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twitterSUN INVESTIGATION:
Doctor loses license to prescribe
Officials find malpractice, including case in which narcotics had hand in death
Friday, Nov. 14, 2008 | 2 a.m.
Dr. Buckwalter, In His Own Words
A Deposition of Dr. Buckwalter.
Dr. Kevin Buckwalter is charged with, among other things, writing prescriptions for controlled substances in an illegal manner.
Deposition
Sun coverage
Sun Topics
Beyond the Sun
Preventable patient deaths, in experts’ eyes
In its investigation of Dr. Kevin Buckwalter, the Sun asked experts to review the medical records of four of his patients, with the patient’s or his family’s permission. In each case they concluded Buckwalter’s negligence had contributed to the patient’s death or overdose.
• Andrea Duncan was being prescribed more than 150 narcotic painkillers a month and as many as 300 Xanax pills at a time. At 2 mg each, the Xanax tablets were four to eight times a typical dose, experts said. She overdosed in August 2005 and died.
• Barbara Baile, 69, began seeing Buckwalter in April 2004 complaining of pain in her hips and back. Baile died in April, a victim of one of the side effects of narcotics — severe constipation, which ruptured her bowels and caused her death by sepsis. Her death should have been prevented, experts said.
• Buckwalter prescribed Michael Hammond, a Las Vegas business executive, more than 17,000 narcotic painkillers in 3 1/2 years, until June 2008 — even after Hammond had overdosed on the pills.
• Staci Voyda was an OxyContin addict who was 19 when she went to Buckwalter in February 2007 to get off drugs. Over an 11-day period this summer, Buckwalter prescribed her 310 pills of oxycodone, the primary ingredient in her drug of choice, OxyContin. Two weeks later, on Aug. 26, Voyda put a gun to her head and killed herself.
Saying they were frustrated by how long their investigation took, medical board officials on Thursday stripped Dr. Kevin Buckwalter of his license to prescribe controlled substances after a review of his records found four cases of malpractice, including one where “excessive” doses of narcotics contributed to a patient’s death.
Family members of patients who died while under Buckwalter’s care say they are relieved by the action, but that it’s too little, too late.
“I think he’s a menace to society in general and should never be able to practice medicine again,” said Don Baile, whose wife, Barbara, died from side effects of narcotic medicines prescribed by Buckwalter, according to experts who reviewed her records.
The Sun reported in September and October the stories of four patients who died or overdosed on narcotics while under Buckwalter’s care. Experts who reviewed the records in each case called Buckwalter reckless and negligent and said he should not be practicing medicine.
Louis Ling, executive director of the Nevada State Medical Examiners Board, said the probe into the Henderson physician’s prescribing habits highlights the need to change the investigation process so it’s “more responsive and more timely.” The board will discuss possible legislative changes at its December meetings, he said.
“We’d like to find a way to make this faster,” Ling said.
Ling would not say how long the Buckwalter investigation has taken, but said it went as fast as it could have given current state laws and the fact that multiple agencies were involved. Sources have told the Sun the Drug Enforcement Administration is also investigating Buckwalter, but the agency will not comment.
Dr. Jerry Calvanese, an emergency medicine physician in Reno, reviewed on behalf of the medical board the four patient files. They were not the same cases reported by Sun. He wrote in an affidavit that the “vast majority of records include essentially no physical exam” and that there are concerns Buckwalter has administered inappropriate narcotic shots in his office without taking proper precautions to protect patients. He called Buckwalter’s records “vague, haphazard and illegible,” and not up to expected standards.
In the case of the patient who died, Buckwalter prescribed “excessive” doses of the narcotic painkillers OxyContin and Kadian in 2004 and 2005, documents show.
In the three other cases, Buckwalter’s records show no evaluation of the patients’ response to medications, no explanation for why patients were given maximum allowable doses and few records related to treatment outcomes or justification of increased controlled substance prescriptions, the medical board complaint said.
During an emergency meeting Thursday the medical board summarily suspended Buckwalter’s license to prescribe drugs such as Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication; hydrocodone, the narcotic in the brand name drugs Vicodin and Lortab; and oxycodone, the primary ingredient in OxyContin.
Buckwalter is charged with one count each of malpractice, failure to maintain adequate and complete medical records and writing prescriptions for controlled substances in an illegal manner. Ling said the investigation is ongoing and that a hearing will be scheduled in the future.
If Buckwalter is found guilty, discipline could include probation, a public reprimand, fines or the suspension or revocation of his license to practice medicine, according to state law.
“At least the effect of this order is that he cannot cause any more potential harm with his controlled substance prescribing,” Ling said.
Buckwalter was served with the decision Thursday morning. Bryce Buckwalter, the doctor’s brother who also serves as his attorney, told the Sun late Thursday in an e-mail: “I must demand that you not print any further articles, including the one set to run (today). If you decide to go ahead and print the article, our response is that we still believe that his treatment and care of all his patients was reasonable and appropriate given the symptoms that were presented. We believe that the suspension was improper and we will be seeking the assistance of the court in trying to have the suspension lifted.”
The Nevada State Pharmacy Board also suspended Buckwalter’s license to prescribe controlled substances as a result of the medical board’s action. A fax was sent Thursday to all pharmacies in Nevada notifying them not to fill any prescriptions by Buckwalter for controlled substances.
