At its December 13, 2024, meeting, the Texas Medical Board disciplined 18 licensed physicians.
The disciplinary actions included: three voluntary surrenders/revocations, one suspension, two orders related to unprofessional conduct, three orders related to quality of care, three orders related to standard of care, two orders related to nontherapeutic prescribing, and four orders related to other states’ actions. The Board also ratified six cease and desist orders.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Voluntary Surrender/Revocation
Anderson, Charles Peter, M.D., Lic. No. E1801, San Marcos
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Charles Peter Anderson, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Surrender in which he agreed to voluntarily surrender his Texas medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings. The Board found that Dr. Anderson committed unprofessional conduct by violating several requirements of an Agreed Order entered on June 9, 2023.
Cejudo, Raul Fernando, M.D., Lic. No. H3661, Dallas
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Raul Fernando Cejudo, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Surrender in which he agreed to voluntarily surrender his Texas medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings. The Board found that during the month of December 2022, Dr. Cejudo was diverting Demerol from patients for himself and tested positive for Demerol on February 2, 2023. On March 15, 2023, while under peer investigation for the disappearance of the Demerol, Dr. Cejudo resigned.
Schmidt, Ingrid Elisabeth, M.D., Lic. No. E4663, Austin
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Ingrid Elisabeth Schmidt, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Surrender in which she agreed to voluntarily and permanently surrender her Texas medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings. Dr. Schmidt was under investigation by the Board for issues related to impairment and requesting diversion of medication from a patient.
Suspension
Pham, Huong Diem, M.D., Lic. No. S5734, Missouri City
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Huong Diem Pham, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing suspending her license and requiring her to schedule an assessment with the Texas A&M Health Science Center Knowledge, Skills, Training, Assessment, and Research (KSTAR) program. The Board found Dr. Pham’s Mississippi license was suspended by the Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure due to complications after a C-section delivery that took longer than normal; practicing beyond her skills; and concerns about her competency after an evaluation from the PACE and CPEP programs. Upon presentation of clear and convincing evidence to the Board that Dr. Pham is able to safely practice medicine, her suspension may be stayed and she may be placed on probation under such terms and conditions which the Board in its discretion determines are necessary to adequately protect the public. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Unprofessional Conduct
Joshi, Astik, M.D., Lic. No. S3687, Lubbock On December 13, 2024, the Board and Astik Joshi, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order, lifting the temporary suspension on Dr. Joshi’s license; and publicly referring him to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP). The Board found that Dr. Joshi suffers from impairment and resigned his position May 1, 2024, based on unprofessional conduct and failing to meet the standard of care for one psychiatric patient.
Lenz, Paul Albert, M.D., Lic. No. J7553, Brownsville
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Paul Albert Lenz, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring Dr. Lenz to within one year complete the boundaries course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least 12 hours of CME as follows: at least four hours in ethics, at least four hours in medical record keeping and at least four hours in risk management. The Board found Dr. Lenz engaged in unprofessional conduct with one patient with whom he was having a romantic relationship which lasted seven years and prescribed multiple medications including trazodone and diethylpropion while romantically involved with the patient and failed to adequately document the reason for these prescriptions in the medical records. Thereafter, Dr. Lenz improperly terminated patient’s care.
Quality of Care
Mitchell, Jared Albritton, M.D., Lic. No. T9750, Edna
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Jared Albritton Mitchell, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order that requires Dr. Mitchell to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least 16 hours of continuing medical education, divided as follows: four hours in the topic of risk management, four hours in the topic of medical recordkeeping, four hours in the topic of boundaries, and four hours in the topic of appropriate treatment of depression. The Board found Dr. Mitchell had a sexual relationship with one patient and failed to document prescriptions for that patient in the medical record.
Spelman-Ojeda, Dawn Brittany, M.D., Lic. No. N1459, Grand Prairie
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Dawn Spelman-Ojeda, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: to within one year complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: four hours in critical care management, four hours in risk management, and eight hours in medical recordkeeping. Respondent failed to provide an appropriate emergency room follow-up assessment for one patient. Respondent documented the patient encounter six days later and after learning of patient death. Respondent failed to refer the patient to the emergency department immediately to be tested for pulmonary embolism. Respondent had her clinical privileges revoked due to substandard patient care, inadequate medical record documentation, and history of counseling and formal coaching.
