Fall 2020 Newsletter and fiscal year 2021 annual report

GEORGIA COMPOSITE MEDICAL BOARD
Fall 2020 Newsletter And
Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report

Fall 2020 Newsletter and Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report
The mission of the Georgia Composite Medical Board is to protect the health of Georgians through the proper licensing of physicians and certain members of the healing
arts and through the objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.
The Georgia Composite Medical Board is the agency that licenses physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care professionals, perfusionists, acupuncturists, orthotists, prosthetists, auricular (ear) detoxification specialists, residency training permits, cosmetic laser practitioners, pain management clinics, and genetic counselors. It also manages, interstate compact licensure. The Medical Board investigates complaints and disciplines those who violate The Medical Practice Act or other laws governing the professional behavior of its licensees.
Board Elects New Leadership for FY 2021
Board elected new leadership to lead the Board. Barby Simmons, DO, has been elected Chairman of the Board and Dr. Thomas Harbin, MD, Vice-Chairman.
Barby Simmons, DO, a primary care physician with Kaiser Permanente of Georgia and The Southeast Permanente Medical Group Dr. Simmons is currently the Lead Physician of Virtual Care and manages Kaiser Permanente's telemedicine team that provides telephone and video visits to patients across metro Atlanta. She has served in a number of leadership roles, including Team Lead for Adult Medicine and as the Physician Director of Coding and Documentation. She earned a bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Mississippi State University and a medical degree from Nova Southeastern College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a member of the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association, the Medical Association of Atlanta, and the Medical Association of Georgia.
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Dr. Tom Harbin received his M.D. from Cornell University and trained in ophthalmology at the Wilmer Institute of Johns Hopkins. He has been practicing ophthalmology with a specialty in glaucoma at Eye Consultants of Atlanta for over forty years and is a Clinical Professor Emeritus at Emory University. Dr. Harbin is the author of "Waking Up Blind: Lawsuits over Eye Surgery, The Business Side of Medicine..." What Medical Schools Don't Teach You, and with co-author M. Duffy Jones, DVM "The Business Side of Veterinary Medicine. What Veterinary Schools Don't Teach You."
Dr. Simmons and Dr. Harbin, would like to extend a warm welcome to the following new members:
John Jeffery Marshall, MD, Reappointed January 2020 Shawn Hanley, Consumer Member, Appointed January 2020 Judy Gardner, Consumer Member, Appointed November 2020 She thanks Mr. Rob Law, former Consumer Member, and Marc Kaufman, O&P Committee Member, for their faithful service to the citizens of Georgia. The Board expresses its deepest sympathy to the families of former board member Charles White, DO, and O&P Advisory Member Rusty Wallace.
Swearing in Ceremony January 2020
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Members of the Georgia Composite Medical Board

Barby Simmons, DO Chairperson Atlanta
Gretchen Collins, MD Past Chairperson Lawrenceville
John S. Antalis, MD Past Chairperson Dalton
Debi Dalton, MD Powder Springs
E. Daniel DeLoach, MD Past Chairperson Savannah
Charmaine Faucher, PA-C Ex-Officio Member Kennesaw Alexander S. Gross, MD Past Chairperson Atlanta
Judy Gardner Consumer Member Atlanta

Thomas Harbin, Jr., MD Vice Chairperson Atlanta Shawn Hanley Consumer Member, Atlanta
Matthew W. Norman, MD Atlanta
David W. Retterbush Past Chairperson Valdosta
Andrew Reisman, MD Atlanta
Richard L. Weil, MD Past Chairperson Atlanta
William Bostock, DO Atlanta

Georgia Composite Medical Board Executive Director and Management Team
LaSharn Hughes, MBA Executive Director Phyllis White Executive Assistant
Jonathan McGehee Director of Investigations Latisha Bias Enforcement Supervisor
Carl Bedingfield, MD Medical Director Monty Shuman, MD Assistant Medical Director