Buckwalter attended medical school at Ross University in the West Indies and in 1997 was licensed to practice pediatrics and family medicine in Nevada. Three former employees described him to the Sun as a kindhearted but incompetent doctor who continued prescribing drugs to patients even when he was informed they were drug addicts or drug dealers, or had overdosed from the medications. He thought he was helping people, they said, but he also must have been making money because, they said, he saw as many as 80 patients a day.
Family members of patients who died while under Buckwalter’s care said the medical board should have summarily suspended his license to practice — and that the medical board could have saved lives by taking action after a 2005 complaint.
In 2005, newlyweds Clint and Andrea Duncan died within days of their first anniversary after overdoses on narcotics and Xanax prescribed by Buckwalter. Andrea Duncan’s father, John DeBaun, filed a complaint with the medical board. The board said it found no evidence of wrongdoing by the doctor. Buckwalter has no record of being disciplined.
In 2007 Buckwalter said in a sworn deposition — given on behalf of Andrea Duncan in an unrelated lawsuit — that he did not examine her, did not order her records from other doctors and gave her large quantities of controlled substances because she asked for them. Experts say the deposition showed a stunning disregard for quality patient care.
DeBaun sent a letter to the medical board in May, urging investigators to reopen the case against Buckwalter based on his sworn deposition. Medical board officials declined, saying they had an open investigation.
Since the 2005 complaint, two cases have been reviewed by experts on behalf of the Sun. They said Buckwalter’s actions contributed to patient deaths.
Barbara Baile, 69, was prescribed heavy doses of narcotics by Buckwalter to treat her hip and back pain. Records show that a side effect of the drug, constipation, caused her bowels to rupture, poisoning her body. She died in April from sepsis. Her husband, Don Baile, told the Sun he sat in on every appointment with Buckwalter and though his wife complained of constipation the doctor offered no remedy other than over-the-counter options. Experts who reviewed the case said Buckwalter should have removed the blockage manually or prescribed a drug to treat the constipation.
The medical board has not even scratched the surface with its actions against Buckwalter, Don Baile said. Buckwalter seems friendly, Baile said, “but when it comes down to it, what really lurks beneath is a dangerous person.”
Staci Voyda’s mother thinks her daughter would still be alive if the medical board had taken action sooner. In an 11-day period in August, Buckwalter prescribed 310 oxycodone pills to Voyda, a drug addict whose drug of choice was OxyContin. Two weeks later, Voyda put a gun to her head and killed herself. Her family says Buckwalter fueled Voyda’s addiction, contributing to her death.
Rene Kulon, Voyda’s mother, said she was relieved Buckwalter can no longer prescribe the narcotic medicines, but hurt that her daughter was his “last victim.”
The suspension of Buckwalter’s license “could have happened before Staci even got a chance to walk into his office,” Kulon said. “It makes me angry they didn’t pursue this and get this doctor off the streets long ago.”
Dr. David Kloth, a Connecticut specialist and a past president of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, is one of four doctors who reviewed Buckwalter’s patient records with the families’ permission on behalf of the Sun. He said there is “no question” the Andrea Duncan file showed that Buckwalter’s prescribing habits were “atypical and dangerous.”
“I don’t know why the medical board did not pursue it more rigorously at that juncture,” Kloth said.
Kloth said Thursday’s action by the medical board seems appropriate because all the cases he’s seen show an inability to prescribe controlled substances. Plus, he said, medical boards need to exercise caution to ensure they don’t act prematurely or without sufficient evidence.
Kloth predicted there will be more action by authorities soon.
“You have not heard the last of this from the state or the DEA,” Kloth said. “It would not be surprising if criminal charges are brought at some point.”
Discussion: 65 comments so far…
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I would just like to say that as a parent your 1st instinct is to blame someone else. It very hard losing a child to drug addiction or worse death.
We can't forget that his patients were most likely asking for the pain meds and such. I being a chronic pain sufferer and addict would do almost anything to have a day without pain! We can not blame every dr. who give pain meds in moderation and by that I mean making sure your pain is gone!There were times I took more than prescribed and when I ended up in detox , guess who my mother blamed? The truth is there are responsiple people out there that need those meds and they should not be takin of the shelf because of a few bad apples. I guess what I am saying is, it is not alway the doctors fault.
Get a new lawyer " treatment and care of all his patients were reasonable and appropriate given the symptoms that were presented" is totally bogus. I have copies of records he kept "RX refills" CRAMPS . That does not constitute 310 Oxycodene's to be filled in 11 days . If the board took action about Andrea , no others would have had the chance to walk into his office because he was in their healthcare plan . Given that. Change the laws so that it does not take 3 or 4 years to look at a case .It could be your child lawmakers. The doctor can still treat sick people with antibiotics .
Pain meds in moderation , he was way over the limit .I DO blame the doctor for not sending Staci to a rehab clinic. She was over the age of not telling mommy that she went to him for help at the age of 19 . He just kept on giving .She told him she had an addiction problem she wanted help. 18 months later she was still a patient . Just how was he helping her ? When given the drug of your choice , just who is responsible for writing the prescription ?????
This is a WITCH HUNT. No ifs, ands or buts. This is a 21st century witch hunt.
Each patient is responsible for his/her own medical care. If that person is not competent, a family member steps in.
If you have doubts about a doctor, common practice is to get a second opinion. Just because a doctor prescribes something, it's the patient that has to go to the pharmacy, pick it up, pay for it and take it. If you don't think it's good for you, DON'T TAKE IT. If your family sees a difference in your behavior, would it not be THEM that would seek additional care for someone's care?
