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News Release — January 13, 2011
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
January 13, 2011
Medical Board of California arrests
Rancho Mirage physician at his medical office
SACRAMENTO — Undercover agents from the Medical Board of California arrested Michael Platt, M.D., today at his medical office in Rancho Mirage. Dr. Platt was charged with practicing medicine without a license. "The mission of the Medical Board is public protection, and this action reflects the Board's ongoing commitment to that mission," said Linda Whitney, executive director of the Medical Board.
Dr. Platt's medical license was already suspended under an Interim Suspense Order on August 6, 2010, for previous misconduct and failure to complete his original terms of probation. An administrative law judge determined that permitting Dr. Platt to continue practicing medicine would endanger the public. Dr. Platt's license was immediately suspended until a full hearing could be held in the matter.
In October 2010, the Medical Board received a complaint that Dr. Platt was still practicing medicine. An undercover agent from the Medical Board went to Dr. Platt's place of business twice, posing as a patient. The Medical Board undercover agent was diagnosed and treated by Dr. Platt. Platt then led the agent to a naturopathic doctor, Nichole Gardner, and recommended she prescribe medications to the agent.
Platt and Gardner were both arrested and booked into the Indio County Jail. Platt was charged with the unlicensed practice of medicine. Gardner was charged with aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine. The Medical Board is asking the district attorney's office to file criminal charges.
The public record documents in this case can be accessed on our Web site at www.mbc.ca.gov under the heading "Enforcement Public Documents."
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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect health care consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied health care professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act, and, to promote access to quality medical care through the Board's licensing and regulatory functions.
If you have a question or complaint about the health care you are receiving, the Board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.mbc.ca.gov or call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382 or (800) 633-2322.
For up-to-date information on Board activities, please join our "Subscribers' List" at www.mbc.ca.gov/subscribers.html.
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