Four Minnesota physicians were disciplined by the Board of Medical Practice this month for unprofessional or unethical conduct, including a doctor who serves as the Itasca county coroner.
Dr. Michael Baich of Coleraine was disciplined for prescribing excessive quantities of narcotics to patients after he was warned that they were abusing drugs, the board reported Wednesday. The board found that Baich, 64, failed to "recognize drug-seeking behavior in his patients," and that he failed to properly document or monitor their use of narcotics.
Baich acknowledged inadequacies in his prescribing and record-keeping practices, the board said. He was ordered to pay $5,379 in fines and to complete courses in chemical dependency awareness, chronic pain management and professional ethics.
Baich, who has been Itasca county coroner since 1995, could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In addition:
•Dr. James Harvanko of Richfield voluntarily gave up his license to practice medicine this month, after admitting to the Medical Board that he had a sexual relationship with a patient. Harvanko, 46, had been disciplined in 2002, when he admitted to having sex with three patients and working under the influence of amphetamines. At the time, his license was temporarily suspended by the board, and reinstated a year later.
•Dr. Cory Rossow of Morgan was barred from treating patients younger than 18. Three years ago, the board temporarily suspended his license after he was charged with criminal sexual conduct with a juvenile. The board reinstated his license in February, after the criminal case was settled without prosecution. Rossow, now 45, will be allowed to practice only in group settings approved by the Medical Board. He also was ordered to undergo psychotherapy and complete a course in professional ethics, according to the board.
•Dr. Peter Frederixon, 69, of Apple Valley was reprimanded for "routinely prescribing excessive quantities of narcotics" and for failing to properly assess patients for chemical dependency. He was ordered to complete courses in pharmacology, chemical dependency awareness and professional ethics.