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Strategic Plan The Board developed its strategic plan to
Increase consumer choice and personal responsibility in health care by ensuring that only qualified health care providers are licensed.
To increase access to health services throughout the state. Provider information to health care providers Board regulations. Increase availability of state services through innovative technology
solutions.
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Message from the Board's Executive Director
On behalf of the Board members and staff of the Board we are pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report and Newsletter of the Georgia Composite Medial Board. Among other significant achievements, I am pleased to report that the Board has been designated as an essential agency in the fight for COVID-19. The Board's staff has continued to work in the office during this unprecedented time. Under the direction of Governor Kemp, the Board staff has issued over 1,900 Emergency Practice Permits to physicians, physician assistants, respiratory care professions, and perfusionist to help combat the fight for this disease during this calendar year. The Board continues to issue these important licenses to help the health of the citizens of Georgia.
During the past year, under the leadership of former chair Gretchen Collins, MD and current chair Barby Simmons DO, the Board continues to be committed to the mission of the Board and serve the citizens of Georgia. The Board meets each month via Microsoft TEAMS, these meetings are usually over eight hours long on the first Thursday of each month. This includes virtual interviews which includes hours in front of a computer.
In each annual report, it is my great pleasure to recognize the hard work of the Board members, as well as the members of the Board's seven advisory committees. These dedicated volunteers work tirelessly and without compensation to protect the citizens of our great state. Their contribution of time represents no small sacrifice in itself; Board meetings each month alone can cost the typical physician Board member hundreds of dollars in lost revenue each month. Our state is fortunate to have these public servants.
I must also thank the small but dedicated staff of the Board, who faced obstacles posed by budget cuts, reduction in force, increasing workloads, and a pandemic, yet they remained committed and determined to give excellent service to their fellow citizens. Through this process I am grateful for the staff member whose wife made mask for the staff, the staffer that searched the stores around his home to bring in disinfectant wipes and spray to keep the Board offices sanitized. I am honored and humbled to serve with this group of committed individuals.
Do you want to know more about the Board? Please visit us online at www.medicalboard.georgia.gov. Once you have done so, please help us get the word out about this valuable website, with resources for professionals and consumers. If you have any concerns, please contact me personally at lhughes@dch.ga.gov.
LaSharn Hughes, MBA Executive Director
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Board Committees
1. The Investigative Committee (4 Board members) examines initial complaints, results of all investigations, and medical malpractice reports.
2. The Physician Licensing Committee (4 Board members) evaluates each applicant's fitness to practice by establishing and applying standards for licensure and practice; reviews all non-routine applications; sets policies for staff on how to handle non-routine applications.
3. The Wellness Committee (5 Board members) reviews all cases in which a practitioner's practice might be affected by a behavioral, cognitive, physical, or substance use issue; meets with the practitioner and his or her advocates and treatment providers to assess the individual situation and ability to return to practice; recommends restrictions or sanctions as warranted.
4. The Rules Committee (all Board members) develops rules to govern the performance of practitioners regulated by the Board; assists in defining, assessing, and assuring the continued competency of all licensees throughout their careers.
5. The Public Outreach Committee (5 Board Members) was developed to reach the general public as well as the licenses we serve.
Advisory Committees (each with at least 2 Board members, plus practitioners from the professional com- munity) for each profession regulated -- Perfusion, Acupuncture, Respiratory Care, Physician Assistant, Orthotists & Prosthetists, APRN Protocol Review, Cosmetic Laser Professionals, Pain Management, and Genetic Counselors. These Committees are staffed by volunteer professions from their professions.
Speakers Bureau
Would you like to have a speaker from the Georgia Medical Board at your next meeting? The Board members and staff are available for speaking engagements. Topics include "Protecting Your License," "Sexual Misconduct," "Drug Diversion and Pill Mills," and "Prescribing," as well as other issues that you may be interested in. For more information, LaSharn Hughes, lhughes@dch.ga.gov.
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Recent Legislation passed by the Georgia General Assembly that Impact the Board
Senate Bill 321 During the last legislative session, the Georgia General Assembly passed Senate Bill 321 which will authorize the delegation by a physician to an advanced practice registered nurse to order radiographic imaging tests in non-life-threatening situations; to revise provisions relating to delegation of authority to physician assistants.
The APRN Advisory Committee and Physician Assistant Advisory Committee is currently reviewing and developing Rules to address these changes.
HB 752 Interstate Compact The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact Commission is pleased to announce that on April 25, 2019, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law Senate Bill 16 which was passed by the Georgia General Assembly on April 5, 2019.
