advantage of patients, including engaging in sexual behavior with them, inappropriately prescribing drugs and other "boundary violations," have been settled, court records show. Terms of the settlements were not disclosed in court filings late Tuesday in Salem Superior Court. Ablow, 57, of Newbury, has also had his medical license suspended in Massachusetts and New York. Ablow's attorney, Paul Cirel of Todd and Weld, said [...]
New Hartford psychiatrist Surendra Johri found guilty of sex abuse
Observer-Dispatch Former New Hartford psychiatrist sentenced in sex abuse case By Jolene Cleaver June 21, 2019 Psychiatrist Surendra Johri UTICA — A former New Hartford psychiatrist was sentenced Friday to probation for multiple sexual abuse convictions in Utica City Court. Surendra Johri, 62, was found guilty after a February trial of forcible touching and sexual abuse related to an April 15, 2017 incident involving a former patient as well as one count of sexual abuse related to a Nov. 11, 2017 incident involving a another patient. The abuse occurred during psychiatric patient sessions at Community Health and Behavioral [...]
Christopher Doyle, Mississauga psychiatrist, loses in attempt to regain his license
Toronto Sun Three strikes and Mississauga psychiatrist is out By Michele Mandel July 2, 2019 Psychiatrist Christopher Doyle There were warning signs from the start. And now, after his third round of trouble, a Mississauga psychiatrist has lost his court bid to have his medical licence reinstated. Dr. Christopher Doyle was stripped of his licence last year by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) for incompetence and professional misconduct, including sending a troubled woman to hospital in a suicidal state after abruptly firing her as a patient. Doyle had argued that his punishment was too [...]
UK Psychiatrist Shekhar Chandra – Sex with Patient in 2005, now allowed to “practice” again
BMJ Tribunal reaffirms decision that psychiatrist who was struck off can practise again By Clare Dyer July 5, 2019 --Excerpt A doctor who was struck off the UK medical register in 2008 for engaging in sexual acts with a vulnerable patient has been allowed back on the register, despite a successful General Medical Council appeal to the courts against the decision allowing him to resume practice. Shekhar Chandra was a senior house officer in psychiatry working on the Isle of Wight in 2005 when he twice met a vulnerable patient at her home, engaging in oral sex on the second [...]
Maninderpal Singh Dhillon, Michigan Psychiatrist – alcohol related escapades
Maninderpal Singh Dhillon, Michigan Psychiatrist - alcohol related escapades East Lansing Police Department State of Michigan, Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs -- Excerpt 3. On September 5, 2015, law enforcement responded to an accident involving Respondent's vehicle. Upon investigation it was determined that the vehicle left the road way at a high rate of speed and crashed into a residence resulting in damage to the resident's fencing, air conditioning unit, and external siding, as well as extensive damage to Respondent's vehicle. Respondent fled the scene and was not present when law enforcement arrived. Later that day, Respondent reported in [...]
James Edwards, Opelika, Alabama psychiatrist, Arrested, Office Raided by Feds
WRBL BREAKING: Opelika psychiatrist arrested; office raided in federal drug case By Elizabeth White July 11, 2019 OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) – An Opelika psychiatrist is facing federal drug charges as his office is searched by agents with the Drug Enforcement Agency. Thursday morning, DEA agents began conducting search warrants at the office of Dr. James H. Edwards III located off Executive Park Drive in Opelika. The sign next to the front door reveals Dr. Edwards is a psychiatrist and child psychiatrist. Doug Howard, a spokesperson with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Montgomery confirmed the search warrant and arrest with News [...]
Timothy Byrne, Isle of Man Psychiatrist, in hot water – sex with a patient in his office
Daily Mail Married psychiatrist had sex with a patient in his office and gave her a handkerchief doused in his aftershave so she would have a 'piece of him' during two-year affair, tribunal hears By Amie Gordon July 10, 2019 Isle of Man Psychiatrist Timothy Byrne A married consultant psychiatrist had sex with a patient in his office and kissed her during home visits as they had a two-year-long affair, a tribunal heard today. Father-of-one Dr Timothy Byrne gave the woman a handkerchief doused in his aftershave as a 'piece of him' and 'keepsake' of their romance, telling [...]
