At its October 18, 2024, meeting, the Texas Medical Board disciplined 18 licensed physicians.
The disciplinary actions included: four voluntary surrenders/revocations, three suspensions, one order related to unprofessional conduct, two orders related to quality of care, one order related to standard of care, two orders related to improper supervision or delegation, one order related to nontherapeutic prescribing, and four orders related to other states’ actions. The Board also ratified two cease and desist orders.
The Board issued 323 physician licenses at the October meeting, bringing the total number of physician licenses issued in Fiscal Year 2025 to 820.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Voluntary Surrender/Revocation
Stogryn, Ronald Stephen, M.D., Lic. No. F6123, San Antonio On October 18, 2024, the Board and Ronald Stephen Stogryn, 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. Dr. Stogryn failed to provide the Board with his list of his continuing medical education credits covering the license renewal period of March 1, 2021, to February 28, 2023.
Barroga, Deno Baltazar, M.D., Lic. No. M1495, Dallas
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Deno Baltazar Barroga, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Surrender in which he voluntarily surrendered his Texas medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings. The Board found that in May 2024, Dr. Barroga pled guilty to felony conspiracy to commit federal health care fraud, and July 2024, Dr. Barroga’s Texas Medical License was suspended for initial conviction of a felony.
Barroga, Desi Elpidio, M.D., Lic. No. M5042, Dallas
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Desi Elpidio Barroga, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Surrender in which he voluntarily surrendered his Texas medical license in lieu of further disciplinary proceedings. The Board found that in May 2024, Dr. Barroga pled guilty to felony conspiracy to commit federal health care fraud, and in June 2024, Dr. Barroga’s Texas Medical License was suspended for initial conviction of a felony.
Ver Halen, Jon Peter, M.D., Lic. No. N1940, Houston
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Jon Peter Ver Halen, 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. Dr. Ver Halen was under investigation for violating his June 2022 Agreed Order on Formal Filing, patient care issues with three cosmetic surgery patients, and a May 2024 arrest related to those patient care issues.
Suspension
Jakubowski, Robert Gerard, M.D., Lic. No. G9479, San Antonio
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Robert Gerard Jakubowski, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Voluntary Suspension in which his Texas medical license is suspended until he requests in writing to have the suspension stayed or lifted and appears before the Board to provide evidence that he is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine; and shall not diagnose, treat or examine any patient in Texas, nor use his Texas license to practice medicine, including telemedicine. The Board found that Dr. Jakubowski engaged in unprofessional conduct with one patient during an office visit. Specifically, Dr. Jakubowski violated patient boundaries by fondling the patient’s breasts after the patient presented at his office for an eye exam visit. Dr. Jakubowski conducted the exam with no chaperone present while subject to the terms of a 2018 Agreed Order based in part on a finding of sexual boundary violations. Following the incident, a complaint was filed with the San Antonio Police Department and Dr. Jakubowski’s employment was terminated.
Ramirez, Jaime, M.D., Lic. No. G7422, Dallas
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Jaime Ramirez, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order of Suspension, suspending Dr. Ramirez’s medical license until he requests in writing to have the suspension stayed or lifted and appears before the Board to provide evidence that he is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine; and shall not diagnose, treat or examine any patient in Texas, nor use his Texas license to practice medicine, including telemedicine. Such evidence shall include successful completion of a fitness for duty evaluation and completion of any recommended follow-up actions. The Board found that in July and August of 2022 and January of 2023, Dr. Ramirez was admitted to a medical facility for several severe medical issues and remained hospitalized for several days. While hospitalized, cognitive testing revealed that he suffers from cognitive impairment that may impact his ability to safely practice medicine.