Further, doctors ask all patients if they have been treated for addiction, depression, etc. If the patient lies, how is the doctor to know the patient is a "closet addict".
Bottom line: Dr. Buchwalter has a lot of patients -- and it's my guess that most of them are NOT on controlled substances. Could it be that the other general practioners in the area who are hurting in this economy are looking to find a way to discredit this decent man?
If these slanted stories by the Sun are considered "journalism", I am burning my journalism degree.
Roxanne B
If he's sloppy with the narcotics and record keeping he's sloppy with routine care too. Bravo to the Sun for keeping up with this story.
Roxanne:
You should burn your journalism degree, you don't even have a clue to the real world. Maybe you should try another occupation like Pre-Med ?
I'd love to know how the medical board defines "emergency meeting", this is over three years old. The Med.board can spin this anyway they want but if not for the heat put on by the Sun's reporter Marshall Allen this so-callled healer would not even be on the boards radar.
I believe the actions of Marshall will save many lives. for me I lost a niece and marshall made it possible to stop this monster. It won't bring her back but at this point a little justice is greatly appreciated.
I would like to thank Marshall on behalf of our family and the families who would have lost a loved one under Dr Mengala, and we know there would have been many more.
Medical brd's job has just begun. I believe it's time for the criminal investigation begin. There's only one place for murderers, that's behind bars.
Roxanne you better get out there quick and get a new doc! your supply is probably getting LOW!!
It is about time. How could this possibly called a witch hunt! My husband was a patient of Dr. B and that dr. gave him anything he wanted. Sure my husband was an addict, but Dr. B. was basically signing his death certificate before he stopped seeing him. My husband was not doctor shopping; he went to one doctor. Sadly, my husband died from something unrelated to Dr. B. but I wish he was around to read this article.
I do NOT believe this is a "witch hunt" at all.
Yes, people should accept some responsibilities for their actions when it comes to their health care. I have been working as a Pharmacist for 10 years (5 years in Ohio) and since I moved here, I was overwhelmed with the amount of narcotic Rxs that were coming into various Las Vegas Pharmacies. In Ohio, this kind of nonsense didn't happen. If an MD was prescribing high amounts of controlled meds/narcotics, the Ohio State Board went to visit the MD. The MD was repremanded/suspended. Period.
Dr. Buckwalter knew what he was doing. There is no way to justify the sheer amount of prescriptions presented by patients from his office on a daily basis. At our Pharmacy, we started to refuse dispensing the Rxs, but that doesn't solve the problem. The patients need or want the drugs, so they would just go elsewhere.
Is Dr. Buckwalter the ONLY MD that prescribed unusually high amounts of narcotics? No. He is just ONE of MANY in the Las Vegas area that does.
Having seen the ROUTINE/MONTHLY Rxs for the SAME DRUGS to THE SAME PATIENTS from these so called "pain management clinics" here in Las Vegas, is enough to make me sick. But, if that is what the patient wants, that is what the patient gets. Period. It is all "legal" and the MD just tells his/her patient NOT to see multiple MDs or use multiple Pharmacies, and the Pain MGMT MD will continue to prescribe the Rx for......well......ever, I guess.
We tend to forget that this is Las Vegas, one of the NATION's LARGEST consumers of prescription narcotic drugs. Don't believe me? Look it up. It's sad. I see it time & time again, most of my work day dispensing this garbage to people who CLEARLY don't need it, but are addicted to it.
We call the MD, question the MD about the use of the Rx, but in the end, the MD says to fill it.
When I try to counsel my patients about the habit forming side effects, it goes in one ear, then right out the other. Shame on them, too.
Dr. Buckwalter didn't "start the fire", but he sure did throw quite a few logs on it. The narcotic abuse in this city has been going for a long time, and has gotten worse, but Dr. Buckwalter is NOT the only MD with "dirty hands".
Roxanne, where do I begin...you must have never lost anyone to drug addition or your in denial yourself. First with HEPA laws a family member is not allowed to know your medical issues so you can't go to the doctor and find out what is going on. Second, when your an addict you lie. You will do anything to get drugs even it is destructive to your well being. That's the meaning of addict. If you have done any research on this you would have found out even his staff found that he is incompetent. This dealer should never be allowed to practice medicine again. I also agree that there are other dr's out there doing the same thing, to them I say take notice....one at a time
I do not believe that Dr. Buckwalter is a board certified pain management specialist. The fact is that the dosages he prescribed to some of these patients is WAY above typical high level dosages. Dr. Buckwalter should have sent some of these patients to board certified docs who specialize in managing pain. He didn't. Further more, the records he kept did not document to necessity for the excessive dosages he prescribed. There seems to be little doubt that Dr. Buckwalter failed in his care of at least several patients.
I have had a severe pain for over 8 years and it has been hell and going to these dr's is the hardest thing I have ever had to do and the ones
I have been to you half to fight them to get your meds and half of them never run a DEA report and yet they treat you like your a doper. Well it's a change to see a dr. who actually believes in his patients and takes care of them. Sometimes you have to look into people who come back in a few days with excuses and wanting more pills but in all actuality it sounds to me like these people were addicted before Dr. Buckwalter and if it was not him it would have been another dr.So these families that want to sue for monies and all need to evaluate themselves if you knew this was going on WHY? did you not turn your family member in nd call the DEA and report her, why is it the DR. who has to take responsibility for another persons who knew and did nothing. Maybe that family member should be sued to and held accountable for not taking action sooner!!!!!! KUDOS to you DR. BUCKWALTER and if you get to keep your license in the future lower your client intake and pay a little more attention to the frequent ones!!! GOD BLESS ALL WHO HAVE A ADDICTION!!!
motherof6:
What exactly are you trying to say? How do you know that he believes in his patients? Honestly he has not a clue about practicing medicine.If an addict walks into his office he should not treat him . Buckwalter needed to send the addicts to a rehab clinic ASAP. Do not feed the addict the drugs of their choice! As far as my family my evaluation is that the Dr. needs to be a greeter at the local Wal- Mart.
motherof6:
Your comment giving kudos to this dr. shows your
not very bright. So sue me !!!
