Welcome to the Medical Board of California

News Release — September 16, 2004

Medical Board logo

MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

September 16, 2004

Medical Board of California Accusation Leads to
Surrender of Former San Diego Physician's Medical License

SACRAMENTO—Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, former San Diego physician William R. Cook, M.D., has surrendered his license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of his license was ordered on September 13, 2004 and becomes effective on September 20, 2004.

The Medical Board accused Cook of unprofessional conduct for violating Business and Professions Code sections 2234(b), (c), (d), (e), 2264, and 2266 in that he committed acts constituting gross negligence, incompetence, repeated negligent acts, acts of dishonesty, aided the unlicensed practice of medicine, and failed to maintain adequate and accurate records in his care and treatment of four patients.

Cook performed the "Weekend Alternative to the Facelift" procedure on patients, which included liposculpture of the face, neck, and jowls, laser dermal resurfacing, and chin implants. Cook performed laser resurfacing of the dermal surfaces of the skin and the platysma muscle. In addition, Cook erroneously diagnosed patients with lipodystrophy; placed a chin implant in one patient which became mobile and asymmetrical; and removed 80 cc of supranatant fat from the neck of an 18-year-old patient who weighed 90 pounds when there was no medical indication for any form of platysmaplasty.

The disciplinary order provides that the stipulation become part of Cook's license history, and effective September 20, 2004, he loses all rights and privileges as a physician and surgeon in California. Cook agreed that, should he apply for relicensure in California, the charges and allegations in the Accusation will be considered true, correct, and admitted to by him.

********

The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

###