Alleged illegal surgery is basis for woman’s arrest

By Marshall Allen (contact)

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Patricia Padilla

Illegal surgeries

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Botanica Maya

Authorities raid store where surgeries were performed in back room (6-26-2009)

Archive of Sun health stories

Metro Police arrested a woman on multiple counts of practicing medicine without a license, harming a patient and possessing dangerous drugs without a prescription in connection with a botched surgery that allegedly took place in the back of a drug store.

Patricia Padilla, 50, was arrested Friday and is now free on bail, police spokeswoman Barbara Morgan said.

Authorities were first called June 19 to Botanica Maya, 5347 E. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, because a woman was bleeding profusely — apparently from gynecological surgery that had gone wrong — in the retail store, which sells over-the-counter medications, vitamins and herbs. The woman was rushed to a hospital, and then police and health authorities investigated the site. They found a crude surgical suite set up in the back room, including a cabinet with intravenous and injectable medications, many with Spanish labels, and a log with the names of patients and procedures.

In the trash were found bloody rags, used syringes and needles, pill bottles and bottles of injectable drugs with Spanish labels.

The state Health Department shut down the surgery operations with a cease-and-desist order on June 26.

The store is owned by Patricia Padilla’s stepson, Adam Padilla. When reached by the Sun June 26, he said his stepmother operated the store and that the procedure done June 19 was performed by a man known only as “Gustavo,” and he fled to another country after the police were called.

Adam Padilla did not return calls on Monday.

Patricia Padilla was arrested on two counts of practicing medicine without a license, one count of willful wanton disregard with substantial bodily harm or death, one count of conspiracy to commit a crime and five counts of possession of a dangerous drug without prescription.

On the Internet, the location is listed as the address of “Patricia Padilla, M.D.,” but she is not a physician and is not licensed to practice medicine.

The case was investigated by Metro Police’s Violent Crimes unit.

Discussion: 10 comments so far…

By tannsummers

7/21/09 at 7:49 a.m.

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I'm afraid if Obama-care passes, we'll hear and see more of these types of stories. Basically, Americans have very little patience. I don't anticipate them waiting 4 months for wisdom teeth surgery, for example. Back-room, illegal surgeries will be happening everywhere.
By Judy

7/21/09 at 7:53 a.m.

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tannsummers - how can anyone think in such a backward manner? If this person had access to real health care this would not have happened.

Keep hating and not opening your mind to reality, it keeps the right ignorant and in the losing category.
By Phyremedic

7/21/09 at 8:14 a.m.

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I have no doubt that this is NOT a politically motivated occurrence, rather that of immigration status.

Read the article, see through the "Political Correctness".

"the procedure done June 19 was performed by a man known only as "Gustavo," and he fled to another country after the police were called."

My question is, what country did this individual flee to and what is being done to bring him to justice?

Why is there no oversight on this type of business? Why are those in the neighborhood not reporting this activity rather than condoning it?

Seems to me that you get what you get, when you do what you do.
By goyo

7/21/09 at 8:43 a.m.

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The sky is falling, the sky is falling! Health care with Obama will be a disaster!

And what do you think it is now?

Costs rising way over the cost of living!
Loosing your health care when you loose your job because you can't afford cobra!
being denied for preexisting conditions!
Having your health care jerked when you get sick over some technicality!
Having to wait forever for approval and then dying because they were too slow to decide!

Just like to auto industry, the health care industry and insurance companies have had their chance to change. They did not, so now they can go jump in the lake. Now they will be forced to change. All of the surveys of the modern industrialized world show that the US in now in the bottom half of countries for providing health care to its citizens.

Greed, simply greed.
By GGinLV

7/21/09 at 9:02 a.m.

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Judy - You are the one who is ignorant. This has nothing to do with lack of health care. Botanicas are a cultural thing. It may not make sense to people, but it is something that is deeply rooted in Latino cultures, especially those with ties to the Caribbean.
By homer

7/21/09 at 10:39 a.m.

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tansummers, You are impaired and in need of help. These kind of operations happen when people can not get proper medical care.Fifty million people are without health insurance insurance,millions more are underinsured and millions more are being denied medical treatment by insurance companies who are concerned about profits only. Millions more are denied health insurance because of preexisting health problems. You need to study the issues and quit listening to the drug addict Rush.
By spock

7/21/09 at 11:03 a.m.

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this just goes to show how third world this town has become!
By azsk8fan

7/21/09 at 12:17 p.m.

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Spock, the most realistic statement made here.
By gotjobs

7/21/09 at 12:52 p.m.

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gee Homer you're tossing alot of millions around, you haven't been listening to the messiah have you?
By rumrunner

7/22/09 at 11:07 a.m.

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When liveing and dieing americans cant get the help the government is handing over to illeagals without a bat of the eye,what did you think was gonna happen?After sitting at the ER for over 3 hrs,and watching as one after another NON ENGLISH speaking person was helped before me,(because of our fantastic government giveing them the help they never have or never will pay for)because i didnt have insurence.GOD BLESS AMERICA!