At its meeting on June 10, 2017, the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) considered the following licensure compliance matters not related to the AAOS Standards of Professionalism and took the actions indicated.

Brian M. Cable, MD
Campbell, Calif.
AAOS Fellowship Suspended
In July 2016, the Medical Board of California issued an order revoking Dr. Cable's license to practice medicine, which was stayed in favor of 5 years' probation. The terms of his probation required a clinical diagnostic evaluation before returning to practice; abstaining from alcohol and controlled substances; and undergoing random testing. 

In February 2016, the Medical Board of California issued a second accusation that alleged that Dr. Cable deviated from the standard of care in his treatment of three patients, including wrong-site surgery (surgery performed on a finger on the right hand instead of the left hand); improper maintenance of patient records in an unsecured location (his home); and converting an arthroscopic bursectomy into an open bursectomy without the patient's consent. Dr. Cable settled the matter in December 2016 and admitted no wrongdoing. In its December 2016 settlement order, the Medical Board revoked Dr. Cable's license but stayed the revocation in favor of 5 years' probation, which runs concurrent with the probation issued in July 2016. Dr. Cable maintains an active license to practice medicine, but his probation remains in effect. In addition, he was ordered to complete specific courses on record keeping, attend a clinical training program, and have a practice monitor.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Cable's Fellowship in AAOS until he holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.

James E. Clark, MD
Bellevue, Wash.
Expelled
In November 2013, the State of Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission (Commission) placed Dr. Clark on probation, which permitted him to continue practicing medicine so long as he remained compliant with the terms of his Washington Physicians' Health Program (WPHP) monitoring contract (5 years). The matter stemmed from personal drug and alcohol problems dating back to 2009. In April 2016, the WPHP notified the Commission that Dr. Clark was not in compliance with his monitoring agreement due to a relapse. In June 2016, the Commission entered a Second Agreed Order confirming that Dr. Clark voluntarily agreed to not practice medicine and that he can only resume practice after completing a full assessment and endorsement by the WPHP.  

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

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