LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[February 22nd, 2006] DOC WATCHERS

I would like to correct inaccuracies in Angela Valdez's article on Dr. William Newton ["A Taste for His Own Medicine," WW, Feb. 15, 2006].

One, the Board of Medical Examiners has never received a

complaint against Dr. Newton.

Two, the Board does not routinely send investigators to interview complainants in their homes. No one representing the Board ever visited Ms. Thomas.

Three, the malpractice information on Dr. Newton was just submitted to the Board this month, in accordance with state law. As with all malpractice closure cases reported to the Board, staff is reviewing this information

to determine if an investigation is warranted.

Four, the Board restricted Dr. Jayant Patel's license, barring him from performing the surgeries at issue in the complaint to the Board.

Five, Ms. Thomas' attorney, Greg Kafoury, never filed a complaint with the Board on her behalf.

The Board takes very seriously its statutory mission to protect the public. The Board's actions against physicians and other health-care licensees are public information. This information can be accessed at www.oregon.gov/bme, or by calling (503) 229-5770. Written complaints may be sent to the Board of Medical Examiners at 1500 SW 1st Ave., Suite 620, Portland, OR 97201, or faxed to (503) 229-6543.

David R. Grube, M.D., Chair
Kathleen Haley, J.D., Executive Director
Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
Southwest 1st Avenue

Editor's Note: Just to be clear, our story never said the BME received a complaint against Newton. Nor did it say that lawyer Kafoury filed a complaint or that the Board didn't restrict Patel's license (though we did suggest, as have others, that the BME acted too late). Our story did, however, say that Thomas and two other individuals said they'd met with an investigator from the BME, and we did include the BME's claim that no such thing happened.