To those of you who show such anger says you must of had a bad experience with a dr. So you hit this one well it's ok if you have that kind of anger but you should redirect it to those who are responsible and not just the dr., that's why we don't have enough physcians now cause everyone is so ready to sue the dr.'s and not the people who raised the addict or the abuser so lay the blame proportioned to all of those responsible.He must or he would not give them the medicines and the first question most dr.'s ask is are you getting this medicine from any other dr.'s and if they say no!! he gives them the meds does he really have anything to gain outside of patients by giving them those meds or is there personal gain, is he getting money and are they selling them and is he getting cash. Then you have these other entities that are suppose to be watching the dr.'s, WHY is it they did not notice the dr. coming up alot in the medical practice, and then you got their families watching them and taking them and lying for them to these dr.'s and then when someone dies all of a sudden we better blame everyone else but ourselves when we were aiding and abedding the abuser. I would not sue anyone for speaking their mind just don't wrongfully convict someone who was aiding the doper, when their are many hands in the pot!!! have a blessed day and relax it's not that bad!!!
You don't understand the whole story. No one is speaking of a lawsuit , we just want justice . I believe his record keeping his so poor and his dispensing of prescriptions are an abundance of controlled substances which resulted in over 5 deaths . That is unacceptable to me , or for any family to go through this experience .People don't raise their children to be addicts it happens. When your child goes away to college you may not see them for months , they may email you or text you. If you call them they may or may not answer it depends on their mood. So do not imply things related to this story because you don't even know half of it. The doctor is wrong and so is the medical board for there swift action .
That's exactly what I have been saying just don't lay the blame on him because he gave it to them, their are others that need to be held accountable. I do know the story I follow this kind of stuff closely so to say I do not know is speaking out of turn. I have dealt with addiction in my family and when I seen what was happening I was the first to take action so the family said that they noticed this or that then it was their responsibility, too. My daughter was addicted to meth and when I took action and started going to the dealers and telling them I would turn them in and take pictures and I kept her by my side day in an out, and she was 18 years old, so others need to take responsibility for not reporting her abuse to the dr. and as far as the older lady goes I do feel sorry for her family and all the families that have lost their loved ones, I lost my daughter last year to a rare disease and so I know the pain but the young ones who are addicted if you don't give it to them legally then they steal and commit crimes to get the money to buy it and then we end up losing more life. It is a no win situation unless everybody gets on the same page. An that's my opinion of it and I am entitled to my side. I do not believe in these dr.'s giving this kind of medicine to anyone under the age of 40, unless evidence proves differant. So relax and take a look at everything before you tell people you don't know what they know, I could say you are closed minded and just want to lay the blame where it's not to be. Have A Great Nite, we will chat soon I am sure!!!!!!! I also have a girlfriend that was a client of his and she is addicted to and I know she is always trying to get more then he prescribed, and it's up to the dr.'s, the pharmacies, the DEA,the medical board, and to the families to report such abuse when it is seen and not lie and cover it up or give them the money to buy more.This is a crazy world and people do crazy things does it mean that we should commit everyone to a mental facility.That would be extreme and the things these people do for this kind of meds are extreme, so look,watch,listen and report abuse!!!!
Comment removed by staff.
The real problem lies with the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PHARMA). If they would create drugs to cure disease instead of treat symptoms, people would not need these controlled substances.
The bottom line is we live in a time when people want a pill to cure every thing. The problem is when the bottle reads 1 pill every 4 to 6 hours , junkies , yes junkies take 3 to 4 pills at a time period.
I have been reading all of the comments posted. I agree with a lot of the points brought up about who is responsible. Yet, I have to wonder how many of these patient's families knew what was going on! I would think that if your child/spouse had an addiction, it would be their responsiblity to let everyone and anyone know about this!! An addict needs to go to a treatment facility NOT a doctor's office for help!! That would be a signal that perhaps they were drug seeking. People who have cronic issues shouldn't be seeing a family practitioner!! I agree that too many pills may have been prescribed but I'm sure that he's NOT THE ONLY doctor who has been doing this!
Addicts are ashamed to admit they are addicted they seek medical treatment from a doctor, he is the professional . He could either send them to a rehab clinic or give them methadone (a drug to wean you off of heroin or oxy's) Some of the families knew nothing of their sons/daughters addiction because of the privacy laws.Until it was too late (Death).If a patient were drug seeking shouldn't the doctor have figured this out ,and refused service to his patient ? Should the same pharmcy allow 730 pills to be sold in 25 days to a 21 year old girl?
I agree that the doctor is the professional. They can only go by what information a patient gives them (in part). Who's to say that he was the only doctor that person was seeing? I do agree that the pharmacy should have had some type of fail safe in place to prevent this from happening. For that fact, the pharmacy is just as guilty as the doctor and should be held accountable as well. Although, I don't agree that the doctor should be held responsible SOLELY for her death....after all, he wasn't the one who pulled the trigger.