Win, Htut Kyaw, M.D., Lic. No. M0972, Houston On October 18, 2024, the Board and Htut Kyaw Win, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order suspending Dr. Win’s medical license until he requests in writing to have the suspension stayed or lifted and appears before the Board to provide evidence that he is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine. Such evidence shall include contacting the Texas A&M Health Science Center Knowledge, Skills, Training, Assessment, and Research (KSTAR) program to schedule an assessment; and publicly refers him to the Texas Physician Health Program. The Board found Dr. Win suffers from impairment involving alcohol and engaged in unprofessional conduct arising from disregard of hospital rules putting hospital staff and patients at risk and exhibiting an inability to practice medicine safely.
Unprofessional Conduct
Baghdassarian, David, M.D., Lic. No. Q7139, Plano
On October 18, 2024, the Board and David Baghdassarian, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding Dr. Baghdassarian and referring him to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP); and requiring him to within one year complete the anger management course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program. The Board found that Dr. Baghdassarian is unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients because of excessive use of drugs, narcotics, chemicals, or another substance and has a prolonged history of disruptive and abrasive behavior directed toward both staff and patients.
Quality of Care
Levy, Robert Lewis, M.D., Lic. No. G4638, Richardson On October 18, 2024, the Board and Robert Lewis Levy, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year complete at least 16 hours of continuing medical education, divided as follows: eight hours in high-risk pregnancies, four hours in physician patient communication, and four hours in risk management. The Board found Dr. Levy failed to meet the standard of care in evaluating one patient who presented with persistent tachycardia and a rapidly expanding abdominal wall hematoma during her second visit to the emergency room. During one patient observation, Dr. Levy failed to monitor and assess upper left quadrant mass and based upon clinical indications failed to perform repeat H&H testing.
Charepoo, Rambod, M.D., Lic. No. S4112, Austin
On October 18, 2024, the Board entered a Final Order restricting the Texas medical license of Rambod Charepoo, M.D. The Board found Dr. Charepoo failed to meet the standards of care and documentation for five cosmetic surgery patients. Specifically, Dr. Charepoo failed to adequately assess the patients both pre-operatively and during the procedures; failed to obtain timely informed consent; failed to appropriately monitor and develop adequate post-operative treatment plans for patients; failed to maintain adequate medical records; and placed one patient at risk by allowing the patient to transfer from his operative facility to the emergency room in a private vehicle after the patient experienced significant hypotension and hemorrhagic shock. Dr. Charepoo will be required to have a surgical proctor for 20 BBL and multisite cosmetic surgical procedures per quarter, for two years; within one year 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; complete at least eight hours of continuing medical education in risk management; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $4,000. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Standard of Care
Shah, Dhruvil Rashmikant, M.D., Lic. No. Q0821, Webster
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Dhruvil Rashmikant Shah, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year complete at least 12 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in the topic of recognizing and addressing surgical complications and four hours in the topic of risk management. The Board found Dr. Shah failed to meet the standard of care in the treatment and care of one patient by pursuing diagnostic testing for esophageal perforation after he performed a laparoscopic lysis of adhesions resulting in delayed treatment for a perforated colon. Postoperatively, the patient became septic, experienced multiorgan failure and died one month later.
Improper Supervision or Delegation
Estrada, Manuel Arturo, M.D., Lic. No. N0753, San Antonio
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Manuel Arturo Estrada, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not act as a medical director for a practice or clinic that provides medical cosmetic or aesthetic services; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; within one year complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in eight hours in the topic of ethics and eight hours in the topic of risk management; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $3,000. The Board found Dr. Estrada violated the standard of care as the Medical Director of Spa Lounge by Christine when he failed to evaluate and assess patients, supervise delegates, treat, and document the care of six patients.
