Pubdate: Thu, 15 Nov 2001
Source: Sun News (SC)
Copyright: 2001 Sun Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://web.thesunnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/987
Author: Elaine Gaston
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?186 (Oxycontin)

ACCUSED MB DOCTOR YIELDS LICENSE

Myrtle Beach physician, once accused by the state medical board of sexual 
misconduct and overprescribing drugs to patients, has relinquished his 
license to practice medicine in South Carolina.

D. Michael Woodward, a pain management physician and neurologist, agreed to 
"never reapply to practice in South Carolina" in exchange for the state 
medical board dismissing a complaint made against him in December 1996, 
according to an order released Wednesday by the S.C. Board of Medical 
Examiners.

Woodward could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His attorney, Joe 
McCulloch of Columbia, declined to comment.

Although the action does not prevent Woodward from practicing in another 
state, the fact that he surrendered his license could hamper efforts to 
obtain a medical license elsewhere, said Rick Wilson, deputy general 
counsel for the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

"He will take that history with him," Wilson said. "It will be up to any 
other board to decide to give him another license."

Wilson said the state medical board will inform the National Practitioner 
Data Bank of its action. Hospitals and health providers are required to 
query the data bank before licensing a health professional, Wilson said.

"They routinely ask whether you had or surrendered [a medical license] in 
another state," Wilson said. "A yes answer would trigger another follow-up 
question pertaining to that."

Woodward was facing a trial in connection with allegations of professional 
misconduct, according to the order. The board had revoked Woodward's 
medical license in October 1997, but it was reinstated by an administrative 
law judge because of procedural irregularities.

The board again pulled Woodward's license about a year later, only to have 
the action reversed by a circuit court and remanded to the board for 
further consideration.

In its findings for revocation, the board cited "serious acts of 
professional misconduct," including sexual conduct with two patients, 
giving dangerous drugs without medical justification, failing to monitor 
and control the patients' use of the drugs, and failing to maintain 
adequate medical records.

The board appealed the judge's decision and was awaiting a decision by the 
circuit court, which recently ordered a new trial for Woodward before a new 
panel.

"Rather than undergo a new hearing, [Woodward] will give up forevermore the 
right to practice medicine in South Carolina," the order said.

Woodward was the chief executive officer at Comprehensive Care & Pain 
Management Center at 7714 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. The clinic was 
closed earlier this year because of sanctions imposed by the Drug 
Enforcement Administration.

Cheri Crowley, a DEA supervisor in the Columbia office, said six physicians 
associated with the clinic had their DEA certificates suspended because 
they inappropriately prescribing drugs, primarily OxyContin, a potent pain 
medication. The suspensions prohibit the physicians from prescribing 
controlled substances.

A criminal investigation involving the clinic is ongoing. Crowley wouldn't 
comment about the investigation.

Info : Six Myrtle Beach physicians who lost their certification to 
prescribe controlled drugs will have the opportunity to have their 
privileges reinstated.
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