Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 7, 1994 TAG: 9407070126
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURA WILLIAMSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Dr. David K. Minton, of Podiatric Medicine & Foot Surgery, will have 30 days after he receives a written decision from the board to decide whether to agree to those conditions or appeal his case to a formal hearing.
Neither Minton nor his attorney could be reached for comment after leaving the hearing at the Sheraton Inn Roanoke Airport hotel.
Minton, whose practice is in the Jefferson Medical Park, answered charges that he performed unnecessary surgery, practiced substandard care and used improper billing methods. The allegations came from the Michigan Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery and from eight patients, several of whom also brought malpractice suits against Minton.
Patients complained that Minton performed surgery on their feet and toes when it wasn't medically called for and made surgical and post-surgical errors that caused them pain and complications.
During the hearing, Minton defended his practice and his billing methods as proper, and denied allegations that he didn't fully explain to patients before surgery the extent of the procedures he was about to perform.
He told the board that he had been sued 10 times in his 20 years of practice and that he surrendered his podiatrist's license in Michigan five years ago, following allegations that he had performed medical procedures for which he was not licensed.
About 10 years ago, Minton lost his right to practice at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, after he lost his malpractice insurance coverage, he told the board. He now has a new insurance carrier and privileges at Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley.
by CNB