Packard, Stanton Clark, M.D., Lic. No. J6641, San Antonio
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Stanton Clark Packard, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing requiring him to within 30 days of the entry of the Order to disclose to Board Staff all clinics where he is acting as medical director; and within one year complete at least 16 hours of continuing medical education, divided in topics as follows: eight hours in medical ethics and eight hours in risk management. The Board found Dr. Packard, while acting as the medical director at a clinic providing colon hydrotherapy, allowed an individual without proper licensure and credentialing perform colon hydrotherapy on patients without those patients having previously been seen by a practitioner with authority to make medical decisions, and wrote prescriptions for colon hydrotherapy procedures without having seen these patients prior to writing a prescription. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Nontherapeutic Prescribing
Robles, James, M.D., Lic. No. J5881, Weslaco
On October 18, 2024, the Board and James Robles, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing under the following terms: shall not possess, administer, distribute, or prescribe controlled substances in Texas other than prescriptions written to him by a licensed provider for personal use; shall not use his Texas license in any jurisdiction to diagnose, treat, or prescribe dangerous drugs or controlled substances or engage in the practice of pain management in Texas; shall refer any and all current pain management patients to appropriate specialists within 30 days; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within 120 days complete the medical recordkeeping course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program. The Board found Dr. Robles non-therapeutically prescribed large volumes of controlled substances including opioids, carisoprodol (Soma), and phentermine to 15 patients without clinical indication and in violation of the standard of care for the treatment of chronic pain. His prescribing is not individualized, without attempting to obtain patients’ prior medical records, and does not include necessary monitoring for diversion or dependence, including use of the Texas Prescription Monitoring Program and urine drug screens. Dr. Robles failed to maintain adequate medical records and improperly terminated the physician-patient relationship with two patients. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Other States’ Actions
Bafitis, Harold, D.O., Lic. No. F9155, Jupiter, FL
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Harold Bafitis, D.O., entered into a Waiver Order requiring him to comply with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the order entered on or around May 31, 2024, with the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine. The Board found Dr. Bafitis had a disciplinary action taken against him by the State of Florida Department of Health for failure to comply with the standard of care requirements for office surgery.
Bajaj, Akash, M.D., Lic. No. T4615, Marina Del Ray, CA
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Akash Bajaj, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order restricting his license to practice medicine in Texas and requiring him to comply with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the order entered on or around March 27, 2024, with the Medical Board of California. The Board found Dr. Bajaj had a disciplinary action taken against him by the Medical Board of California for incompetency, negligence, gross negligence, unprofessional conduct, and failure to maintain adequate medical records.
Floberg, Dane Robert, M.D., Lic. No. V0734, Huntersville, NC
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Dane Robert Floberg, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding him. The Board found Dr. Floberg was reprimanded on June 10, 2024, by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation with multiple controlled substance restrictions due to an adverse action taken by the State of North Carolina. Specifically, on September 10, 2020, Dr. Floberg and the North Carolina Medical Board entered a Consent Order for failure to conform to the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice in North Carolina regarding Dr. Floberg’s treatment for several patients, including excessively prescribing controlled substances.
Horton, John Daniel, M.D., Lic. No. R2624, Tacoma, WA
On October 18, 2024, the Board and John Daniel Horton, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order publicly reprimanding him. The Board found Dr. Horton had a disciplinary action taken against him by the Colorado Medical Board for unprofessional conduct. Specifically, Dr. Horton performed a procedure using electrocautery in the proximity of an oxygen bag mask, presenting a known safety risk.
Cease & Desists
Calvillo, Bryce, No License, Southlake
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Bryce Calvillo 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 Mr. Calvillo identifies himself as a Health & Wellness Practitioner on his website, was referred to as “Dr.” in a Voyage Dallas feature and stated that his medical specialty/concentration is “Doctorate of Chiropractic, B.S. Health and Wellness” despite not being licensed by the Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners, and uses the title doctor in a misleading manner that could lead to him being misconstrued as a medical doctor.
Williams, Tatyana, No License, Houston
On October 18, 2024, the Board and Tatyana 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 Ms. Williams is an eyelash extension technician but has been offering lip filler services using a hyaluron pen to inject an unknown substance into clients’ lips and advertises that the substance is hyaluronic acid, offers “house call appointments” on her booking website, and sells injectable products on her website that are supposed to be administered by licensed professionals.
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.