At its June 21, 2024 meeting, the Texas Medical Board disciplined 27 licensed physicians.
The disciplinary actions included: four orders related to unprofessional conduct, six orders related to quality of care, four voluntary surrenders/revocations, three revocations, four orders related to other states’ actions, two related to improper supervision or delegation, three orders related to violation of Board rules, and one order related to Texas Physician Health Program. The Board also ratified seven cease and desist orders.
The Board issued 433 physician licenses at the June meeting, bringing the total number of physician licenses issued in Fiscal Year 2024 to 6,172.
RULES CHANGES ADOPTED
CHAPTER 165. Medical Records
New rules §165.7, Definitions, §165.8, concerning Abortion Ban Exception Performance and Documentation, and §165.9, concerning Complaints Regarding Abortions Performed.
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Black, Christopher Sean Fatte, M.D., Lic. No. J7752, Dumas
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Christopher Sean Fatte Black, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing publicly referring him to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP); and requiring him to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination. The Board found Dr. Black was unable to safely practice medicine due to impairment and using drugs or alcohol in an intemperate manner, including working while impaired and refusing alcohol testing. Additionally, Dr. Black failed to disclose an arrest on his TMB application for renewal.
Garcha, Sonny, M.D., Lic. No. S3169, Tampa, FL
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Sonny Garcha, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order that publicly refers Dr. Garcha to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP). The Board found that Dr. Garcha suffers from impairment and was terminated by his employer based on unprofessional conduct and diverting fentanyl, versed, and dilaudid from patients.
Stone, Shane, M.D., Lic. No. Q4851, Argyle
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Shane Stone, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding him and requiring him to have a chaperone when performing an examination on a female patient, either in person or utilizing telehealth/video conferencing services; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; within six months complete the professional boundaries courses offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program; and within one year complete at least 32 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in ethics, eight hours in risk management, eight hours in medical record keeping, and eight hours in prescribing of controlled substances. The Board found Dr. Stone breached professional boundaries and engaged in an inappropriate relationship with one patient, failed to monitor the patient’s prescription medications and maintain adequate, complete and accurate medical records for the patient.
Tintle, Suzanne, M.D., Lic. No. BP10073027, Austin
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Suzanne Tintle, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order suspending Dr. Tintle’s medical license until she requests in writing to have the suspension stayed or lifted and appears before the Board to provide evidence that she is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine. The Board found Dr. Tintle is unable to practice medicine due to excessive use of drugs and/or a mental/physical condition.
Quality of Care
Anwasi, Francis Chukwudi, M.D., Lic. No. M9106, Wichita Falls
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Francis Chukwudi Anwasi, 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: eight hours in management of acute drug overdose including metabolic aspects of drug overdose, four hours in risk management, and four hours in timely team response and management of delegates. The Board found Dr. Anwasi failed to appropriately evaluate a patient who presented to the emergency department and failed to treat the patient for acute methamphetamine intoxication, failed to respond to drug testing and laboratory results indicating cardiac toxicity of methamphetamine, which resulted in the patient’s death.
Lagunas, Yolanda, M.D., Lic. No. H0541, El Paso
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Yolanda Lagunas, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring her to have her practice monitored by another physician for eight consecutive monitoring cycles; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in fetal complications and eight hours in risk management. The Board found Dr. Lagunas failed to meet the standard of care in her treatment during the delivery of a patient’s fetus, resulting the death of the fetus from hypoxic respiratory failure, she continued to attempt vaginal delivery of the fetus for 12 hours before performing a necessary C-section.
Miranda, Blas, M.D., Lic. No. M4884, El Paso
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Blas Miranda, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within 60 days complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in medical recordkeeping, four hours in risk management, and four hours in ethics. The Board found Dr. Miranda prescribed controlled substances, without appropriate indications or monitoring to a patient despite patient’s history of alcohol abuse and warnings from patient’s family members regarding patient’s condition, which led to patient suffering multiple overdoses and hospitalizations.
