Oliver v. Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure

898 S.W.2d 531, 1995 Ky. App. LEXIS 103, 1995 WL 302432
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kentucky
DecidedMay 19, 1995
DocketNo. 93-CA-2105-MR
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 898 S.W.2d 531 (Oliver v. Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kentucky primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Oliver v. Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, 898 S.W.2d 531, 1995 Ky. App. LEXIS 103, 1995 WL 302432 (Ky. Ct. App. 1995).

Opinion

OPINION

DYCHE, Judge.

Felix Oliver, M.D., appeals from an opinion and order of the Jefferson Circuit Court entered March 5, 1993, affirming in part, reversing in part and remanding an “Order of Probation; Restriction” dated November 19, 1992, and entered December 1, 1992, by the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure [hereinafter “the Board”] which restricts Dr. Oliver’s license to practice medicine as a condition of probation. Specifically, Dr. Oliver, a radiologist, appeals that portion of the “Order of Probation; Restriction” still in effect which states he is not to prescribe, dispense or otherwise professionally utilize any controlled substances; nor can he prescribe any medication for himself or any family member. Dr. Oliver is so restricted for a period up to and including June 1, 1997.

The relevant facts are as follows. The July 30, 1991, complaint against Dr. Oliver which initiated this action states in pertinent part:

2. That Respondent, a radiologist, has prescribed/dispensed/administered, or otherwise obtained controlled substances for his personal use and/or for the use of his immediate family when he knew, or had reason to know, that an abuse of controlled substances was occurring, or may result from such a practice.
3. Accordingly, sufficient grounds exist for discipline to be taken against the license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Kentucky held by Respondent, in that the conduct delineated above in Paragraph No. Two (2) constitutes dishonorable, unethical and unprofessional conduct in violation of KRS 311.595(8). Specifically, Respondent’s conduct constitutes a series of acts committed during the course of his medical practice which, under the attendant circumstances, is deemed to be gross incompetence, gross ignorance, gross negligence or malpractice in violation of KRS 311.597(3). Additionally, Respondent’s conduct is calculated or has the effect of bringing the medical profession into disrepute as his conduct failed to conform to the principles of medical ethics and was a departure from and a failure to conform to the standards of acceptable and prevailing medical practice within the Commonwealth of Kentucky in violation of KRS 311.597(4).

An order of temporary suspension was issued by the Board pursuant to KRS 311.592 on July 30, 1991. On March 10, 1992, the Honorable Martin Glazer, Hearing Officer, issued a finding which supported the contention that Dr. Oliver prescribed controlled substances for his personal use, when he knew that an abuse of controlled substances was occurring. The Hearing Officer concluded there were sufficient grounds for the Board to take disciplinary action against Dr. Oliver since his conduct constituted dishonorable, unethical and unprofessional conduct in violation of KRS 311.595(8), and that his conduct further violated KRS 311.597(3) and KRS 311.597(4).

On June 1, 1992, appellee suspended Dr. Oliver’s license to practice medicine for an indefinite period of time based on the Hearing Officer’s findings of fact and conclusions of law. That order of the Board was subsequently held by the Jefferson Circuit Court not to be in compliance with KRS 311.595 since the suspension was for an indefinite period of time, and KRS 311.595 only authorizes a license suspension up to five (5) years.

The June 1,1992, order was superseded by the Board’s order entered December 1,1992, which returned Dr. Oliver’s license to practice, but restricted same as aforementioned for a probationary period up to and including June 1, 1997. On appeal, the Jefferson Circuit Court upheld that portion of the Board’s December 1, 1992, order; that ruling is now the subject of this appeal.

Appellant now raises three contentions of error. First, he contends that the Board abused its discretion, in that the action taken was based on a record devoid of any evidence that either Dr. Oliver, or any member of his family, had abused any medication. Second[533]*533ly, appellant argues the action of the Board is beyond its legislatively delegated authority. Finally, he complains that the Board violated statutory and administrative procedure for disciplinary action.

Judicial review of an administrative agency’s action is concerned with the question of arbitrariness. American Beauty Homes Corporation v. Louisville and Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Commission, Ky.App., 379 S.W.2d 450, 456 (1964). The Constitution prohibits the exercise of arbitrary power by an administrative agency. In determining whether an agency’s action was arbitrary, the reviewing court should look at three primary factors. The court should first determine whether the agency acted within the constraints of its statutory powers or whether it exceeded them. American Beauty Homes Corporation, supra. Second, the court should examine the agency’s procedures to see if a party to be affected by an administrative order was afforded his procedural due process. The individual must have been given an opportunity to be heard. Finally, the reviewing court must determine whether the agency’s action is supported by substantial evidence. American Beauty Homes Corporation, supra. If any of these three tests are failed, the reviewing court may find that the agency’s action was arbitrary.

Commonwealth of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet v. Cornell, Ky.App., 796 S.W.2d 591, 594 (1990). We will briefly address appellant’s arguments in the order suggested in Cornell, supra.

We find merit in appellant’s initial argument that the “stacking of disciplinary time” exceeds the statutory powers of appel-lee. KRS 311.595, prior to the July 15,1994, amendment, read in pertinent part:

Causes for denial, probation, suspension or revocation of licenses and permits. — Where such power has not been transferred by statute to some other board, commission or agency of this state, the board may deny an application for a license; place a licensee on probation for a period not to exceed five (5) years; suspend a license for a period not to exceed five (5) years; limit or restrict a license for an indefinite period; or revoke any license heretofore or hereafter issued by the board, upon proof that the licensee has:
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898 S.W.2d 531, 1995 Ky. App. LEXIS 103, 1995 WL 302432, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/oliver-v-kentucky-board-of-medical-licensure-kyctapp-1995.