Public health board permanently revokes physician license after no-show at hearing

The Department of Public Health board voted to approve a proposed memorandum of decision permanently revoking the license of Dr. Hussein after he did not appear for his hearing, the board said.

The panel reviewing the matter — which included board members Wolf and others — told the board that welfare checks had been conducted after the respondent failed to respond to communications. "It's a sort of a sad case, very bright physician who has some behavioral health issues," Dr. Wolf said, adding that because the respondent did not participate in the hearing the panel had "absolutely no choice but to permanently revoke his license." Attorney Fezzina and a representative of the Department of Public Health indicated the department agreed with the proposed decision.

Board chair opened the motion to approve the memorandum of decision and the board then conducted a roll-call vote, recording approval by the members present.

The board and department representatives said the panel had tried multiple steps to reach the respondent, including a welfare check, to ensure nonparticipation was not caused by inability to receive communications. The board recorded no further directed actions related to this matter at the meeting.

The revocation follows the panel process for contested disciplinary matters; the board's vote implements the panel's recommended sanction.