At its meeting on Sept. 29, 2007, the Board of Directors of the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) considered the following automatic compliance actions and took the actions indicated. Actions were taken under Article VIII, Section 2 of the AAOS Bylaws.

Steven R. Beranek, MD
Salem, Ore.
Fellowship suspended

On April 4, 2007, Steven R. Beranek, MD, voluntarily withdrew from the practice of medicine pending the completion of a State of Oregon Board of Medical Examiners’ (BME) investigation. The BME initiated the investigation based on credible information and recommended that he cease the practice of medicine until the investigation is complete.

Previously (April 2002), Dr. Beranek had surrendered his medical license to the Medical Board of California following its accusations based on a reprimand issued by the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama in August 2001. Dr. Beranek agreed that cause existed to discipline his California physician and surgeon’s license. On Oct. 29, 2000, the Medical Licensure Commission of Alabama reprimanded Dr. Beranek and terminated his hospital medical staff privileges at Medical Center Enterprise in Enterprise, Ala., based on unprofessional conduct, specifically a pattern of inappropriate sexual conduct with female employees.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Beranek until he has a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.

David L. Greene, MD
Sun City West, Ariz.
Expelled as associate candidate member

On Aug. 20, 2007, the Arizona Medical Board (AMB) conducted an Emergency Summary Action Meeting during which the AMB suspended the medical license of David L. Greene, MD, pending a formal hearing or other AMB action. The AMB had previously issued a Decree of Censure on Aug. 16, 2007, and had placed his medical license on probation for two years.

The initial investigation involved a complaint about Dr. Greene’s care of an elderly patient and other instances of poor patient outcomes. The AMB reviewed six patient records and found deviations of the standard of care in five of the cases, including the deaths of two patients. During a formal interview before the AMB, Dr. Greene testified that he had not had any major technical or surgical complications during the last 18 months, but the AMB was later informed of two additional patients who experienced complications during that time. One of these patients died as the result of extensive spinal surgery.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Greene as an Associate Candidate Member. In addition, the Board voted that this action be permanently noted in Dr. Greene’s membership file so that the Membership Committee will be notified in the event he applies for Fellowship.

Keith P. Hughes, MD
Lincoln, Neb.
Expelled from Fellowship

On May 15, 2006, the State of Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services revoked the medical license of Keith P. Hughes, MD, for violations of the terms and conditions of a 2005 Agreed Order resulting from his drug and alcohol addiction. On Feb. 16, 2007, Dr. Hughes voluntarily surrendered his medical license to the Texas Medical Board.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Hughes from the AAOS.

Gerald S. Kane, MD
Highland Park, Ill.
Fellowship suspended

On June 20, 2007, the State of Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation issued an Order for Temporary Suspension of the medical license of Gerald S. Kane, MD, pending proceedings before the Illinois Medical Disciplinary Board. Allegations against Dr. Kane include gross negligence, unprofessional conduct, violation of the controlled substances act, and prescribing for other than medically accepted therapeutic purposes in relation to the deaths of three patients between October 2004 and December 2006.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Kane pending the final outcome of this matter in Illinois.

Mark R. Rogers, MD
Houston, Texas
Fellowship suspended

On Jan. 23, 2007, the Texas Medical Board (TMB) filed a formal complaint against Mark R. Rogers, MD, for violations of a 2002 Public Order that required him to abstain from alcohol and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings four times per week. Since August 2000, Dr. Rogers has entered into three separate Orders with the TMB based on self-reports of alcohol abuse. The December 2000 Public Order included a 7-year probated suspension of his medical license. The TMB modified this Public Order in October 2002, changing “suspension” to “restriction.” In November 2005, Dr. Rogers again self-reported alcohol consumption.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to suspend Dr. Rogers until he has a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine.

Doyle R. Sickles, MD
Morgantown, W.Va.
Expelled from Fellowship

On March 23, 2007, a jury convicted Doyle R. Sickles, MD, (and his wife) of income tax evasion offenses. Following these felony convictions, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia sentenced Dr. Sickles to be incarcerated for 3 years. He is currently serving this sentence.

The AAOS Board of Directors voted to expel Dr. Sickles for the duration of his prison sentence. Dr. Sickles is permitted to reapply after completing his prison sentence if he has a full, unrestricted license to practice medicine.

Fellows and members who learn of state licensure actions may forward the information to Pamela Winkler, manager of member services, 6300 N. River Rd, Rosemont, Ill., 60018-4262, or winkler@aaos.org