The Pennsylvania Department of State noted that the PA Board of Medicine suspended more than 100 health care professionals’ licenses in 2020. Many of the suspensions were the result of individuals facing a felony or misdemeanor charge. If you find yourself facing charges, an early intervention could make a significant difference in your ability to reinstate or maintain your medical license.
As described by the American Bar Association, an alleged offense associated with the health care field could cause reinstatement of a medical license to become a difficult undertaking. A license suspension may, however, also result from a non-related charge such as a DUI, domestic or white collar offense.
Could I face charges based on hearsay evidence?
As noted by the Times Leader, you may not need to worry about facing charges based solely on hearsay evidence. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in 2020 that it is insufficient on its own to bring charges. If you find yourself facing a complaint in a criminal court or before the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, you may appeal or object if there is a lack of competent non-hearsay evidence.
What else may affect a reinstatement outcome?
If a complaint involves substance abuse or alcohol, you may consider participating in a Physician Health Program as part of your license defense process. A PHP provides treatment, monitoring and assessment. The feedback provided by the PHP’s monitoring could serve to persuade the State Board of Medicine to view your case in a favorable light.
Overall, the nature of the license suspension determines the most appropriate defense process. Regardless of the circumstances, however, contacting an attorney as soon as you become aware of an issue remains a critical component in protecting your license.