Georgia is the 31st member jurisdiction to join the Compact.
The Compact now has 29 states, the District of Columbia and the Territory of Guam as member jurisdictions. Legislation is currently pending in South Carolina and Florida.
HB 1125 A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 1 of Chapter 1 of Title 31 and Article 1 of Chapter 18 of Title 45 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to general provisions relating to health and state employees' health insurance and benefit plans, respectively, so as to provide for information and screening coverage for individuals at high risk for breast cancer; to provide for a definition; to provide for identified and compiled information to be posted on the internet and distributed to physicians; to provide for coverage under the state health benefit plan for additional screening for individuals at high risk for breast cancer; to provide for related matters; to provide for a short title; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
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Rules Adopted by the Board
The Rules Committee meets monthly to review and discuss changes to the Board's Rules. The Board welcomes all interested parties to listen or attend these meetings. The meetings occur during the regular board meeting each month. Once the rules are recommended for adoption by the Board the following steps must happen before the Rule is officially adopted:
Board review and discussion. Rule is sent to the Office of the Attorney General (AG) for review and
legal authority. The AG may approve the adoption or send comments for change. The rule is posted for comments, this is a 30-day process to give the pubic an opportunity to provide comments or suggestions. If no negative comments the Board will send to the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget for review and approval. Once back from the Governor's Office, the rule is sent to the Office of Secretary of State (SOS) for certification, this may take approximately 15-days. The rule is not official until certified by the SOS. The Board periodically sends notifications by email about Rules hearings, newsletters, and important licensure-related news. If you would like to receive these notifications, please email medbd@dch.ga.gov. You can also check the Board's website at the link below for all rule's postings: https://medicalboard.georgia.gov/board
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Newly Adopted Emergency Rules to address the pandemic:
Emergency Rule - 360-5-0.11-.10 "Emergencies" Rule to address Physician Assistants during the state of emergency. Emergency Rule - 360-3-0.10-.08 "Practice Through Electronic or Other Such Means during a State of Emergency" Emergency Rule - 360-15-0.12-.01 "Requirements for Physicians" Continuing Education allows for a reduced number of hours from 40 hours to 20 hours of CME.
Update on Recent Rules Hearings
Rule 360-3-02 (12) "Unprofessional Conduct Defined" Amendment to change the chaperone rule. Rule 360-2-.05 "Renewal Applications" Amendment to change mail renewals to emails. Adopted by the Board and sent to Governor for review in FY 2020:
Rule 360-8 "Pain Clinics" Rule 360-13 "Respiratory Care Professionals" Rule 360-34-.06 "Limitations of the Vaccine Protocol Agreement" Rule 360-35-.01 "Definitions" (Lasers) Rule 360-39 "Genetic Counselors" Rule 360-40 "Interstate Medical Licensure Compact" Rule 360-2-17 "Requirement for Telemedicine"
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Reminder - Continuing Medical Education (CME) ONE TIME REQUIREMENT:
Effective January 1, 2018, every physician not subject to Rule 360-15-.01(3) who maintains an active DEA certificate and prescribes controlled substances, except those holding a residency training permit, shall complete at least once three or more hours of AMA/AOA PRA Category 1 CME that is designed specifically to address controlled substance prescribing practices. The controlled substance prescribing CME shall include instruction on controlled substance pre- scribing guidelines, recognizing signs of the abuse or misuse of controlled substances, and controlled substance pre- scribing for chronic pain management. The certification of such completion must occur at the first renewal following January 1, 2018 or the first renewal following licensure.
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP)
If you have a current DEA and a Georgia license -- regardless if you do not write prescriptions or use your DEA -- YOU MUST REGISTER!
1. Dispensers are required to enter prescription information for Schedule II, III, IV controlled substances within 24 hours.
2. All prescribers were required to register in the PDMP by January 1, 2018. If you are currently registered, you do not need to re-register.
3. Prescribers are required to check the PDMP before prescribing opiates or cocaine derivatives in Schedule II drugs or benzodiazepines. This requirement applies to the first time a prescriber checks the PDMP and every 90 days thereafter.
4. Under the new law, prescribers and dispensers are allowed to register two delegates (staff without a DEA number) per shift or rotation to check the PDMP and enter prescription information.
Help Using and Registering with the PDMP
Register at georgia.pmpaware.net/login. If you have any questions about the PDMP or registering, please send an email to pdmpsupport@dph.ga.gov or call 404-463-1517
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EMERGENCY ALERT