@SHRph:
[[CITATION REQUIRED]]
No he didn't pull the trigger, but if you took all those pills in an 11 day period , you would be so screwed up. You wouldn't know which way was up. The records from state of Nevada prove that this girl was only seeing him. Your records are available to you also (of all controlled substances) that you have been taking and which doctor is prescribing them. The drugs made her do that evil thing that night.
I have to wonder how it is that you are so sure of what you are saying. Do you work for the state or have some type of priviledge in accessing these records? If so, is this legal? I don't always believe what I read and hear!! The facts may very well be true and then again they may not. I am looking at this open minded and if it were the case that the pharmacy knew then they should be going after their license too! I think that commenting on this issue is healthy but when it consumes your life, it is not right.
To meadows:
I do not work for the state of Nevada , I live in Illinois.It is perfectly legal to access your records ,(State of Nevada-Prescription Monitoring Program Patient Drug Utilization) It will allow you the records for 10 years of controlled substances . Call the dept. if you would like yours all you will need is a ss#, or god forbid a death certicate of the victim. You see this is consuming my life right now ,because I am related to one of the victims who passed away recently.If all regulatory agencies did their job promptly I wouldn't have to be on this board writing these comments .I could be enjoying life like everyone else.
Sounds like the people that died in these four cases all had one thing in common, they manipulated a medical professional, and they didn't know how to read, every bottle of medication has a label on it, every pharmacy, educates the customer before they take their medication home, could these patients not read....If it was three weeks between my potty breaks I would take a laxative, If this young girls was that addicted to oxycotin her parents should have committed her, and the couple that BOTH COMMITTED SUICIDE, their problems had nothing to do with Dr. Kevin, insencitive, ok maybe a little, but this is a DOCTOR, and this valley and it's drug addicts should not be blamed on this Doctor, I have met him several times, in my opinion he is a great doctor, he treats depression, obecity, infections and yes he treats pain, if 200 pain pills are what he prescribed, there was probably a reason, possible the fact that a visit to his office might take half of your afternoon, this bottle of pills was probably intended to last several months, not 11 days, Dr. kevins fault? no, WHERE WERE THE PARENTS? My opinion observing all of these negative comments, this doctor will not lose his licence, and he will probably not lose his ability to treat pain for very long, he is a PROFESSIONAL, and a good one...If you don't believe it,Go see him, just leave your ignorant opinions at home...Not every person has the ability to tolerate pain, he helps people, he doesn't read minds or perform lie detector tests to determine if a 19 year old is telling the truth about her aches and pains...
The same people that blame this Doctor for these problems are probably blaming President Bush because they can't pay their mortgage...
Comment removed by staff.
mikey man:
by the medical board pulling his rx priv.in an emergency action shows there was just cause, so you can stop your babbling.If you don't know the facts, go find them out before you open your trap.
It just goes to show that you can't fight stupid!
ok mikeymouse
First of all you don't know what u are talking about. None of these cases were the determining factor in the summary suspension ! They will be coming up soon . Ok 11 days worth of pills were 3 differant prescriptions. 29.2 pills a day so don't speak unless u know what u are trying to say. Give me a break no one is in that much pain unless their dying , tough it out take some Advil. Thats what my doctor tells me. I am so glad u love your doctor keep him in business . So he won't have to send u flowers to your funeral. Yes ??? Why would I waste a half a day to see a doctor , you see I work and no I don't blame President Bush .
I believe this is a direct quote from the oath that ALL doctors take...
"I will prescribe regimens for the good of my patients according to my ability and my judgment and never do harm to anyone.
To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death."
PILL POPPING DOPE HEADS WANTING TO BLAME A DOCTOR FOR TREATING THEM IS ACININE!!! PERIOD!!! THE DOCTOR DID NOT THROW 10 PILLS DOWN YOUR THROAT WITH A 6 PACK OF BEER AND CAUSE YOUR HEART TO STOP...YOU DID!!! PEOPLE NEED TO GROW UP TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE OWN ACTIONS...I SUPPOSE WHEN YOU OD'D ON CRACK AND METH YOU TURNED IN YOUR DEALER TOO... IT WAS HIS OR HER FAULT YOU PUT TO MUCH IN THE PIPE OR NEEDLE...SAD...THATS ALL I CAN SAY...THE BLAME GAME...I THOUGHT THAT STOPPED AFTER 1ST OR SECOND GRADE!!! MY BAD I GUESS NOT...SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL STUCK THERE!!!
Yes thats right the 69 year old woman named Barbara needed to grow up. Oh and dealer who prescribed the Methadone was none other then the Dr. himself. Its up to the medical board now. Why don't you protest outside the office to save your connection , believe in yourself.
phil 721,
Just because you get your meth fix off of the street doesn't make everybody bad, I don't even take tylenol, my five year old sees her for her yearly shots, as far as fighting goes, it's too bad you hide behind an article in the newspaper to talk big, good for you meth head
dozer,lozer whatever,
Your family overdosed on pills, it's ok protect their reputation by blaming the Doc. Drug use is a huge problem in this country, it's not your doctors fault it's your fault, pay some attention to your kids and ninteen year ols probably won't get hooked on oxycontin, keep him in buisness, let him go out of buisness, who cares, your brain dead kids will get it off the street anyway...AGAIN NOT DOCS FAULT...