Ockershausen, Thomas Glen, M.D., Lic. No. L4614, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Thomas Glen Ockershausen, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall limit his practice to a pre-approved group or institutional setting; shall not possess, administer, distribute, or prescribe controlled substances in Texas other Suboxone and prescriptions written to him by a licensed provider for personal use; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: four hours in medical recordkeeping, four hours in risk management, four hours in appropriate prescribing and patient evaluation via telemedicine, and four hours in ethics. The Board found Dr. Ockershausen prescribed methamphetamine without appropriate indications or monitoring, despite patient’s history of methamphetamine abuse, putting patient at risk, and failed to adequately evaluate patient before prescribing treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Oppeltz, Richard, M.D., Lic. No. P7016, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Richard Oppeltz, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year complete at least 16 hours of CME, divided as follows: four hours in medical recordkeeping, four hours in risk management, four hours in communications, and four hours in postsurgery complications. The Board found Dr. Oppeltz failed to meet the standard of care in regards to one patient during a robotic assisted herniorrhaphy, trocar placement likely resulted in a small nonexpanding retroperitoneal bleed. While the operative note indicates that the bleeding was stopped intraoperatively, vital signs post-operatively indicated the bleeding continued, ultimately resulting in in the patient experiencing shock leading to death. Dr. Oppeltz was bedside during night rounds and had access to the patient’s vital signs, both recorded in the chart and on the monitor, yet failed to take appropriate measures to detect or stop the bleeding.
Silva, Luis Y., M.D., Lic. No. M4543, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Luis Y. Silva, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order on Formal Filing requiring him to within one year complete at least 20 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in supervision and delegation, eight hours in risk management, and four hours in management of chronic UTI patients. The Board found Dr. Silva failed to meet the standard of care and keep adequate medical records for one patient, failed to properly and timely assess, document, and treat the patient’s urinary tract infection, and failed to adequately supervise the midlevel providers caring for the patient. Dr. Silva’s treatment resulting in the worsening of the patient’s condition due to multiple complications that ultimately resulted in the patient’s death. Additionally, Dr. Silva failed to timely respond to numerous calls and messages from the patient’s family.
VOLUNTARY SURRENDER/REVOCATION
Crim, Randall David, M.D., Lic. No. M4745, Temple
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Randall David Crim, 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. Crim is unable to safely practice medicine due to mental health impairment.
Johnson, David Gary, M.D., Lic. No. F5243, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and David Gary Johnson, 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. Johnson was under investigation for violating his August 2023 Board order.
Kallal, Kevin John, M.D., Lic. No. H7766, Waco
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Kevin John Kallal, 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. Kallal was under investigation for unprofessional conduct and impairment issues.
Smith, Scott William, M.D., Lic. No. T2758, Mount Pleasant, SC
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Scott William Smith, 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. Smith was under investigation for allegedly having his DEA certificate of registration suspended because his continued registration constituted “an immediate danger to public health or safety”.
REVOCATION
Lewis, Felicia Lenora, M.D., Lic. No. M8125, Ennis
On June 21, 2024, the Board entered a Default Order regarding Felicia Lenora Lewis, M.D., which revoked her medical license. On March 5, 2024, the Board filed a Complaint with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), alleging unprofessional conduct. Dr. Lewis failed to appear at the SOAH hearing and no responsive pleading was ever filed by Dr. Lewis. The Board granted a Determination of Default and Dr. Lewis’s license was revoked by Default Order. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at SOAH. Dr. Lewis has 25 days from the service of the order to file a motion for rehearing.
Newsome, Reginald James, M.D., Lic. No. M8869, Houston
On June 21, 2024, the Board entered a Default Order regarding Reginald James Newsome, M.D., which revoked his medical license. On January 11, 2024, the Board filed a Complaint with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), alleging failure to meet the standard of care. Dr. Newsome failed to appear at the SOAH hearing and no responsive pleading was ever filed by Dr. Newsome. The Board granted a Determination of Default and Dr. Newsome’s license was revoked by Default Order. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at SOAH. Dr. Newsome has 25 days from the service of the order to file a motion for rehearing.
Thomas, James Herman, Jr., M.D., Lic. No. G0199, Houston
On June 21, 2024, the Board entered a Default Order regarding James Herman Thomas, M.D., which revoked his medical license. On March 5, 2024, the Board filed a Complaint with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), alleging Impairment. Dr. Thomas failed to appear at the SOAH hearing and no responsive pleading was ever filed by Dr. Thomas. The Board granted a Determination of Default and Dr. Thomas’s license was revoked by Default Order. The order resolves a formal complaint filed at SOAH. Dr. Thomas has 25 days from the service of the order to file a motion for rehearing.