The Board Staff has received several phone calls from multiple licensees stating that someone is calling pretending to be an agent of the Medical Board and trying to obtain personal information. These calls are scams. Information regarding your licensure number, issue date, expiration date, and address of record is available on the Board's website. Your NPI number is also available on the Internet. The Board would not contact you by phone to obtain your personal information or money. We may contact you to set up a time that you can contact us and give you a valid call back number or schedule an inperson meeting. The Board is in Atlanta, GA and all phone numbers from the Board will have Atlanta area codes (404, 470, 678 or 770). It has also come to our attention that the scam callers are "spoofing" the Boards number. If in doubt, please hang up and call the Board directly. Board staff is aware of these types of calls and will understand your need to verify their identity. If you receive a call like this, please do not give any personal information or money and disconnect the call. If you need any additional information, please contact Jonathan McGehee, Director of Investigations at email address jmcgehee@dch.ga.gov. Georgia Composite Medical Board 2 Peachtree Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Atlanta, Georgia 30303
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Reminders from the Board
The Medical Board cannot provide legal advice to you, so for specific issues, you should consult a qualified attorney.
Renewal Information
1. The Board no longer mails you renewal notices. Renewal notices are now sent by email only. If the Board does not have your email address, please send your email address to medbd@dch.ga.gov.
2. The Board has a new renewal site. If you have an old renewal site saved, please delete it from your browser and use our new site, gcmb.mylicense.com/egov.
3. Can I work on an expired license? No, your expiration date is the date your license expires. You can still renew your license with a late fee up to 90 days after expiration. After the 90-day period, your license will lapse and you must rein- state your license. License numbers: When using your license number, you do not need to include the leading zeros.
Investigations
4. If you are contacted by the Board for an interview, this is your opportunity to tell your side of the story regarding a complaint. Please respond to all board inquiries.
Delegation of Duties
5. Can I authorize a medical assistant to perform laser duties or remove skin? Who can perform "laser" fat reduction (cryolipolysis and cavitation) and cosmetic procedures using radiofrequency, ultrasound, microwave, and other non-light-based energy emitting devices?
Under Georgia law, these procedures may be performed by a physician, a physician assistant with an approved addition- al duty request, or an APRN as part of an approved nurse protocol agreement. These procedures are considered the practice of medicine and cannot be delegated to unlicensed individuals such as medical assistants. The Cosmetic Laser license does NOT provide actual
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authority under the law to use these devices and recommends that at the very mini- mum a physician be physically present on site when these devices are being utilized by licensees. Injuries caused by use of these devices in these circumstances may constitute practice below minimum standards.
General Information
6. Q: If I change my legal name, may I continue to practice under my "professional name" (old name)?
A: You must use your legal name on your Georgia license. If you are getting married or divorced, you should consider any implications on your "professional name" as you make your decision on a name change.
7. If I am planning to retire, what should I do with my medical records?
See Unprofessional Conduct Rule 360-3-.02 regarding:
(16) Failing to maintain patient records documenting the course of the patient's medical evaluation, treatment, and response.
(a) A physician shall be required to maintain a patient's complete medical record, which may include, but is not limited to, the following: history and physical, progress notes, X-ray reports, photographs, laboratory reports, and other reports as may be required by provision of the law. A physician shall be required to maintain a patient's complete treatment records for a period of no less than 10 years from the patient's last office visit.
(b) The requirements of this rule shall not apply to a physician who has retired from or sold his or her medical practice if:
1. such physician has notified his or her active patients of retirement from or sale of practice by mail, at the last known address of his or her patients, offering to provide the patient's records or copies thereof to another provider of the patient's choice and, if the patient so requests, to the patient.
2. has caused to be published, in the newspaper of greatest circulation in each county in which the physician practices or practiced and in a local
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newspaper that serves the immediate practice area, a notice which shall contain the date of such retirement or sale that offers to provide the patient's records or copies thereof to another provider of the patient's choice, and if the patient so requests, to the patient; and
3. has placed in a conspicuous location in or on the facade of the physician's office, a sign announcing said retirement or sale of the practice. The sign shall be placed 30 days prior to retirement or the sale of the practice and shall remain until the date of retirement or sale.
4. Both the notice and sign required by Rule 360-3-.02 shall advise the physician's patients of their opportunity to transfer or receive their records.
Q: Do I have to send my APRN protocol to the Board for review?
A: If your protocol with the APRN does not include the authority for the APRN to write and sign prescriptions or order tests and/or medical devices, you do not need to send the protocol to the Board. The Board is required by OCGA 43-34-25 to review APRN protocols that include prescriptive authority. However, the APRN would still need to enter into an agreement with a physician to comply with OCGA 43-34-23, and a copy of that agreement must remain onsite at each practice location where the APRN is practicing under that agreement.
