Professional Compliance report

In June 2006, the AAOS Board of Directors voted to take professional compliance actions against three Fellows under the provisions of Paragraph 8.3.b of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Bylaws. This provision requires the AAOS to certify to the Board of Directors, if known, “the loss, restriction on or limitation of any right associated with the practice of medicine in any state or Canadian province of any Fellow or Member.”

The following is a summary of the reasons for these professional compliance actions:

Mark M. Benson, MD
Wauwatosa, Wisc.
In December 2004, Mark M. Benson, MD, surrendered his license to practice medicine to the State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board. This action followed a lengthy period of license review based on alcohol and substance abuse. In October and November 2004, Dr. Benson forged prescriptions for medication in violation of Wisconsin law. On December 14, 2004, the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board ordered that Dr. Benson surrender his medical license. The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Benson from the AAOS.

George F. Medich, MD

Aliquippa, Penn

In March 2002, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine suspended the license to practice medicine of George F. Medich, MD, for one year. This action followed Dr. Medich’s guilty plea to 12 counts of knowingly or intentionally possessing a controlled substance obtained through prescriptions written in the names of patients. Dr. Medich received nine years of probation for these misdemeanors. As of April 2006, Dr. Medich’s medical license remains suspended in Pennsylvania. The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Medich from the AAOS.

Robert J. Nicholson, MD

Baton Rouge, La.

On March 20, 2002, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners (LSBME) suspended the license to practice medicine of Robert J. Nicholson, MD, for a minimum of two years. Dr. Nicholson violated the probationary terms and conditions of a 2001 Consent Order that required participation in the Louisiana Physicians’ Health Program.

The LSBME determined that chronic and episodically acute drug abuse rendered Dr. Nicholson incapable of practicing medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients. As of April 2006, Dr. Nicholson’s medical license remains suspended. The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Nicholson from the AAOS.

Fellows and members who learn of state licensure actions may forward the information to Pamela Winkler, AAOS manager of member services, 6300 N. River Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 or winkler@aaos.org.