LV doctors cleared in malpractice complaints

Tuesday, June 13, 2006 | 7:36 a.m.

CARSON CITY - The state Board of Medical Examiners has cleared three Las Vegas doctors of medical malpractice allegations but revoked the license of a certified respiratory therapist for lying to the board.

The board also accepted a settlement with Las Vegas ophthalmologist Kurt Buzard, who admitted bringing disrepute to the medical profession with his arrest three years ago on a charge of possession of cocaine.

Buzard agreed to accept a public reprimand and to pay more than $4,430 to the board for the cost of its investigation.

Board counsel Bonnie Brand noted Monday that the case against Buzard did not involve treatment of a patient, that he has had no troubles in the last three years and that he complied with a drug treatment program.

The case against Buzard stemmed from an August 2003 incident in which he was stopped by police in Las Vegas in his Mercedes convertible for a traffic violation. Officers uncovered 2.6 grams of cocaine hidden in a candy tin in the car, and found Buzard wearing only his underwear and a dog collar, with a sheet over him.

He was originally charged with two felony counts but pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of possession of drugs and paid a $500 fine.

In the other cases, the board returned not-guilty findings against Dr. Ashley Sikand, Dr. Edward Zimmerman and Dr. Raymond McCann.

Disciplinary committees of the board had found that there was sufficient evidence to move forward with the malpractice complaint against the doctors, but the full board voted not to proceed with any disciplinary action.

Zimmerman was accused of performing eyelid surgery in 1999 on a woman that resulted in complications after the operation.

McCann was accused of malpractice in connection with a groin surgery on a man who developed an infection and other problems, and the complaint against Sikand said he improperly treated a 33-year-old man with an ear ailment.

In another case, the board accepted a settlement with respiratory therapist Allen Witkowski, revoking his license to practice in Nevada. Witkowski, whose license was revoked in Arizona in October 2002, did not disclose that fact on his medical application in Nevada.

In addition to losing his license, Witkowski agreed to reimburse the board $4,000 for the cost of its investigation.