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State Board approves consent orders, grants continuances in multiple disciplinary matters
Summary
At its Jan. 15 meeting the State Board of Medical Licensure approved three consent orders, accepted an executive‑committee report that included several personnel decisions, and granted continuances in three disciplinary cases, including a long continuance linked to pending criminal charges.
The State Board of Medical Licensure on Jan. 15 approved several consent orders, accepted the executive committee’s report of recent personnel decisions and granted continuances in multiple disciplinary hearings.
The board accepted the executive committee report, which recorded three appearances earlier that day: a request for reinstatement by Dr. James Hughes that the committee denied; a request for an exception to the extended‑mileage collaboration rule for nurse‑practitioner collaboration connected to Dr. Clifton Scott and Joshua Griffin on behalf of nurse practitioner Dana Davis that was denied; and approval of a reentry plan for physician assistant Melissa Sinapoli, who will reenter practice under the board‑approved reentry program.
The board granted unopposed motions for continuance in the enforcement cases for Dr. Richard Eugene Cook (charges related to operation of an IV hydration practice) and Dr. Ellis Olson (alleged improper prescribing via telemedicine). The board also granted a joint, unopposed continuance in the case of Dr. Mehul Dixit until Jan. 2026; board counsel said Dr. Dixit has been suspended since May 2023 and is the subject of an ongoing criminal proceeding.
The board approved a consent order for Dr. Harvish Goel in a matter that involved use of presigned prescriptions. Goel admitted the conduct during the hearing process. Under the order the board will impose a six‑month suspension that is immediately stayed, require additional continuing medical education in controlled‑substance prescribing, ethics and record keeping, subject Goel’s records to periodic unannounced inspection, and require reimbursement of administrative costs. When asked whether he admitted the violation, Dr. Goel answered, “I do,” during his testimony.
The board also approved a consent order for psychiatrist Dr. Jeffrey McGillibra relating to use of presigned prescriptions at a geriatric psychiatric unit. The board record shows McGillibra used presigned prescriptions for patients discharged to long‑term care when he could not be physically present; he told the board the practice began before his tenure at the facility and that he stopped using presigned prescriptions in February 2024. The order imposes a six‑month stayed suspension, added CME requirements in prescribing and record keeping, and periodic inspections.
Finally, the board approved a reciprocal (mirror) action based on a Florida disciplinary matter involving Dr. Sarwat Gadd. Florida’s administrative record shows a patient discharged with a 30‑day supply of amitriptyline died the next day from acute amitriptyline intoxication; the Florida Board of Medicine’s agreed order included a letter of concern, an $8,000 fine, assessed costs (approximately $12,600–$14,600) and required CMEs and risk‑management education. Dr. Gadd neither admitted nor denied the Florida allegations; the Mississippi consent order requires him to comply with Florida’s terms, complete the requisite CMEs and provide releases so Mississippi investigators can confirm compliance.
Board attorney Paul Barnes presented the enforcement matters and the consent orders were approved following routine motions; several board members asked clarifying questions of the respondents and counsel during the hearings. No board member proposed additional disciplinary sanctions beyond the terms agreed in the signed consent orders.
