It is rarely a good sign if you have a letter addressed to you by the New York State Department of Health’s Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) or Office of Professional Discpline (OPD). What’s worse is if this letter is in the form of a formal document and official warning (i.e., a censure letter of reprimand). Follow along to find out why you got sent a censure letter of reprimand and how one of the proficient New York physician defense lawyers at Walker Medical Law can help you prepare a response to this.
Why did the OPMC/OPD send me a censure letter of reprimand?
First of all, the OPMC or OPD may send you a censure letter of reprimand upon learning that a medical misconduct complaint was filed against you. For example, if your patient reported an incident of sexual misconduct during one of their scheduled appointments with you. Or, upon learning that you were arrested for a minor crime. For example, if your local law enforcement pulled you over and arrested you on account of driving while intoxicated.
Essentially, this letter may serve as a warning for what’s to come. That is, the OPMC/OPD may follow this letter with a progressive discipline process. First, by investigating you. Then, by scheduling an administrative hearing with the Board. And lastly, by imposing additional penalties onto you.
What are other penalties the OPMC/OPD can punish me with?
Well, a censure letter of reprimand is considered a lesser means of discipline, as it may not prompt your medical license to be temporarily suspended or permanently revoked. So, yes, license suspension or revocation is a more drastic measure the OPMC or OPD could have punished you with. In addition, you may expect any culmination of the following penalties if you are found guilty of medical misconduct:
- The OPMC/OPD may limit your medical license to a specified area of practice.
- The OPMC/OPD may require you to complete 500 hours of community service.
- The OPMC/OPD may charge you a $10,000 fine for each guilty verdict of medical misconduct.
- The OPMC/OPD may require you to attend a certain course, of education, training, or rehabilitation.
- The OPMC/OPD may require you to comply with periodic visits, practice chaperoning, etc. during probation.
- The OPMC/OPD may require your guilty verdict and its subsequent penalties to be a public record on your online profile.
If you believe you need a nudge in the right direction, you should feel comfortable turning to one of the talented New York physician defense lawyers. With that being said, do not hesitate to contact Walker Medical Law.