Prescription Reminders for Physician Assistants and APRNs. Physician Assistants Please make sure your prescriptions include the name, address, and telephone number of the prescribing supervising or alternate supervising physician, the patient's name and address, the drug or device prescribed, the number of refills, and directions to the patient with regard to the taking and dosage of the drug. A prescription drug order which is transmitted either electronically or via facsimile shall conform to the requirements.
Advance Practice Registered Nurses Please make sure your prescriptions form which shall include, without limitation, the names of the advanced practice registered nurse and delegating physician who are parties to the nurse protocol agreement, the patient's name and address, the drug or device ordered, directions with regard to the taking and dosage of the drug or use of the device, and the number of refills. A prescription drug order which is transmitted either electronically or via facsimile shall conform to the requirements.
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IMPORTANT REMINDER PLEASE DISPLAY IN A PROMINIENT PLACE IN YOUR OFFICE
- Declaration of Patients' Rights -- Rule 360-27-.02 (1) Physicians are required to post a declaration of the patient's rights to file a
grievance with the Board concerning a physician, staff, office, or treatment received. (2) The declaration shall contain the following language with no alterations, deletions, or additions: (3) The declaration shall be prominently displayed in a sign that is 8 1/2 x 11 inches in type that is no smaller than 24-point Times Roman print in black on white background. It shall be displayed in the physician's waiting room in an area that is not obstructed and can be easily viewed by patients.
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Other Resources
Georgia Department of Public Health
COVID-19 Testing information: https://dph.georgia.gov/covidtesting
COVID-19 Vaccine information: https://dph.georgia.gov/locations/covidvaccination-site
Georgia Physician Health Program
The Georgia Professional Health Program (Georgia PHP, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization formed in 2012 to assist all licensees of the Georgia Composite Board of Medical Examiners who develop potentially impairing conditions, mental illnesses, substance abuse and other addictive disorders. We are not, per se, a treatment organization. For more information please visit: https://gaphp.org/
Medical Association of Georgia Resources
The following lists the pertinent resources from MAG:
Health Care workforce Survey: https://clinician.health/ from the American Medical Association offers two complimentary surveys to help health care organizations measure stress in their workforce.
MAG `Top Docs' Series: Physician and Health Care Workforce Resilience in a Pandemic/Crisis
Health Care Workforce Wellness & Resilience Keisha Callins, M.D. & Tim Cunningham, R.N., DrPH July 9, 2020 Recording | Summary
Improving Resilience During Crisis Gerald B. Hickson, M.D. September 8, 2020 Recording | Summary
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Promoting Resilience During a Pandemic Florence LeCraw, M.D. & Suja Mathew, M.D. September 14, 2020 Recording | Summary
COVID, `Interprofessionalism' & Workforce Wellness Tim Cunningham, R.N., DrPH, FAAN September 21, 2020 Recording | Summary
Physician and Health Care workforce Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/37upM8j Physician and Health Care Workforce Task Force: https://www.mag.org/resources/resilience/
Federation of State Medical Boards
The Federation of State Medical Boards represents the 71 state medical and osteopathic regulatory boards commonly referred to as state medical boards within the United States, its territories and the District of Columbia. It supports its member boards as they fulfill their mandate of protecting the public's health, safety and welfare through the proper licensing, disciplining, and regulation of physicians and, in most jurisdictions, other health care professionals. For more information about FSMB please visit their site at: https://www.fsmb.org/
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Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2021
Licensure
Strategic Goal Increase consumer choice and personal responsibility in health care.
Strategy Ensure that only qualified health care providers are licensed.
The Board is responsible for protecting the citizens of Georgia by ensuring that qualified healthcare providers have the training, and ability to practice with skill and safety. The Licensure Section of the Board is charged with submitting for licensure only qualified applications to the Board. Each profession has its own set of standards, and the staff is reviewing primary source documents, which means documents received from the original source, such as transcripts directly received from the university.
The licensure staff consists of ten dedicated individuals that process applications. Two for physician assistants, two for advanced practice registered nurses, one respiratory care and pain clinics, four for physicians, one for genetic counselors and other duties, and one individual that handles perfusion, cosmetic lasers, orthotists and prosthetists, and acupuncture.
All licensure committees meet monthly to handle the workload of applications. During FY 2021, the Board received 5,209 applications and licensed 5,089 new licenses, reviewed 3,310 nurse protocol agreements, and due to the pandemic issued 920 Emergency Practice Permits. The Board also processed and renewed 25,070 licenses.
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Initial Aplications for FY20 by profession