OTHER STATES’ ACTIONS
Lalaji, Anand Pankaj, M.D., Lic. No. S6431, Atlanta, GA
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Anand Pankaj Lalaji, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order requiring him to not diagnose, treat, or prescribe for patients in Texas or use his Texas license to practice medicine in any jurisdiction until he requests permission in writing to resume the practice of medicine in Texas, personally appears before the Board to orally petition for permission to resume such practice, and provides evidence and information which in the discretion of the Board adequately indicates that Dr. Lalaji is physically, mentally, and otherwise competent to safely practice medicine; and to comply with all the terms of the agreement entered on or around November 14, 2023, with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure. The Board found the Commonwealth of Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure entered into an Emergency Order of Suspension against Dr. Lalaji for failing to meet the appropriate clinical quality of care standards by inaccurately, incompletely, and otherwise improperly reading multiple diagnostic films, tests, and other procedures at the hospital that he was employed.
Lee, Frank Byoung, M.D., Lic. No. Q3723, Allen
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Frank Byoung Lee, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; and within one year complete at least four hours of CME in ethics. The Board found Dr. Lee had disciplinary action taken against him by the Alabama Medical Board for practicing medicine without proper licensure.
Mohindra, Raghav, M.D., Lic. No. N1779, Pilot Point
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Raghav Mohindra, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order requiring him to comply with all terms, conditions, and requirements of the order entered on or around January 4, 2023, with the Arizona Medical Board. The Board found Dr. Mohindra had a disciplinary action taken against him by the Arizona Medical Board for failure to maintain adequate medical records and conduct/practice which is or might be harmful/dangerous to the health of the public/patient.
Zalzala, Sajad, M.D., Lic. No. R4502, Dearborn, MI
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Sajad Zalzala, M.D., entered into a Waiver Order requiring him to comply with all terms, of the agreement entered on or around February 21, 2024, with the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts. The Board found Dr. Zalzala entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Missouri State Board of Registration for the Healing Arts for failing to be continuously present for a period of at least one month, at the practice where he is the supervising physician.
IMPROPER SUPERVISION OR DELEGATION
De Los Santos, Humberto Angel, M.D., Lic. No. N7247, Dallas
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Humberto Angel De Los Santos, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not supervise or delegate prescriptive authority to a physician assistant or advanced practice nurse or supervise a surgical assistant with the exception of those providers authorized to provide care under Dr. De Los Santos at White Rock OBGYN located at 2959 S. Buckner Blvd, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75207 and/or while directly supervised by and with Dr. De Los Santos in a hospital setting; within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; within one year complete at least 24 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in medical recordkeeping, eight hours in ethics, and eight hours in risk management; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $4,000. The Board found Dr. De Los Santos aided and abetted the unlicensed practice of medicine, failed to properly supervise his delegates, and failed to meet the standard of care in the treatment of eight patients at Regenera Body Clinic.
Lester, R. Anton, III, D.O., Lic. No. F3204, Tyler
On June 21, 2024, the Board and R. Anton Lester, III, D.O., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; within one year complete at least 24 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in supervision/delegation, eight hours in prescribing controlled substances, and eight hours in risk management; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $2,000. The Board found Dr. Lester improperly delegated his medical assistant and licensed vocational nurse to examine, evaluate, and prescribe phendimetrazine to one patient, and failed to perform an appropriate evaluation of the patient by monitoring for side effects, complications, and continued indications for phendimetrazine.
VIOLATION OF BOARD RULES
Hernandez, Arthur, M.D., Lic. No. G1674, Carthage
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Arthur Hernandez, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order under the following terms: shall not diagnose, treat or examine any patient in Texas, nor use his Texas license to practice medicine, including telemedicine; within 30 days obtain an independent medical evaluation from a board certified psychiatrist and follow all recommendations for care and treatment; and within 60 days show compliance with Board Rule 165.5, regarding the transfer and disposal of medical records. The Board found that Dr. Hernandez inappropriately prescribed pain medications to one patient without first reviewing the patient’s prior history and medications, failed to provide sufficient notice to his patients upon the closure of his practice and refused to release medical records, and suffered from impairment due to a physical or mental condition.
