Medical Board Revokes License of San Diego Physician

Business Wire, Feb 27, 2004

Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 27, 2004

The Medical Board of California has revoked the license of Donna M. Anderson, M.D., effective February 26, 2004. Anderson was convicted of first degree murder and attempted murder in June 2002. Anderson is an ob/gyn who was licensed in California. She practiced medicine in Minnesota for a number of years. On February 24, 2002, Anderson went to the Burlingame, California home of her former husband where she stabbed her 13-year-old son to death. During the attack on her son, Anderson also stabbed her former husband, seriously injuring him. On February 26, 2002, the Medical Board, represented by Deputy Attorney General Jane Simon, appeared before the Superior Court of the County of San Mateo and obtained a practice restriction on Anderson's medical license. On June 7, 2002, Anderson pled guilty to all charges against her and was sentenced on July 5, 2002 to 37 years to life.

The Medical Board filed an Accusation against Anderson's license on August 2, 2002. She requested a hearing on the charges, and the case was heard on December 10, 2003, at the Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla, California by Administrative Law Judge Leonard L. Scott, at which time Anderson appeared on her own behalf. Judge Scott ruled in favor of the Medical Board that there was sufficient cause for discipline under Business and Professions Code section 2234(e) (the commission of any act involving dishonesty or corruption which is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a physician and surgeon) and section 2236 (conviction of a crime). In addition, Anderson was ordered to pay cost recovery to the Board in the amount of $7,230.54. The Medical Board adopted the judge's proposed decision.

On February 23, 2004 Anderson filed a Petition for Reconsideration of the Medical Board's decision and on February 27, 2004, the petition was denied by the Medical Board.

The mission of the Medical Board of California is to protect healthcare consumers through the proper licensing and regulation of physicians and surgeons and certain allied healthcare professions and through the vigorous, objective enforcement of the Medical Practice Act.

If you have a question or complaint about the healthcare you are receiving, the Board encourages you to visit its Web site at www.medbd.ca.gov or for questions call the Consumer Information Line at 916-263-2382, or with complaints call 800-633-2322.