At its meeting on Dec. 7, 2013, 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.

Michael A. Franchetti, MD
Ellicott City, Md.
AAOS Fellowship suspended
In October 2012, the Maryland State Board of Physicians issued a Consent Order wherein Dr. Franchetti was reprimanded and placed on probation for a minimum of 3 years. The order stemmed from an investigation that found that Dr. Franchetti inappropriately billed patients for treatments that were not clinically indicated and/or were inadequately documented. Dr. Franchetti’s medical license remains active, but the terms of the order included payment of a civil fine and completion of programs on medical ethics, recordkeeping, billing practices, and imposed attendance of required meetings during the probation period.

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

Fred F. Hafezi, MD
Covina, Calif.
AAOS Fellowship suspended
In April 2011, Dr. Hafezi pleaded guilty to several counts of sexual misconduct and unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Dr. Hafezi moved to withdraw his guilty plea, but in April 2013, the court denied his motion and he was convicted on all counts. Dr. Hafezi was sentenced to 3 years probation and required to register as a sex offender. In August 2013, the Medical Board of California entered a Stipulation for Restricted Practice. The terms included cessation from active practice of medicine with the exception to allow for completion of reports on patients previously seen as workers’ compensation referrals.

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

Robert J. MacArthur, MD
Irvine, Calif.
AAOS Fellowship suspended
Effective August 2013, the Medical Board of California entered a Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order with Dr. MacArthur. The order revoked Dr. MacArthur’s medical license, but the revocation was stayed in favor of 3 years’ probation. This action stemmed from an investigation of three patient complaints that included a wrong-site surgery, a burn sustained during an operative procedure, and a femoral screw left in at surgery that was not documented in the operative report and without timely notification to the patient. The terms of the order also required completion of medical recordkeeping and clinical training program courses and included CME requirements and the submission of quarterly declarations during the probation term.

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

Spyros N. Panos, MD
Hopewell Junction, N.Y.
Expelled
In September 2013, Dr. Panos surrendered his New York medical license in lieu of disciplinary action. This action stemmed from the New York State Board for Professional Misconduct’s Statement of Charges, which alleged that Dr. Panos failed to provide appropriate care to patients and submitted bills for numerous medical services he did not perform, among other charges. In October 2013, federal criminal charges were brought against Dr. Panos, and he subsequently pleaded guilty to felony healthcare fraud for billing thousands of surgical procedures, when he performed fewer procedures or none at all.

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

Joel A. Saperstein, MD
Malden, Mass.
Expelled
In December 2012, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine accepted Dr. Saperstein’s voluntary resignation of his medical license in lieu of disciplinary action. Although the specific allegations were not disclosed, the resignation specified that Dr. Saperstein is deprived of all privileges of registration in Massachusetts and may not seek a medical license elsewhere.

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

Raymond Severt, MD
Santa Rosa, Calif.
AAOS Fellowship suspended
In March 2013, the Medical Board of California issued a Stipulation and Order that suspended Dr. Severt’s medical license until the outcome of his criminal trial. The order stemmed from criminal charges filed against Dr. Severt for attempting sexual misconduct with a minor.

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

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