At its meeting on Sept. 22, 2012, the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) considered the following compliance matters not related to the AAOS Standards of Professionalism and took the actions indicated.

Barry R. Maron, MD
Albuquerque, N.M.
Expelled
In August 2011, Dr. Maron entered into a Stipulated Order with the New Mexico Medical Board to permanently surrender his license to practice medicine in the interest of public safety and welfare. Dr. Maron had previously surrendered his medical licenses in Iowa and New York and does not presently possess an active medical license.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Maron.

Robert S. Mathews, MD
Lancaster, Pa.
AAOS Fellowship Suspended
In October 2011, Dr. Mathews entered into a Consent Order with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine (BOM), which suspended his medical license for 2 years, with the suspension stayed in favor of probation. The action was based on Dr. Mathews’ relationship with a patient while concurrently treating and prescribing controlled substances without documentation in the medical record. The BOM also cited Dr. Mathews’ failure to perform an initial medical history and physical examination and to provide appropriate counseling regarding the conditions diagnosed and medications prescribed. Dr. Mathews was fined, and his probation terms are to complete remedial education hours and comply with a 1-year supervision of his practice.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Mathews’ Fellowship in AAOS until such time he has a full and unrestricted medical license.

Steven R. Pearlstein, MD
Coral Springs, Fla.
AAOS Fellowship Suspended
In November 2011, a 21-count Administrative Complaint was filed against Dr. Pearlstein by the State of Florida Department of Health. The complaint involved Dr. Pearlstein’s treatment of five patients and alleged medical malpractice, and prescribing, dispensing, mixing, and otherwise preparing drugs, including controlled substances, other than in the course of his practice. As a result of the Administrative Complaint, the Florida State Board of Medicine issued an emergency order suspending Dr. Pearlstein’s license to practice medicine.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Pearlstein’s Fellowship in AAOS until he has a full and unrestricted medical license.

Patrick A. Plunkett, MD
South Pasadena, Calif.
AAOS Fellowship Suspended
In April 2007, the Medical Board of California issued a decision that revoked Dr. Plunkett’s medical license, with revocation stayed, and imposed a 7-year probation. The decision was a result of Dr. Plunkett’s alleged unprofessional conduct and violation of California Business and Professional Codes. The Medical Board cited incidents of Dr. Plunkett’s alcohol abuse and failure to report Medical Board investigations on his application for medical licensure in another state. Effective May 14, 2007, Dr. Plunkett entered into an Agreement with the Medical Board to surrender his California medical license and he is no longer subject to the terms and conditions of probation.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Plunkett’s Fellowship until he has a full and unrestricted medical license.

Anthony Schepsis, MD
Marblehead, Mass.
AAOS Fellowship Suspended
In February 2012, Dr. Schepsis entered into a Consent Agreement with the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine to indefinitely suspend his medical license. The Board of Registration based its decision on Dr. Schepsis’ prescribing activities. In 2009, the Board of Registration found that he wrote prescriptions for pain medication in a friend’s name, but filled them for his personal use. In April 2011, Dr. Schepsis voluntarily entered into a substance abuse treatment program and entered into a Monitoring Contract with the Physician Health Services Program. The Consent Order allows Dr. Schepsis to petition the Massachusetts Board upon 18 months of continuous sobriety and entry into a 5-year Probation Agreement.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Schepsis’ Fellowship until he has a full and unrestricted medical license.

For more information on the AAOS Professional Compliance Program, visit www.aaos.org/profcomp