News Release — November 24, 2004

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November 24, 2004

Medical Board of California Accusation Leads to
Surrender of Los Angeles Physician's Medical License

SACRAMENTO—Facing an Accusation for unprofessional conduct, issued by the Medical Board of California, Lancaster physician Nagaraja Bhaskara, M.D. has surrendered his license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of his license was ordered on November 23, 2004 and becomes effective on November 30, 2004.

The Medical Board accused Bhaskara of violating Business and Professions Code section 2234(b) and (d) in that he committed acts constituting gross negligence and incompetence in his care and treatment of a patient.

The Accusation alleged that Bhaskara's evaluation and treatment of a patient lacked the knowledge, skill and ability to conduct and document an appropriate history, physical examination, and to order tests that are necessary to properly diagnose and treat lupus, and neurological, spinal and degenerative joint disease complaints.

The disciplinary order provides that the stipulation becomes part of Bhaskara's license history, and effective November 30, 2004, he loses all rights and privileges as a physician and surgeon in California. Bhaskara agreed that, should he apply for relicensure in California, the charges and allegations in the Accusation will be considered true, correct, and admitted to by him.

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The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.caldocinfo.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

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