To dozer:
I am sorry to hear that one of your family members was part of this ordeal. My heart goes out to you. I understand your anger and fustration. I hope for the families sake that a quick resolution happens cause this is not healthy physically or mentally. Reliving and dewelling on a death only causes more pain and anguish! Perhaps this will bring about regulatory changes and wake these people up!
You know mikey :
Are u crazy taking your 5 year old to him? He was also charged with giving injections in his office. You should never speak of another persons child , beacause it could come back to haunt you !
Meadows:
I appreciate your thoughts. I hope you can see where I am coming from , I just have to believe she walked into his office for help. Her diary clearly states this (found after her death).This diary is so important .The sad thing is what she told the doctor she was addicted to ended her life 18 months later, He never wrote anything down ,he forgot why she was there in the first place.
to mukey
What the heck are you blabbing about "Just because you get your meth fix off of the street doesn't make everybody bad" You really are a goof.Don't even go there with it being my fault you ignorant son. Just how are these young kids getting prescription drugs off the street? If there are no more doctors willing to give out controlled substances. They can't get them .Do you want your daughter to start going to Pharming parties in grammer school . Daddy of the year .I would like to know what strip club your daughter will be working at in 16 years??
Sorry everyone that stupid mikey is really ignorant .
mikey
Don't you dare EVER speak of a child as being brain dead .Take care of your own ,and mind your business you scum of the earth
cynicals oath was the perfect thing to read .
To please no one will I prescribe a deadly drug nor give advice which may cause his death.
CASE CLOSED
This is to all of you self-rightous and yes ignorant people whom have appointed themselves judge, jury, and have ruinned this man's life. And PLEASE do not tell me I don't know what I'm talking about because I lost my only two sisters to drug overdoses, prescription drugs. They did not go to Dr. Buckwalter. If an addict needs his or her drugs they will go through hell or high water to get them. My family did not go after the doctors they went to. My family sent them to re-hab time and time again. You can not save someone that does not want to be saved. They have to want it, and the family is resposible to make sure it's available to them.
You people are so rude to anyone that doesn't share your opinion, you should all be ashamed of yourselfs. You and only you failed your loved ones, and it's just to hard for you all to look in the mirror and admit that. It's easier to blame everyone else involved and be rude to people to deal with your anger.
This is a witch hunt to avoid the truth...you all failed your loved ones. So deal with it and get on with your life...I had to!
WOW!LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE BECOME. WE SIT HERE AND PLAY THE BLAME GAME WITHOUT GIVING THIS MAN TRIAL OF HIS PEERS. I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE 6 KIDS AND ALL NATURAL CHILDBIRTH AND THE PAIN WAS HORRIBLE BUT THE PAIN I ENDURE NOW IS SO MUCH WORST I WOULD RATHER HAVE 10 MORE KIDS NATURALY. TO SIT HERE AND CALL PEOPLE NAMES AND SAY THESE KIDS ARE BRIN DEAD IS HIDEOUS AND NO ONE IS HIDING IN THIS PAGE IS A PLACE FOR US TO ALL SPEAK AND FIND ANSWERS AND GIVE SUPPORT TO THE FAMILIES WHO LOST THERE LOVE ONES TO A SOCIETY THAT IS MONEY DRIVEN AND HEARTLESS. THE MMANUFACTURES GIVE THESE MEDS TO THE DR.'S AND THEY PUSH THE PRODUCT TO MAKE MORE AND TO GET MORE CLIENTS. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT THIS DR. DID NOT CHECK OUT HALLF OF THESE PATIENTS NOR DID HE SEND THEM TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, HE DID WHAAT HE DID KNOWING THAT THESE KINDS OF MEDS COULD CAUSE DEATH. I HAVE TAKEN XANAX ALONG TIME AGO. I AM 135 POUNDS AND CAN TELL YOU THAT A FOURTH OF A XANAX (1MG) KNOCKS ME OUT. HOW IS IT THE PHARMICIES NEVER SAID A THING? THAT SURPRISES THE HELL OUT OF ME THAT SHE WAS ON A 2MG. 4 TIMES A DAY, SHE COULD NOT FUNCTION IN LIFE EVERYDAY. WHY IS IT THE PARENTS NEVER NOTICED OR A FRIEND OR THE OFFICE STAFF? COME ON WHO IS TO REALLY BLAME HERE??? MY DAUGHTER DIED LAST YEAR FROM A RARE DISEASE THAT THE DR.'S KNEW NOTHING ABOUT, BUT WITHOUT THE MEDS THEY GAVE HER (35) PILLS A DAY, INCLUDING LOTS OF PAIN MANAGEMENT MEDS, I WOULD NOT OF HAD HER FOR THE EXTRA 7 MONTHS. I KNOW PAIN BUT WENT THREW THE GRIEF WITHOUT TAKING MEDS FOR SLEEP AND OR DEPRESSION. I HAVE FIBROMYALGIA, SIPPLES SYNDROME AND