Zeitlin, Michael Pierre, M.D., Lic. No. H7262, Brownsville
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Michael Pierre Zeitlin, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not prescribe, administer, or dispense Schedule II controlled substances, with the exception of Schedule II drugs that are defined as stimulants, in Texas other than a prescription written to Dr. Zeitlin for personal use; shall not use his Texas medical license in any jurisdiction to diagnose, treat, or prescribe controlled substances to patients in Texas for chronic or post-surgical, postprocedure, persistent non-chronic pain, or engage in the practice of pain management in Texas; shall not be permitted to supervise or delegate prescriptive authority to a physician assistant or advanced practice nurse or supervise a surgical assistant; and within one year complete at least eight hours of CME, divided as follows: four hours in the topic of medical record keeping, and four hours in the topic of risk management. The Board found that Dr. Zeitlin violated the standard of care for 15 chronic pain patients. Specifically, he non-therapeutically prescribed controlled substances including opioids and failed to adhere to the Board’s guidelines and standards for the treatment of chronic pain. Dr. Zeitlin failed to monitor patients for treatment efficacy, adverse side effects, and substance use/diversion; failed to follow-up with images, multi-modal pain management, evaluate developing tolerance document, and order objective studies such as X-rays, CT, or MRI scans; failed to register two pain management clinics which he owns and operates; and failed to adequately supervise his mid-level practitioners who were practicing at these two pain management clinics.
Standard of Care
Aguirre-Burgos, Jesus Ignacio, M.D., Lic. No. E6206, Laredo
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Jesus Ignacio Aguirre-Burgos, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall, if he has not already done so, within seven days surrender his DEA Controlled Substances Registration Certificates, shall not possess, administer, or prescribe any controlled substances in Texas, shall not reregister or otherwise obtain controlled substances registration without prior board authorization; and shall not be permitted to supervise or delegate prescriptive authority to a physician assistant or advanced practice nurse or supervise a surgical assistant. The Board found Dr. Aguirre-Burgos prescribed a controlled substance to a patient without a comprehensive examination, monitoring or indications. Dr. Aguirre-Burgos failed to review the Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP) before prescribing to the patient, failed to enter into a pain management contract with the patient and prescribed concurrent prescriptions of a controlled substance so the patient could fill each at separate pharmacies and failed to document such prescriptions in the medical record. Dr. Aguirre-Burgos does not admit or deny the findings but agreed to the Agreed Order to avoid further investigation, hearings, and the expense and inconvenience of litigation.
Gomes, Andrew, M.D., Lic. No. P2859, Sugar Land
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Andrew Gomes, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing under the following terms: within 30 calendar days of entry of this Agreed Order, and after that at all times while under the terms of this Order, shall ensure that he as well as all physicians providing, or overseeing as proper delegation, anesthesia services in outpatient settings within any clinics which Dr. Gomes owns or operates are: registered through the Board's Office Based Anesthesia Services (OBAS) program; or successfully accredited as an office-based surgery facility or treatment room by the Joint Commission relating to ambulatory surgical centers, the American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities, or the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least 44 hours of CME, divided as follows: 12 hours in the topic of supervision and delegation, eight hours in medical recordkeeping, eight hours in ethics, eight hours in risk management, and eight hours in postoperative care in the recovery room and handling post-operative complications. The Board found Dr. Gomes failed to meet the standard of care in the treatment of 12 patients at his office-based peripheral arterial disease clinics where anesthesia is also administered. Dr. Gomes inadequately supervised his delegates and delegated to unlicensed individuals like medical assistants and patient care assistants, who were not qualified to perform certain procedures and who were caring for patients postoperatively without supervision. Additionally, the medical records for these patients did not adequately support the medical necessity for three invasive procedures they underwent and failed to identify who was performing the procedures. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Khosla, Ankur, M.D., Lic. No. N9722, Shenandoah
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Ankur Khosla, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring Dr. Khosla to have his practice monitored by another physician for eight consecutive monitoring cycles; and within one year complete at least eight hours of CME, divided as follows: four hours on the topic of postop management of spine surgery patients and four hours on medical recordkeeping. The Board found Dr. Khosla failed to meet the standard of care with one patient when he performed lumbar spine surgery on the patient, which was aborted. No clear medical necessity or justification for this procedure was documented in the medical records. Dr. Khosla performed a second surgery. After the second surgery, Dr. Khosla failed to recognize or monitor severe complication(s) and discharged the patient within hours of the second procedure. Subsequently, the patient died of the surgical complications.