Boudewijn Chabot, Netherlands Psychiatrist – 2nd thoughts on euthanisia
WND TEEN GIRL EUTHANIZED FOR 'INSUFFERABLE' LIFE 'After years of battling and fighting, I am drained' By Art Moore June 4, 2019 Noa Pothoven Explaining that the pain of a childhood rape was “insufferable,” a 17-year-old Dutch girl took advantage of the Netherlands’ assisted suicide law and was euthanized on Sunday. In her autobiography, “Winning or Learning,” Noa Pothoven recounted her battles with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anorexia after being molested and raped as a young child, reported News.com.au. She wrote in an Instagram post the day before she died that “after years of battling and fighting, [...]
Toowoomba psychiatrist accused of raping a female patient – jury deliberating
The Chronicle (Toowoomba, Queensland) Rape trial set to conclude June 14, 2019 UnNamed Toowoomba psychiatrist THE Toowoomba District Court jury in the trial of a former Toowoomba psychiatrist accused of raping a female patient is expected to retire to consider a verdict today. The 48-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to three counts of rape of the same woman patient which the Crown claims occurred in 2013. The court has heard the relationship between the pair went beyond that of doctor/patient and the couple had engaged in a consensual sexual affair in 2013. However, the Crown case was [...]
Anatta Nergui, UK Psychiatrist, suspended, ordered his staff to tell his patients he had died
Derbyshire Live Derby doctor who smoked weed and told staff to tell patients he had DIED has suspension increased By Eddie Bisknell June 13, 2019 A doctor who admitted smoking cannabis – and ordered his staff to tell his patients he had died – has had his suspension extended AGAIN. Dr Anatta Nergui, an adult psychiatrist for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, has been suspended from the medical register for a further nine months. This is after he ran an online psychiatry service but failed to refer patients to professionals, putting them at “significant risk of [...]
Psychiatrist Pradeep Mathur, Poland (Ohio) pleads guilty in drug case
WFMJ Poland psychiatrist sentenced after making plea deal By Mike Gauntner June 14, 2019 Psychiatrist Pradeep Mathur A Poland psychiatrist who was indicted for allegedly lying to obtain prescriptions for a family member has been sentenced after pleading guilty to reduced charges. Sixty-one-year-old Dr. Pradeep Mathur pleaded guilty Thursday to attempted deception to obtain and dangerous drug, attempted violation of drug database laws, and attempting the illegal processing of drug documents, which are all first degree misdemeanors reduced from felonies. Mathur was placed on probation for six months and fined $3,000. According to the indictment, Dr. Mathur allegedly [...]
Aussie Psych Philip Bird disciplined over ADHD treatment
w3livenews.com Queensland doctor disciplined over ADHD treatment By Daily Mercury June 14, 2019 Psychiatrist Philip Bird A Sunshine Coast psychiatrist has been disciplined for prescribing a potent drug, after diagnosing three people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. An expert found insufficient evidence for Philip Bird to diagnose ADHD and prescribe the stimulant dexamphetamine for a "complex mental health patient'' in his mid-40s. The man remained on the drug of dependence for more than eight years, Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard. The Medical Board of Australia originally brought disciplinary proceedings against Dr Philip Bird in 2014, in relation [...]
Dale Wallington, West Hartford psychiatrist, fined for prescribing too much Xanax
Hartford Courant West Hartford psychiatrist fined for prescribing too much Xanax By Kate Farrish MAY 21, 2019 -- Excerpt Psychiatrist Dale Wallington The state Medical Examining Board on Tuesday disciplined five physicians, including fining a West Hartford psychiatrist $7,500 for prescribing excessive doses of Xanax... The board also reprimanded the medical license of the psychiatrist, Dr. Dale Wallington, for performing an inadequate diagnosis of the patient and for failing to implement strategies between 2008 and 2017 to prevent the patient’s abuse of Xanax and Vyvanse, a consent order Wallington agreed to said. Vyvanse is used to treat attention deficit [...]
Newburyport psychiatrist Keith Ablow, now suspended in New York “engaged in sexual activity and boundary violations with multiple patients”
The Salem News Ablow hearing delayed; New York also suspends license By Julie Manganis May 21, 2019 Psychiatrist Keith Ablow SALEM — A hearing on a request to freeze assets of Newburyport psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, who is being sued by three women accusing him of inappropriate conduct, has been delayed. The hearing had been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, but on Tuesday, lawyers filed a joint request to postpone the proceeding until June 26. Ablow, whose medical license was suspended last week by the state Board of Registration in Medicine, is facing a total of four lawsuits in Essex [...]