Pubdate: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 Source: Shelby Star, The (NC) Copyright: 2002sThe Shelby Star Contact: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1722 Website: http://www.shelbystar.com/ Author: Cassie Tarpley, Star Staff Writer STANDING UP FOR TALLEY When it comes to defending "a very loving, caring, warm-hearted, smart and intelligent doctor," a place to sit is the least of Dianne Strickland's worries. There will be no empty seats, a spokesman for the N.C. Medical Board said, when Dr. Joseph Talley of Grover faces the board today to answer charges that could end his 35-year medical career. In October, the board accused Talley, 64, of misprescribing addictive painkillers, violating medical ethics, unprofessional conduct and deviating from standard care of patients, including prescribing painkillers to patients without giving adequate examinations or taking proper history. If proven to the board's satisfaction, the allegations could cost the Grover physician his license to practice medicine. Mrs. Strickland wants to be there, seat or not, she said. "People don't know all the good stuff about him. They don't make doctors like Dr. Talley anymore," said Mrs. Strickland, who claims that Talley's knowledge and intervention saved her brother 25 years ago and that his caring saved her husband from suicide. Even if she can't get into the room, she said, "With all the media attention, that's why I thought it would be a good idea. I'd speak my piece. He's saved a lot of people." Time off from work and the trip expense are not her top concerns, Mrs. Strickland said. "I don't really have the money, but it is going to go for something, and why not for something I believe in?" Mrs. Strickland said she and an aunt, who also has been treated by Talley, would drive to Raleigh. "We're going on our own," she said. "I have a lot of faith in him." She also has heard about a group of patients who wanted to charter a bus. "They were outside his office, getting names, telephone numbers of people so they could charter a bus to go to Raleigh. They were talking busloads." Mrs. Strickland last talked to Talley Friday, she said, when she went to his office. "No, it was not for a medical appointment," she said. "I just wanted to see how he looked, how he was holding up. He is so stressed. This has really got me worried." The federal Drug Enforcement Administration is also investigating Talley, but no charges have been filed. The DEA did pull Talley's license to prescribe narcotics in late January. The medical board's hearing has been postponed twice and now is scheduled for an unprecedented three days, which could start at 10 a.m. The N.C. Medical Board began its bi-monthly meeting Wednesday. The board customarily uses the first day for routine business, such as approving new medical license requests, said public affairs director Dale Breaden. Breaden said that if routine items remain for today, he still expects the hearing to begin between 10 a.m. and noon. Talley and his wife, Sara, have been in Raleigh since Tuesday, preparing for the sessions. An answering machine at Talley's office in Grover says the practice will be closed until Monday at 8 a.m. His former partner, Dr. Richard V. Crowley, is among those subpoenaed to testify before the board. Others on the list include anesthesiologist Dr. Richard L. Rauck of Bowman Gray Medical Center; Tom Reedling, a special agent with the N.C. Medicaid Investigation Unit; Dr. Richie Lewis of Charlotte, an industrial physician; and Dr. Jesse E. Roberts Jr. of Efland, a doctor who reviews medical charts for investigators. The board's charges are posted online at www. docboard.org/nc . - --- MAP posted-by: Derek