Nontherapeutic Prescribing
Cooper, Darrella Lynnette, M.D., Lic. No. M1600, Beaumont
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Darrella Lynnette Cooper, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not possess, administer, or prescribe controlled substances, with the exception of Schedule V medications, in Texas other than prescriptions written to her by a licensed provider for personal use; if she has not already surrendered her controlled substance certificates for Schedules II, III, and IV or otherwise had such certificates cancelled, Dr. Cooper shall surrender to the appropriate agency, within seven days of the entry of this Order, her Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Controlled Substances Registration Certificates for Schedules II, III, and IV and shall promptly sign the appropriate DEA forms to accomplish cancellation of these registrations; within 30 days schedule an assessment with the Texas A&M Health Science Center Knowledge, Skills, Training, Assessment, and Research (KSTAR) program; within one year complete the physician prescribing course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and have her practice monitored by another physician for 12 consecutive monitoring cycles. The Board found Dr. Cooper was operating an unregistered pain management clinic and engaging in non-therapeutic prescribing of large volumes of controlled substances including, but not limited to, opioids to sixteen patients. Dr. Cooper improperly delegated prescribing authority to mid-level providers without entering into appropriate prescriptive authority agreements, without creating required written protocols, standing medical orders, and standing delegation orders. Dr. Cooper failed to provide records to a patient and failed to respond to Board’s subpoenas for patient records.
Lewis, Harold Davis, D.O., Lic. No. E6126, Dripping Springs
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Harold Davis Lewis, D.O., entered into a Mediated Agreed Order under the following terms: shall limit his medical practice to serving only in the role as a Medical Director for a methadone treatment center; shall be restricted from prescribing controlled substances or dangerous drugs, except for methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone, and only for administration to patients of the methadone treatment center where he serves as the medical director; shall not prescribe controlled substances or dangerous drugs to any patients outside of the methadone treatment center under any circumstances; shall not assume the position of Medical Director of more than one methadone clinic without notifying the Board and receiving approval from the Board prior to assuming such position; within six months complete the medical recordkeeping course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $1,000. The Board found that Dr. Lewis failed to meet the standard of care, non-therapeutically prescribed, and failed to adhere to the established guidelines and requirements for the treatment of chronic pain for three patients.
Other States’ Actions
Mallory, Grant William, M.D., Lic. No. R4739, Corpus Christi
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Grant William Mallory, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order publicly reprimanding him. The Board found Dr. Mallory had a disciplinary action taken against him by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice for substandard care or inadequate skill level. Specifically, Dr. Mallory performed a wrong-side surgery on a patient.
Nyotowidjojo, Iwan Sugiharto, M.D., Lic. No. U1614, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Iwan Sugiharto Nyotowidjojo, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order requiring him to comply with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the order entered on or around August 23, 2024, by the Medical Board of California. The Board found Dr. Nyotowidjojo had a disciplinary action taken against him by the Medical Board of California. Specifically, Dr. Nyotowidjojo entered a Stipulation of the Parties re: Interim Order Imposing License Restrictions and Order. The order prohibited Dr. Nyotowidjojo from self-prescribing any controlled substances, any dangerous drugs, any drugs requiring a prescription, and prescribing Ambien/Zolpidem to anyone.
Lawal, Adegboyega Hakeem, M.D., Lic. No. L3372, Milwaukee, WI On December 13, 2024, the Board and Adegboyega Hakeem Lawal, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding Dr. Lawal. The Board found Dr. Lawal engaged in unprofessional conduct and was the subject of disciplinary action by the State of Wisconsin. Dr. Lawal was reprimanded by the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board on August 3, 2023, for failure to conform to minimal standards of acceptable medical practice related to prescribing and/or dispensing violation.
