News Release — May 1, 2007

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May 1, 2007

Suspension of Riverside Physician Upheld

SACRAMENTO—On April 26, 2007, Administrative Law Judge James Ahler upheld a full interim suspension order previously imposed on Riverside physician Douglas M. Agee, M.D. on March 30, 2007 by Administrative Law Judge Roy W. Hewitt. The order was based on a finding that, among other things, permitting Agee to continue to engage in the practice of medicine would endanger the public's health, safety and welfare. 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."

Deputy Attorney General Harinder K. Kapur filed the Petition for Interim Suspension Order on behalf of the Medical Board due to Agee's failure of an employer-mandated clinical assessment program at the University of San Diego, School of Medicine. Agee was employed at the time by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Agee was subjected to various methods of evaluation including two days of testing and one day of clinical observation. Agee's overall performance resulted in his failing the Quality Improvement in Correction Medicine physician assessment.

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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.mbc.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at (916) 263-2382, or with complaints call (800) 633-2322.

For up-to-date information on board activities, please join our "Subscribers' List" at www.mbc.ca.gov/subscribers.htm.

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