Tag Archives: maine news

Feb 17 2016

Brunswick Psychiatrist Placed on Probation

02/17/2016 12:46 PM EST

 

AUGUSTA, ME – On February 17, 2016 the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine entered into a Consent Agreement with Whitney Houghton, M.D. This disciplinary action is based on Dr. Houghton’s record keeping and prescribing practices. Dr. Houghton will be on probation for one year during which time she must transition to and maintain typewritten records that meet psychiatric standards, successfully complete a recordkeeping/charting course, and provide records for Board review. Dr. Houghton practices in Brunswick.

On April 1, 2014 the Board received a complaint from the husband of a patient alleging his wife had a long history of addiction and that Dr. Houghton continued to prescribe the medications. During the investigation the Board had the records reviewed by an independent outside expert. The reviewer found that the records did not meet the standard of care and noted concerns with specific medications prescribed. In October 2015 Dr. Houghton completed a three day psychopharmacology course at Massachusetts General Psychiatry Academy.

All Board disciplinary actions are reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Federation of State Medical Boards Action Data Bank. These reports are regularly reviewed by every state licensing board in the country.

The Board is made up of 6 physicians, 3 public members, and a physician assistant appointed by the Governor. Disciplinary actions taken by the Board are available to the public either by telephone at (207) 287-3601, or on the Board’s website at www.maine.gov/md.

Feb 17 2016

Lewiston Physician Reprimanded

02/17/2016 12:45 PM EST

 

AUGUSTA, ME – On February 12, 2016 the Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine entered into a Consent Agreement with Marc Christensen, M.D. This disciplinary action is based on Dr. Christensen being charged with Operating Under the Influence. In addition to the reprimand, Dr. Christensen must also pay a $1,000 civil penalty and will be on probation for seven years. Dr. Christensen practices in Lewiston.

On February 8, 2015 Dr. Christensen was charged with Operating Under the Influence following a motor vehicle accident. On March 5, 2015 the Board received information that Dr. Christensen’s employment had been terminated and that the accident had occurred while Dr. Christensen was on call for the treatment of patients. On April 14, 2015 Dr. Christensen entered into an Interim Consent Agreement with the Board that provided for the immediate suspension of his license.

All Board disciplinary actions are reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank and the Federation of State Medical Boards Action Data Bank. These reports are regularly reviewed by every state licensing board in the country.

The Board is made up of 6 physicians, 3 public members, and a physician assistant appointed by the Governor. Disciplinary actions taken by the Board are available to the public either by telephone at (207) 287-3601, or on the Board’s website at www.maine.gov/md.

The Board of Licensure in Medicine is the State of Maine agency charged to protect the health and welfare of the public by verifying the qualifications of physicians to practice, and disciplining physicians for unprofessional conduct and incompetence. Any citizen can request an investigation of a physician or physician assistant by contacting the Board office by telephone at (207) 287-3608, by letter, or by visiting the Board’s web site.