Trione, Jim Michael, M.D., Lic. No. P9978, Weslaco
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Jim Michael Trione, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for patients in Texas, nor use his Texas license to practice medicine, including telemedicine, in any jurisdiction until such time as he requests permission in writing to resume such practice, and provides evidence and information adequately indicating that he is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine. The Board found Dr. Trione, on September 13, 2023, had his license to practice medicine indefinitely suspended, and was fined $3,000, by the State Medical Board of Ohio for failure to cooperate with the OH Board’s investigation regarding a Continuing Medical Education audit.
Cease & Desists
Perez, Niuver Borroto, SA, Lic. No. SA00791, Houston
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Mr. Perez entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting him from acting as, or holding himself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Mr. Perez, a licensed surgical assistant in Texas since March 2020, has been representing himself as a surgical assistant since 2017 and has performed several cosmetic procedures without adequate supervision, resulting in significant patient injury; misrepresented himself as a physician; and falsified or submitted incomplete medical records.
Ellis-Griffin, Deanna, No License, Houston
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Deanna Ellis-Griffin entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting her from acting as, or holding herself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Ms. Ellis-Griffin is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation as a Cosmetologist-Esthetician and is operating outside the scope of her esthetician license. Ms. Ellis-Griffin currently owns and operates Sage Advice MSO, LLC, offering to perform services including, but not limited to: Clinical Skincare Treatments including Radiofrequency Microneedle, Skin Classic Blemish Remover, Glass Skin Laser Facial, Microcurrent Maintenance, Procell Micro channeling, and Student Acne Facials; Laser Hair Reduction; Hair Restoration; Fat Loss Injections; and Cosmetic Injections including “Tox” and Dermal Fillers. Despite entering into several independent contractor agreements with licensed physicians, Ms. Ellis-Griffin has not provided the Board with any documentation or records involving physician examinations or supervision of services provided.
Parienta, Sivan, No License, Dallas
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Sivan Parienta entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting her from acting as, or holding herself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Ms. Parienta, a former registered nurse, was investigated by the Texas Board of Nursing for alleged violations of the Nursing Practice Act and/or the Nursing Board’s Rules and Regulations. That investigation resulted in Ms. Parienta voluntarily surrendering her nursing license on September 27, 2023. Texas Secretary of State records show Ms. Parienta is the sole manager of three current active business entities offering professional services including “injection by volumizing dermal fillers, injection of Botox or similar neurotoxins and other aesthetic services by a licensed medical professional.” Ms. Parienta’s conduct shows that she has engaged, and continues to engage, in the authorized practice of medicine without a license in Texas and has otherwise violated the Medical Practice Act and Board rules.
Pena, Aryian, No License, Lubbock
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Aryian Pena entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting her from acting as, or holding herself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Ms. Pena, owner of The Euphoria Skin-Lip Lounge in Lubbock, is engaging in injecting and administering lip fillers into patients’ lips for compensation without a license to practice medicine in Texas or supervision by a licensed medical professional.
Williams, Trista, No License, Lubbock
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Trista Williams entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting her from acting as, or holding herself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Ms. Williams, Registered Agent and Managing Member of Glam X Babe in Lubbock, is engaged in performing medical procedures including, but not limited to, dermal filler injections without holding a valid Texas medical license.
Haque, Mohammad Mojibul, No License, Houston
On December 13, 2024, the Board and Mohammad Mojibul Haque, PhD, entered into an Agreed Cease and Desist Order prohibiting him from acting as, or holding himself out to be, a licensed physician in the state of Texas. The Board found that Dr. Haque misrepresented himself as a Board-certified medical doctor on his website and social media accounts.
To view disciplinary orders and Board action history, visit the TMB website, click on "Look Up a License," accept the usage terms, then type in a licensee's name. Click on the name shown in the search results to view the licensee's full profile. Within that profile is a button that says, "Current Board Action.” All releases and bulletins are also available on the TMB website under About Us > Newsroom.