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News Release — January 10, 2005
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
January 10, 2005
Suspension of Fountain Valley Physician's License Upheld
SACRAMENTO—On January 7, 2005, Sacramento Superior Court Judge Raymond Cadei upheld a suspension order previously imposed against Fountain Valley physician Manorama Sharma on the basis that she had not demonstrated she would prevail on the merits of her case. The suspension order was first signed by Administrative Law Judge Joseph Montoya on December 3, 2004, and prohibits Sharma from practicing or attempting to practice any aspect of medicine; being present in any location or office which is maintained for the practice of medicine; possessing, ordering, purchasing, receiving, prescribing, furnishing, administering, or otherwise distributing controlled substances or dangerous drugs.
The Medical Board had filed an Accusation against Sharma in connection with her treatment of a cosmetic surgery patient. After the hearing she was found to be grossly negligent, repeatedly negligent, incompetent, and to have fraudulently modified a document, all in violation of Business and Professions Code sections 2234 (b)(c)(d) and 2262. The Board decision was effective December 14, 2001. As a result of this finding, Sharma's license was placed on four years' probation. As a term and condition of probation, Sharma was required to attend and successfully complete Phases I and II of the Physician Assessment and Clinical Education (PACE) program at the University of California at San Diego (UCSD).
After seven days of intensive testing and evaluation in Phases I and II, it was the determination of the PACE Program that Sharma was found to have consistent deficiencies in several clinical competencies. The deficiencies were summarized as: 1) inadequate knowledge in cosmetic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and general medicine; 2) poor clinical judgment in cosmetic surgery; 3) inadequate knowledge of her own clinical limitations; 4) lack of an effective and organized system of continuing medical education, a deficiency which impedes her ability to stay current with advances in medicine, and offer her patients optimal care; 5) marginal communication skills; and 6) lack of insight into her own skills and knowledge, a deficiency which calls into question her own professionalism and concern for patient well being. In addition, the PACE Program evaluation further noted that, "Any single one of these areas of incompetence are sufficient to place patients in danger for poor clinical outcomes, including death." Based on the entire seven days of testing and evaluation, it was the PACE Program's opinion that Sharma "is an immediate danger to her patients." Given this evaluation, the Medical Board sought an immediate suspension of Sharma's license to practice.
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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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