Accupuncture 26

Comectic Laser Practitioner 152

Genetic Counselor 198

Orthotics/Prosthetics 21

Pain Management 44

Perfusion 23

Physician Assistant

519

Physician

3,731

Respiratory Care Professional

495

0

500

1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 4000

*Applications received during one fiscal year may be processed during the next fiscal year.

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Active License Count on November 30, 2020

Physicians* Physician Assistants Respiratory Care Professionals Auricular Detoxification Technicians Acupuncturists Perfusionists Residents in Training Orthotists & Prosthetists** Pain Management Clinics Cosmetic Laser Practitioners*** Total, all license types

38,751 5,805 5,699
0
281 176 2,610 221 232 990 56,655

*Also includes Provisional, Institutional, and Volunteer in Medicine Physicians **Includes professionals who are Orthotists, Prosthetists, and those who hold a dual license for O&P ***Includes Senior and Assistant Laser Practitioners

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Finance
The Georgia Composite Medical Board operates with a budget appropriated by the General Assembly and certain ad- ministrative fees. The services that the Board provides to the people of Georgia are delivered in an efficient, costeffective manner. In FY 21 the Board's total budget was $2,957,846, appropriated by the General Assembly, with which the Board enhanced the health and safety of Georgia's patients through its licensing and regulatory activities. During the year, the Board collected $7,091,676, more than double that amount in fees, which were turned over to the state's treasury. This is a 139.76% return on investment on the budget granted by State Legislature. These funds are returned to the general treasury.
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Investigation and Enforcement
The Georgia Composite Medical Board is responsible for regulating and enforcing the Georgia Medical Practice Act and the Rules adopted by the Board. Currently, the Board's Investigation and Enforcement Unit is comprised on one (1) Director, one (1) enforcement supervisor, five (5) Agents and three (3) enforcement specialists. Complaints are received entered by enforcement specialists. The cases are then either assigned to enforcement staff or Agents to be worked or investigated. On typical cases for enforcement staff, subpoenas and letters are sent out to collect information for the Board's medical directors to review. Cases assigned to Agents generally involve a more in-depth investigative process which includes but is not limited to Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) reviews, subpoenaing medical records, gathering evidence from other sources, collecting necessary paperwork, site visits and interviewing both witnesses and the respondent. Once all the information is gathered the cases are presented to the investigative committee for review and recommendations.
During FY 2020, the Board received 1,664 new complaints. This is a 63% decrease from FY 2019. The decrease is believed to be due to the Board's online complaints being down for the first six months of the year and the Covid-19 pandemic. The total cases from FY 2018 and FY 2019 were increased due to the new PDMP registration laws that went into effect. Of the 1,664 complaints, 1364 were within the Boards jurisdiction and were assigned to either enforcement staff to work or to an Agent for investigation.
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The following graphs captures information from FY 2020.

