The State Board of Chiropractic Examiners voted during a virtual meeting to summarily suspend the license of chiropractor Michael Murphy after the Department of Public Health presented allegations that he assaulted a patient while treating her on Jan. 29, 2025.

Anthony Nanny, counsel for the Department of Public Health, told the board the department’s investigation produced materials it has submitted to the board and that the department believes Dr. Murphy’s continued practice represents "a clear and immediate danger to public health and safety." Nanny identified the matter by petition number 2025-1141 and said the department requests the board enter a summary suspension pending a full hearing.

Heidi Solano, attorney for Dr. Murphy, said the respondent is currently practicing and objected to entering a summary suspension without a hearing. "Allegations can be made by anyone at any time. Absolutely nothing has been proven," Solano said, and she urged the board to consider alternatives such as supervised practice so the respondent’s office and patients would not suffer if the license were suspended.

Board counsel Kevin Hanstead advised members that the administrative standard for a summary suspension — whether continued practice presents a clear and immediate danger to public health and safety — is distinct from criminal proceedings. He told the board to base its decision on the papers and materials submitted with the department’s motion.

After brief discussion and questions about the timing of the department’s investigation (the department said the complaint was reported in May 2025 and the investigation completed thereafter), a board member moved to approve the summary suspension; the motion was seconded and the board voted in favor. The chair announced the motion carries and the summary suspension was entered. The board recorded the vote as in favor, with no recorded opposition.

The board scheduled a contested hearing on the matter for Jan. 29 at 9:00 a.m. at 410 Capitol Avenue; members discussed availability and whether a call-in option would be offered for those who could not attend in person. Counsel for the department said it would not object to a motion for stay if one were filed, and the department indicated it would consider off-the-record discussions about the respondent’s offer to have another licensed chiropractor supervise his practice.

The board and counsel clarified that the suspension applies to Dr. Murphy personally; other licensed chiropractors in his group practice could continue to provide treatment under their own licenses while the suspension applies to him. The meeting adjourned at 11:25 a.m. Eastern time.

Next step: the contested hearing is set for Jan. 29 at 9 a.m.; any motions related to stay or supervision would be addressed by the board or at the hearing as appropriate.