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Doctor Found Guilty Of 11 Counts Of Misconduct

Last updated on Tuesday, July 28, 2015

(WASHINGTON) - Dr. Michael Baker has been found guilty of 11 counts of misconduct.

Baker was a practicing OB GYN in Washington with an office in the Heartland OB GYN clinic. He surrendered his privileges at Daviess Community Hospital in January.

Baker was accused of improper sexual relations with a patient, not documenting prescriptions of a controlled substance, not documenting visits, violation of HIPPA (patient privacy) laws and others.

The allegations are part of a Medical Licensing issue. Dr. Baker's attorney, Kevin Betz of Betz and Blevins law firm of Indianapolis, stressed they are not criminal.

According to the complaint, a woman who had been Dr. Baker's patient for a decade claims that in November 2013 he began providing her private counseling at her home without billing her for services and without documenting her treatment.

Six months after those counseling sessions the woman made an office visit where Dr. Baker allegedly prescribed her anti-anxiety and anti-depression medication without documenting the visits, and that in December 2013 and March 2014 he wrote her prescriptions for Ambien.

The complaint claims that from November 2013 to May 2014 Dr. Baker and the same patient became involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship.

The attorney general also alleges that in the spring of 2014 Dr. Baker began providing counseling session for the woman's brother-in-law in the brother-in-law's home. During that time, he failed to maintain records of the prescriptions and counseling sessions that were held.

Authorities also claim Dr. Baker disclosed confidential patient information to the brother-in-law, including that he had previously treated a mutual friend's wife for emotional complications she experienced following pregnancy.

Five of the counts against Dr. Baker stem from the allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct with the female patient. The remaining counts accuse him of failing to maintain proper records of the treatment of the woman and her brother-in-law and the prescriptions they received.

Other counts claim he was providing counseling without proper training and that he violated ethical standards by discussing another patient's treatment with the brother-in-law.

The Medical Licensing Board suspended Baker's license indefinitely or for a minimum of three months. He can file for reinstatement if he completes 40 hours of continuing medical education in various areas including ethics and controlled substance prescribing. He is also to undergo psychiatric evaluation and ongoing care and pay a $5,500 fine.

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