Legall, Michelle Evette, M.D., Lic. No. M6723, Humble
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Michelle Evette Legall, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding her and requiring her to within one year and three attempts pass the Jurisprudence Examination; within one year complete at least 32 hours of CME, divided as follows: eight hours in supervision and delegation, eight hours in risk management, eight hours in ethics, and eight hours in medical record keeping; and within 60 days pay an administrative penalty of $5,000. The Board found Dr. Legall failed to meet the standard of care when she failed to supervise her delegates, aided and abetted the unlicensed practice of medicine by allowing a registered nurse to independently prescribe medications, develop treatment plans, and conduct procedures without supervision and treat patients who were not evaluated by a physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner.
Quinby, Jonathan Scott, M.D., Lic. No. M1300, Heath
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Jonathan Scott Quinby, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order requiring him to within one year complete the anger management and prescribing courses offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program; and within one year and at all times while under the terms of this Order complete the professional boundaries course offered by the University of California San Diego Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program. The Board found Dr. Quinby overprescribed high doses of Ambien, and other medically unnecessary medications to his spouse, has a history of domestic violence against his current spouse and his former spouse, was arrested for assault causes bodily injury to a family member in 2020 and arrested again in 2023 for assault causes bodily injury and interfering with an emergency request for assistance.
TXPHP VIOLATION
Husby, Richard Todd, M.D., Lic. No. J4862, Seabrook
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Richard Todd Husby, M.D., entered into an Agreed Order publicly reprimanding Dr. Husby and lifting the temporary suspension and publicly referring him to the Texas Physician Health Program (TXPHP). The Board found Dr. Husby, who was temporarily suspended due to impairment issues, tested positive for alcohol on multiple occasions while under a monitoring and assistance agreement with the Texas Physicians Health Program (TXPHP). Dr. Husby declined to sign a Cease Practice Order and was referred to the Board.
CEASE & DESISTS
Dairi, Firas, M.D., No License, Algonquin, IL
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Firas Dairi, M.D. 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 Dr. Dairi prescribed medication to a Texas resident despite not being licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas.
Jowkar, Faranak, No License, Houston
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Faranak Jowkar 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. Jowkar is the sole proprietor of “Aesthetic by Fara,” which failed to ensure a good faith evaluation was performed by the medical director or any qualifying physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner prior to performing or offering to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures including neurotoxin injectables.
Ozoa, Nelson, No License, Austin
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Nelson Ozoa 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. Ozoa, the operator of South Austin Assisted Living Inc., advertised himself as an “MD”, “Dr”, and was referred to as a “physician” in various print and online materials despite not being licensed to practice medicine in the state of Texas.
Quinn, Vickmay, No License, Austin
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Vickmay Quinn 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. Quinn, failed to ensure a good faith evaluation was performed by the medical director or any qualifying physician, physician assistant or nurse practitioner prior to performing or offering to perform non-surgical cosmetic procedures including, but not limited to, neurotoxin injectables. The Board also found Ms. Quinn was using fillers on patients with substances not approved by the Food and Drug Administration and performed cosmetic procedures without creating or maintaining adequate patient records.
Sheer, Justin, No License, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Justin Sheer 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. Sheer, a licensed physical therapist, is employed as a cosmetic injector at Sheer Elegance Salon & MedSpa and performed cosmetic injections without the adequate supervision of the Medical Director. The Board further found that informed consents were not properly obtained and medical records showing proper assessments and good faith diagnostic evaluations for patients were either inadequate or non-existent.
Solis, Julissa, No License, San Antonio
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Julissa Solis 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. Solis, owner and operator of “Body by Julissa LLC”, performed non-surgical cosmetic procedures without the supervision of a physician Medical Director or midlevel practitioner.
Urbaneja, Neliana, No License, Austin
On June 21, 2024, the Board and Neliana Urbaneja 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. Urbaneja, owner and operator of “Esthetic Room LLC”, which provided various cosmetic procedures without a physician or midlevel on site and may also be unlawfully obtaining medical supplies to perform services.
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.