Medical Board committee recommends special faculty permit for Loma Linda ophthalmologist applicant

The Medical Board of California Special Faculty Permit Review Committee recommended approval of a special faculty permit for Dr. Mohammad Takarvan, an ophthalmologist recruited by Loma Linda University School of Medicine, during a virtual meeting conducted via Webex. The recommendation will be forwarded to the full board at its August 2025 quarterly meeting for final action.

The committee chair, Jim Helzer, opened the meeting and confirmed a quorum before members reviewed a single application for a special faculty permit. Dr. Chung presented the applicant’s credentials, saying Takarvan received his medical education and ophthalmology training in Iran, completed a fellowship at Johns Hopkins, later completed an additional fellowship in Texas, and served on the faculty at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. Dr. Chung said Loma Linda is recruiting Takarvan for his expertise in glaucoma and that, if approved, he would teach primarily on the Loma Linda campus and participate in rotations at community clinics, including SacHealth (an FQHC in San Bernardino) and the UHS main campus in Riverside County.

A committee member raised a question about a Texas medical board report attached to the application materials that, the member said, showed the applicant did not have hospital privileges in Texas. The committee member said, “the report said that he does not have any hospital privileges there.” Dr. Chung responded that she did not have the technical expertise to explain the distinction in the Texas system and pointed members to the attachment provided with the packet.

After questions and a public comment period with no speakers, the committee met in closed session to review the applicant’s qualifications. The chair reported on return to open session: “The committee has reviewed Dr. Pacravan’s application and qualifications, and recommends approval for a special faculty permit appointment. And this recommendation will be provided to the full board at the August 2025 quarterly meeting.” The transcript contains variant spellings of the applicant’s name; this article uses the name as it first appears in the meeting materials and presentation. The transcript also records that Dr. John did not participate in deliberations or the vote on the application.

Separately during the same meeting the committee approved the minutes of its March 5, 2025, special faculty permit review committee meeting by roll call vote. Several members verbally recorded “approved” during the roll call; the chair noted the motion carried and the minutes were approved.

No final permit was issued at the committee level; the committee’s action was a recommendation to the full Medical Board of California. The board will consider the committee’s recommendation at its August 2025 quarterly meeting, where final approval or denial will be recorded.