Medical Board committee recommends approval of two special faculty‑permit applicants
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Summary
The Medical Board of California Special Faculty Department Review Committee recommended approval of two special faculty permit applicants—one linked to Cedars‑Sinai and one to Stanford—after presentations and closed‑session deliberations; the recommendations will be forwarded to the board’s February 2026 meeting.
The Medical Board of California’s Special Faculty Department Review Committee on Webex recommended approval of two special faculty‑permit applicants after presentations and closed‑session deliberation.
Dr. Irvin Callala Rodriguez, chair of the committee, reported that the panel reviewed the qualifications and “recommends approval for a special faculty permit appointment” for both applicants. The recommendations will be provided to the Board at the February 2026 quarterly meeting.
A Cedars‑Sinai applicant was presented by a committee member identified in the record as Dr. Gevirtz. The presenter said the Cedars‑Sinai candidate (referred to in the record as “Dr. Kuang” and later as “David Kwang”) was recruited to Cedars‑Sinai in December 2024, has served as surgical director of a liver transplant program at the Cleveland Clinic, has performed over 1,000 liver transplants (the presenter stated roughly 700 were living‑donor transplants), and has an extensive research and publication record.
A Stanford applicant was presented by Dr. Tanaka on behalf of Stanford University School of Medicine. The presenter described that candidate as internationally recognized in advanced endoscopy, with board certifications in internal medicine and gastroenterology, extensive peer‑reviewed publications and invited lectures, leadership at a Japanese university (transcript reference: Keio University), and planned joint departmental appointments at Stanford (60% Department of Medicine, 40% Department of Surgery).
No public comments were queued during either presentation. The committee then moved into closed session for review. The record notes recusals: Dr. Gevirtz did not participate in deliberations on the Cedars‑Sinai applicant, and Dr. Tanaka did not participate in deliberations on the Stanford applicant.
Chair Dr. Irvin Callala Rodriguez returned the panel to open session and announced the recommendations. The committee’s action, as recorded, is a recommendation to the full Board; final approval is subject to the Medical Board of California’s review at its February 2026 quarterly meeting.
Authorities mentioned in the record included references to the California Business and Professions Code (transcript references: section 2168.1(b) and section 2168) as the statutory basis cited for special faculty permits.
Next steps: The committee will provide its recommendations to the Medical Board of California at the February 2026 quarterly board meeting for final disposition.