Quick Links
- A-Z Index
- Physician Survey Data
- Role of the Medical Board of California
- Members and Executive Staff
- Committees and Task Forces
- Board and Committee Meetings
- Media Room
- Job Opportunities
- Complaints/Comments About the Board
- Important Phone and Fax Numbers
- District and Probation Office Locations
- Link to Groupwise Web Access
News Release — January 20, 2005
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
January 20, 2005
Medical Board of California Obtains Suspension
of Solana Beach Physician's License
SACRAMENTO—In response to a Petition filed by Deputy Attorney General Steven Zeigen on behalf of the Medical Board of California, Administrative Law Judge Stephen E. Hjelt signed an order on January 13, 2005 which prohibits Solana Beach physician Paul Kevin Barkal, M.D. from practicing medicine. The suspension order is based upon a finding that Barkal is not currently fit to directly or indirectly practice medicine.
Although Barkal argued he had not treated patients for two years, Deputy Attorney General Zeigen argued that Barkal was dishonest, disreputable, and acted in a manner which made him not only a danger to his patients, but to the broader public who may come in contact with him as part of his medical practice. It was also alleged that Barkal had violated the conditions of his Medical Board probation. In his January 13, 2005 decision, Judge Hjelt found that Barkal's ".conduct in dealing with employees and vendors is shameful and egregious and is not consistent with ethical medical practice." He further stated that even though Barkal was not actively seeing patients, absent a suspension order, there was nothing to prevent him from doing so.
The Petition additionally charged that Barkal had engaged in insurance fraud by up-coding and forging operative reports, and that the manner in which Barkal's corporate employees had performed manipulations under anesthesia had compromised patient safety. A Board-certified anesthesiologist opined that the manner in which those procedures were performed was grossly negligent, involved insurance fraud and placed patients at risk.
********
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.
###