PLANTARS FACIATIS, ALONG WITH OTHER THINGS, BUT I CHOOSE TO TAKE WHAT WORKS FOR ME AND IT'S PAIN MEDS AND WITHOUT THEM I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MOVE, MIND YOU I HAD NEVER TAKEN SO MUCH AS A TYLENOL UP TILL I GOT THIS DISEASE AND WORKED 3 JOBS AND TOOK CARE OF 6 KIDS. SO NO ONE IS HIDING BEHIND THIS PAGE AND TO SAY BRAIN DEAD KIDS AND CALL PEOPLE OUT SHOWS HOW HATEFUL AND THE MALICE WE FEEL FOR THIS TRAGEDY, BUT IF WE REDIRECT IT WE COULD DO ALOT OF GOOD. IF THIS DR. IS GUILTY AND HAS TO PAIN SET UP A FUND FOR DEATHS BY MEDICATION AND GROUPS THAT DEAL WITH DR.'S THAT JUST PUSH PEN AND PAPER. THIS DR. NEVER EXAMINED HALF OF THESE PATIENTS AND HIS PAPER TRAIL WAS DELETED ALONG THE WAY. BUT IF HE DID NOT GIVE IT TO HER SHE WOULD HAVE GONE TO ANOTHER ONE TILL ONE DID OR TO A DEALER. THESE KIDS THAT ARE HOOKED WILL DO ANYTHING FOR THESE DRUGS. THEIR MOODS CHANGE THEY DO NOT EAT AND SLEEP ALOT. THEY GET VERY AGGRESSIVE AND ANGRY WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE THEM AND THESE ARE SIGNS THAT ARE NOT HARD TO SEE.SO LET'S TRY TO USE THIS PAGE PRODUCTIVELY AND LET'S FIND THESE FAMILIES AND GIVE THEM SUPPORT AND RALLY BEHIND THEM. SAY SOMETHING KIND TODAY AND REMEMBER WE ARE ALL JUDGED BY THE SAME MAN IN THE END AND HE IS THE ONLY ONE YOU ANSWER TO ON JUDGEMENT DAY. BE KIND AND KNOW PEOPLE ARE JUST EXPRESSING THEMSELVES AND IT IS OUR RIGHT TO SPEAK.GOD BLESS AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL HAVE A KIND WORD TO A PERSON WHO NEEDS IT.
I ALSO WANTED TO SAY THAT THESE MANUFACTURERS AND PHARMICIES PUSH THIS MEDICATION AND ALL THESE PHARMACIES TRY TO BE LOWER THEN THE OTHER AND WHEN THEY SEE SOMEONE COME IN AT 21 AND FILL A PRESCRIPTION FOR SO MUCH THEY SHOULD CALL THE DR. AND THE DEA. BUT THEY COLLECT AND THEN CALL, COME ON NO ONE SEEN A CHANGE IN THESES PEOPLE AND NO ONE TOOK THESE PEOPLE TO THE HOSPITAL OR TO A DETOX. PLEASE BE CAREFUL IN WHAT YOU SAY THIS IS NOT A BASHING SESSION IT'S ABOUT EXPRESSING HOW THIS HURTS THE COMMUNITY AND MANY OTHERS. IT'S ABOUT EXPOSING THOSE WHO ARE NOT DOING WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THEM BY LAW. WE HAVE ALL HAD SOMETHING WE CAN RELATE TO THAT HAS CAUSED PAIN AND DO YOU RUN AND TAKE A PILL OR FIND A WAY TO DEAL WITH LIFE. IF THE MEDICATION YOU TAKE FOR A HEADACHE DOES NOT WORK DO YOU PLAY THE COMPANY THAT MADE IT OR IF YOU HAVE A REACTION DO YOU SUE OR POST COMMENTS LIKE THESE ONES NO YOU TRY AND FIND OTHER METHODS THAT WORK. IT'S CLEAR THAT THESE MEDS ARE STIL GETTING IN THE HANDS OF THE WRONG PEOPLE AND THE DR.'S ARE NOT DOING A COMPLETE JOB AND IS MORE INTO HOW MANY PEOPLE HE GETS IN HIS OFFICE, WELL LET'S SEE WHERE THIS GOES AND WHO TELS WHAT REALLY HAPPENED. THE OFFICE STAFF ALL NEW AND SOME OTHERS THAT SHOULD HAVE SQEALED BUT PEOPLE TURNED THEIR BACKS AND JUST WENT ABOUT THEIR LIVES. AGAIN SAY A KIND WORD AND HUG A ADDICT THEY ARE NOT ALL BAD. WE ALL HAVE BAD HABITS OR DO THINGS THAT ARE NOT HEALTHY FOR US SO IF WE DIE WHO'S FAULT IS THAT AND WHO GETS PUT ON TRIAL?? GOD BLESS AND HAVE A AWESOME DAY!!!!!!!!!
You know maybe the doctor is a nice man. He will be judged by a peer group to determine his actions . If they find him not guilty then thats what we have to accept.I agree please don't bash a family who has lost a loved one. Never ever speak of anyones child in a negative way. For they all are created equal from above
No one ruined the doctors life ? He is still working everyday. Just like the rest of us. Unfortunately he has questions to answer .If these Heppa laws were not so private, maybe he could have called the families on the emergency contact numbers to warn them of their sons/daughters problems ???? It takes more than one to complete this regulation of answers.
dozer,
A what was it that youo said about my 5 year old at a strip club, and you are blabbing about talking about family, I wish I could meet you, it would be the last stupit thing you said about me, keep blaming the doc, did you get on the list to be payed when your family files a lawsuit also, you and everyone in this blog fail to remember that, he didn't shoot anyone nor did he force a deadly amount of xanax into anyone, hide behind this blog and flap your trap all you want, I blame the parents if anything, where the hell were they? don't bother responding I am done with you loser!!!!!!
These last 4 cases have absolutely nothing to do with his summary suspension. As far as you calling my relative brain dead totally uncool, as for me talking about your daughter sorry.But you made me angry when you spoke of my relative not here to defend herself. I could meet you if you wish, but what would that accomplish ? We both feel differant .