Complaints Received by Profession in FY 2020

Respiratory Care 14

Protocols 19

Physicians

1505

Physician Assistants 73

Pain Management 15

Orthotics/Prosthetics 1

NON licensed 10

Cosmetic Laser Practioner 19

Accupuncture 8

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

Physician is the default label and is sometimes used for unlicensed complaints and no jurisdiction cases.

Compliants Received by allegation in FY 2020

Violation-BRD Order 1

Unprofessional Conduct

308

Unlicensed Practice

77

Sexual Misconduct 22

Records Release 37

Quality of Care

519

Prescibbing

74

No Jursidiction

272

Malpractice

246

Lack of Qualifications 5

Impairment 13

Hosp. Adverse Action 24

Fraud 9

Discipline Other State 46

Criminal Conviction 8

Compliance 3

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

The category "no jurisdiction" accounts for complaints not in the Board's jurisdiction because they:
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involve dentists or podiatrists that are not licensed by the Board. involve billing disputes, which the Board does not investigate. do not involve follow-up information or are made anonymously with
insufficient information.
It is common for a complaint to have multiple allegations, for reporting purposes the case is listed by the most egregious allegation.
Case Disposition and Discipline for FY 2020
During FY 2020, the Board issued forty-three (43) public board orders against licenses through various dispositions.
Dispostions of Cases in FY 2020

Cases Closed with Voluntary Surrender 11

Cases Closed with Private Board Order 29

Cases closed with Public Board Order 32

Cases closed with letter of concern

194

Cases Closed no Action

1223

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

As a note these are cases that were adjudicated during FY 2020. Some of the public orders were related to lifting sanctions or order for reinstatement.

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Board Disciplinary Action Report
The following report lists public disciplinary actions taken by the Board between July 2019 and June 2020. These cases have been investigated and are now part of the public record. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information is correct, you should read the order in its entirety. The Board may include several provisions in an order, and the description of the discipline in this report may not reflect all the actions in the order. You may view these public orders on our website at https://medicalboard.georgia.gov.

Revocations, Voluntary Surrenders, and Suspensions

Profession

License #

Name

Physician

46040

Stephen Bashuk

Physician

75773 Kimberley Cross

Physician

25387

Larry Rossier

Physician

33913

Victor Hanson

Physician Respiratory Care
Professional

38495 4560

John Glenn Jr. Kristi Lewis

Physician Assistant 6111

Roger Blair

Physician Assistant 3619 Stifanos Almedom

Physician

30880 John P. Schilling

Physician

31257

James Heaton

Physician Assistant 2613

Shawn Tywon

Physician

53994

Larry Mabine

Discipline Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Summary Suspension Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender Voluntary Surrender

Date 8/8/2019 8/19/2019 8/20/2019 9/10/2019 10/3/2019 12/4/2019 12/5/2019 1/6/2020 2/12/2020 3/6/2020 5/7/2020 6/12/2020
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Public Reprimands and Probation

Profession Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Physician Assistant

License # 40686 78210 67359 35085 44615 47358 24889 82056 68858 35947 66041 8382

Name Nancy Hendrix Justin Neisler
Kang Lu Joseph Lewis Laurel Zollars Arthur Provisor Grattan Woodson III Zachary Solomon Tashawna Stokes Robert Marler Joseph Greco Stefanie Parker

Discipline Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order Agreement to go
inactive Public Consent
Order Public Consent
Order

Date 7/11/2019 9/2/2019 9/12/2019 10/3/2019 10/3/2019 11/7/2019 11/7/2019 1/10/2020 4/2/2020 5/7/2020 5/7/2020 6/9/2020

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Upcoming Board Meetings and State Holidays

The Georgia Composite Medical Board has tentatively set the following. meeting dates for 2021.

January 7th March 4th May 6th July 1st September 2nd November 4th

February 4th April 1st June 3rd August 5th October 7th December 2nd

The Board office will be closed in observance of the following 2021 holidays.

New Year's Day
Matin Luther King, Jr's Birthday

Friday, January 1st Monday, January 8th

State Holiday Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Columbus Day Veterans Day
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Christmas
Christmas

Friday, April 2nd
Monday, May 31
Monday, July 5th
Monday, September 6th
Monday, October 11th
Thursday, November 11th Thursday, November 25th Friday, November 26th
Thursday, December 23rd Friday, December 24th

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