Claude Deschamps

The regular session meeting included General Business items such as the Executive Director's report covering the 2024 CSPMP Annual Report, the PA Sunset Audit Report, and an update on the AMB Draft Newsletter. The Legal Advisor provided an update on recent legislation, including changes affecting licensure requirements for graduates of unapproved schools of medicine and changes to the scope of practice for medical assistants. Discussions were held regarding the Physician Health Program report, including updates on a summit attendance and a future education conference. Formal legal matters involved considering and taking action on settlement offers for two cases: MD-25-0012A, Laura Harrington, M.D., which resulted in the rejection of a settlement proposal for an alternative outpatient program and subsequent continuation of the case for sixty days, and MD-20-1000B/MD-24-0118A, Mark J. Rubin, M.D., where the Board moved to approve a settlement proposal involving a Decree of Censure, Three Year Practice Restriction, and Two Year Probation. Formal licensing interviews were conducted for Judy H. Lui, M.D., resulting in the granting of her license application, and Ali A. Askari, M.D., where the Board found unprofessional conduct and issued an Advisory Letter with Non-Disciplinary CME for boundary issues and false statements. In other formal interviews, the Board issued an Advisory Letter for inadequate documentation and potential future action in the case of Nikesh D. Seth, M.D. In the case of Daniel L. Montgomery, M.D., the Board ultimately failed to dismiss the case but made a finding of unprofessional conduct and issued an Advisory Letter for failing to timely diagnose a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The Consent Agenda addressed several cases recommended for Advisory Letters, some with non-disciplinary CME orders, and accepted Consent Agreements for disciplinary action in eight cases.

The special meeting agenda includes general business items such as the Executive Director's Report, Chair's Report, Legal Advisor's Report, and Physician Health Program (PHP) Report, along with a discussion regarding debriefing on Board processes. The meeting will address legal matters, including discussion, consideration, and possible action on an Administrative Law Judge's Recommended Decision concerning Dr. Sherman Washington Jr. and Dr. Jordan D. Bevans, as well as formal interviews scheduled throughout the day for several physicians. The consent agenda covers cases recommended for dismissal, advisory letters, advisory letters with non-disciplinary Continuing Medical Education orders, review of Executive Director dismissals, proposed consent agreements, and review of license applications by endorsement. Other business includes a request for termination of a Board Order and a General Call to the Public.

The general business portion of the meeting included a legal matter concerning JOSEF SIPOS M.D. (MD-23-1157A). The discussion centered on allegations of inappropriate communications and retaliatory behavior toward a patient, KJ, and a pattern of boundary complaints from female staff at prior employers, including an undisclosed 2023 Order of Protection and an unreported 2025 domestic violence assault charge. Following a debate regarding the sufficiency of a recent psychiatric evaluation and concerns over the physician's candor, the Board voted against summarily suspending the license. Subsequently, the Board passed a motion to offer Dr. Sipos an Interim Consent Agreement for Practice Restriction, with summary suspension pending if the agreement is not signed by the following day. In licensing matters, the Board approved the application for reactivation of license for WILLIAM G. CANCE, M.D. (MD-25-1076A).

The Arizona Medical Board scheduled a summary action teleconference meeting. The agenda items included general business such as the call to order and call to the public, where members of the public may address the Board, with limitations on speaking time per issue. The legal matters section indicated that the Board might enter into an Executive Session to discuss confidential information or seek legal advice. A specific agenda item for review, discussion, and possible action was listed concerning MD-26-0023A involving PAUL A. AUPPERLE, M.D. The meeting will conclude with adjournment.

The special teleconference meeting agenda included general business items such as the Executive Director's report covering updates on Board Appointments, the FSMB Annual Meeting, and the AMB Sunset Audit Status. Other general items included a report from the Chair regarding upcoming elections and a leadership transition discussion, a Legal Advisor's report, a discussion on debriefing board processes, and board member training on conflict of interest. Legal matters scheduled for consideration involved action on a proposed Board Order arising from an administrative law judge's recommended decision, discussion and possible action on a certified final decision (MD-23-0694A), and discussion and possible action on a settlement offer (MD-25-0012A). The Consent Agenda covered several disciplinary and administrative items, including cases recommended for dismissal, cases recommended for advisory letters (some with non-disciplinary Continuing Medical Education Orders), review of Executive Director dismissals, proposed consent agreements (disciplinary), and review of various license applications, including requests for waivers of documentation and license reactivation.