After reading all of Northsiders postings I have decided this person "Northsider and all of its alter egos need to be commited to a psych-ward"and given the meds they so desparately crave. Constantly calling people names trying to shout over other peoples opinions because you think you are the high and mighty all knowing one here. Someone OD'd on pain meds and oh well the gene pool is that much clearer another tick mark on the Darwin awards board........ahahahahahaha
apathy:
Why is it that every comment that you make is about me , and not the story ?
If you yell loudest you will attract the most attention.
If you rock the boat the most you will attract the most attention.
If you call people names putting them down for their opinions etc then you are going to attract the most attention.
Now that Dr Buckwalter has sold his practice I would suggest you get a life and take some people skill classes because you really don't have any.
Oh and Ps: Those who OD on pain medication deserve it because they were too stupid to read the bottle and do what it said to do.
What kind of level did you lower yourself too? Happy Holidays to you to .I have come to the conclusion that yes I am high & mighty and way to good to speak to ignorant people. Try sometime to help others it may do you some good. No one deserves to OD .So where did the good Dr. go? Why would he sell his practice , he was so caring ??????
Yes I lowered myself to your level.
Yes you are HIGH on something.
Yes you are to good to speak to ignorant people which is why you are only online ranting at others.
I tried helping you by pointing out the obvious fault you have.
Yes people deserve to OD if they are too stupid to read their med bottle or have an addiction in the first place.
Sold his practice yes he did whether you had something to do with it or not I care not and where he goes is not my business or yours.
You have a good holiday too for I expect to see more of your ranting on these forums.
Oh one more thing......get some fresh air and clear your hate filled mind because I am sure there are some more Doctors you need to run out of this valley and its good to start with a fresh and clear mind.
No I am high on nothing .I take zero drugs.I actually run 20 plus miles a week have a personal trainer and participate in yoga. You tried to help me ? How. My only fault is that I am too nice.Did you ever have someone die that you actually cared about? My mind is filled with only good intentions of helping other people, and the Dr. who lost his narcotic prescribing license was taken away by the Medical Board, not me.I don't even live in Nevada , so if I could help others from a far I will.Its amazing what I can do from Illinois . You see Vegas Dr.'s were just given a bad reputation because of Dr. Kevin.Selling his practice only proves his guilt of not wanting to help others,leaving hundreds of people so screwed up. I bet you already knew that.If I could help just one person (even you) I would be proud.
I really don't care what the doctor has done or will do in the future ,this was all about you and your never ending tirade about him and I suspect others(bad naming them) and if you really want to help anyone help yourself and if you really are in Illinois then why don't you help those people in Chicago who seem to want to kill themselves off,or walk down to the local corner and tell the drug dealer to stop peddling his stuff because it kills people just as much as precription medication does and they know it but of course I'm pretty sure they care too.As far as loosing a loved one is concerned yes we all loose them in some form now and then but thats life,they died because of their lifestyle or just one of those random quirks of nature that takes them away. And I doubt you take zero drugs.You are too nice.....thats not what I have read on these forums....calling people idiots and Illegal aliens etc.......GET A CLUE.....you are not nice and nobody should deserves your self rightious vomit spewing out of your mouth or whatever you type on these forums.
Yuo want to be nice then write nicely and do not judge people unless you have met them ...my judement on you since I have not personally met you is that you are being a shrill .I do not need any help I will live my life and die however fate determines it.Also since you don't live in Nevada you ........mind your own.
Thanks to all the stupid people that can'ttake
responsibility for their own actions we have lost a great doctor.Northsider and all the negative people that don't have a clue about what being a doctor is all about.Being a doctor is about caring,beliving,trusting and wanting to take care of people.Having the most compassion for all mankind.You people did not know Dr.B like his true patients did.I have the most admiration for him.I belive that a lot of people used him.Yes he should not have prescribed so much RX.I feel that a lot of people are to blame the people that OD,the pharmacies are they not policing and the family members for not seeing the sings and not getting their love ones the help that they needed.I pray for DR.B and wish him the best.I hope that people learn to forgive him.
Apathy:
You really are your definition .
Norma:
I pray for my family at the Holidays minus one great girl with a smile so sweet and a voice of an angel. Never again will she open another present and this breaks my heart, so I hope you Dr. lovers can sleep at night knowing he left all his true patients with nowhere to go. He just picked up & left you hanging , he could still practice medicine.But he decided not to help his 1500 patients. How can he sleep at night ?????
dont blame the DOCTOR! people need to take responsibility for theyre actions!! people always want to find someone to blame.He was a great doctor and peoples deaths should not be blamed on anyone but themselves for being irresponsible.
He was a drug dealer with a prescription pad. The fact is he knew what was going on and allowed it to continue for years word spread fast. So don't talk about the good doctor in a postitve way. Allow him to take some responsibility for his actions.
Lets blame the people who are not here to defend themselves. You know it took way to long to stop him we posssibly saved a few lives . Christmas sucks without my niece . I am sure the Dr. is having a glass of wine with dinner now just go ahead & enjoy. It will be the last Christmas before criminal charges are filed.
Does anyone know who I would give information to regarding this matter?
I can't believe we have to wait so long for the medical board to act on complaints filed .If they promptly acted when called upon some people would still be alive . I will never be able to celebrate Staci's 22 birthday with her . Thanks alot government agencies .
CRIMINAL AT LARGE