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News Release — January 30, 2006
MEDICAL BOARD OF CALIFORNIA
January 30, 2006
Medical Board of California
Suspends Long Beach Physician's License
SACRAMENTO—The Medical Board of California has issued a full Suspension Order against the medical license of Mary Zulfacar, M.D. of Long Beach. The Suspension Order, which was adopted by the board's Division of Medical Quality on January 24, 2006 and became effective on January 27, 2006, was based on a violation of probation. Medical Board Executive Director Dave Thornton stated, "The mission of the Medical Board is to protect healthcare consumers. We work diligently to achieve our mission by vigorously enforcing the Medical Practice Act."
On March 13, 2003, the Medical Board filed an Accusation against Zulfacar alleging unprofessional conduct for, among other things, excessive diagnostic tests, repeated negligent acts, failing to maintain adequate and accurate medical records, misuse of fictitious names without the required fictitious name permits, aiding and abetting an unlicensed entity incorporated as a general business to engage in the unlicensed practice of medicine, and conviction of a crime which was substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a physician and surgeon.
In an October 28, 2004 Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, Zulfacar was placed on three years' probation with terms and conditions, some of which included: enrolling and completing a "Cultural Diversity in Patient Care" course provided by the PACE Program at the University of California, San Diego; enrolling and completing a course in medical record keeping; enrolling and completing a course in ethics; having a board-approved practice and billing monitor; and obeying all federal, state and local laws, all laws governing the practice of medicine in California, and remaining in full compliance with any court-ordered criminal probation, payments, and other orders. Zulfacar violated probation condition 4 which provides that, if the practice monitor resigns or is no longer available, the name and qualifications of a replacement monitor who will be assuming responsibility within 15 days, must be submitted for prior approval by the board. Failure to obtain approval of a replacement monitor within 60 days of the resignation or unavailability of the monitor will cause the license to be suspended until a replacement monitor is approved and prepared to assume immediate monitoring responsibility. Zulfacar's practice monitor resigned on November 10, 2005 and she has failed to obtain a replacement.
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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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