Arkansas State Medical Board 2020 Annual Report
Sylvia D . Simon , MD , Chairman Robert E . Breving , Jr ., MD , Vice Chairman Veryl D . Hodges , D . O ., Secretary John H . Scribner , MD , Treasurer Mrs . Elizabeth Anderson
The 2020 members and officers of the Arkansas State Medical Board are as follows :
Rhys L . Branman , MD Edward K . Gardner , MD Rodney L . Griffin , MD Ms . Betty Guhman Brian T . Hyatt , MD
Timothy C . Paden , MD Don R . Phillips , MD William L . Rutledge , MD David L . Staggs , MD
The Board met bimonthly and addressed complaints , hearings , and other pertinent business affecting health care in Arkansas .
2020 Licensing Statistics
Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy Licensed ............ 1,133 Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy ( total )............... 11,626 Medical Doctors and Doctors of Osteopathy ( in state )............ 7,127 Occupational Therapists Licensed .............................................. 140 Occupational Therapists ( total ).................................................. 1,811 Occupational Therapy Assistants Licensed .................................... 99 Occupational Therapy Assistants ( total )................................... 1,010 Physician Assistants Licensed ......................................................... 70 Physician Assistants ( total )............................................................ 578 Respiratory Care Therapists Licensed .......................................... 129 Respiratory Care Therapists ( total ) ........................................... 2,130 Radiologist Assistants ( total )............................................................. 6 Radiology Practitioner Assistants ( total ).......................................... 3 Medical Corporations Registered .................................................... 60 Medical Corporations ( total ).......................................................... 954 Licensed Genetic Counselors Licensed ......................................... 165 Licensed Genetic Counselors ( total )............................................. 187 Surgical Technicians Registered ...................................................... 59 Surgical Technicians ( total )............................................................ 290 Withdrawn Applications ..................................................................... 9
Summary of Board Proceedings for 2020
Individual Discussions and Issues ( total )...................................... 415
Complaints ( including investigations and other issues involving licensed practitioners ).................................................. 372
Issues .................................................................................................. 43
2020 Board Actions
Suspension ........................................................................................ 15 Revocation ........................................................................................... 2 Revocation / Stayed ............................................................................. 1 Surrendered in lieu of further action ................................................ 2 Reprimand ........................................................................................... 0 Consent Orders ................................................................................... 6
Complaint Allegations ( including investigations )
5 Alcohol / Substance Abuse 28 Attestation / Renewal Affirmative Answers 14 Arkansas Medical Foundation Reports 25 Behavior / Attitude 9 Billing / Insurance Issues 15 Board Actions Taken by Other States 5 CME / CEU Issues 3 Criminal Allegation 7 Didn ’ t / Won ’ t Comply with Patient ’ s Request to Complete
Paperwork 6 Discrimination / Harassment 93 Dissatisfaction with Treatment / Procedure 3 Doctor Refuses to Prescribe / Refill Pain Meds 1 Ethics 2 HIPAA Issues 5 Hospital Reporting 7 Inmate Allegations 19 Inappropriate Prescribing 21 Lack of Attention to Medical Needs 0 Licensure Issue 18 Malpractice Regulation 23 2 Med Spa 10 Medical Records – Failure to Provide 3 Medical Records – Discrepancy 6 Misdiagnosis 34 Miscellaneous 12 Over-Prescribing / Over-Testing 4 Patient Abandonment 2 Physician Inquiries 5 Self Reporting 2 Staff Generated 2 Sexual or Romantic Relationship 2 Telemedicine 3 Terminated Patient
Amended / New Rules Adopted / Approved in 2020 :
1 . Rule 6 Governing Occupational Therapy amended June 2020 2 . Rule 24 Governing Physician Assistants amended June 2020 3 . Rule 37 – Graduate Registered Physicians amended June 2020 4 . Rule 44 – Pre-Licensure Criminal Background Check adopted June 2020 5 . Rule 45 – Reciprocity adopted October 2020
262 • The Journal of the Arkansas Medical Society www . ArkMed . org