News Release — May 31, 2007

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May 31, 2007

Medical Board of California Accusation leads
to surrender of Thousand Oaks physician's medical license

SACRAMENTO—Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, Thousand Oaks physician William Coburn, Jr. has surrendered his license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of his medical license was ordered on May 23, 2007 and became effective on May 30, 2007. 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."

The Medical Board accused Coburn of unprofessional conduct for violating multiple Business and Professions Code sections including 725, 2234(b)(c)(d), 2241, 2242, and 2266 (excessive prescribing, gross negligence, incompetence, repeated negligent acts, prescribing to an addict, prescribing without a good faith examination, and failing to maintain adequate and accurate medical records) in his care and treatment of several patients.

Coburn further subjected his license to discipline in that as a result of an undercover operation conducted by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department in June 2005, he was arrested for a violation of Health and Safety Code section 11352 (sale, transportation or offer to sell controlled substances) and Penal Code section 12072(d) (unlawful transfer of a firearm). During a transaction with a confidential informant, Coburn exchanged Norco and Xanax for tools and requested a firearm. Later that same evening Coburn provided more controlled substances in exchange for the firearm.

Coburn had been ordered by the Superior Court of the County of Los Angeles, Northeastern District, on July 18, 2005 to surrender to the clerk of the court all triplicate prescription blanks and controlled substance prescription forms, thereby barring him from prescribing medications.

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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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