DOVER, Del. - A Dover physician, accused of performing hundreds of biopsies and surgical procedures without any legitimate medical need, has had his medical license temporarily suspended, according to the Delaware state officials.
The Delaware State Department said Thursday that Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock and the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline issued a temporary order immediately suspending the medical license of Dr. Lindsay Brathwaite, a dermatologist.
In October of 2014, officials say the Board ordered Dr. Brathwaite's license to be placed on probation for five years after finding that he performed unnecessary procedures, used unsterile practices, and wrote inappropriate prescriptions. During the time of probation, officials say the Board further ordered that he was to not perform any biopsies or surgical procedures, he was to obtain training and education, and he was to pay a $10,000 fine. Despite that order, officials say it was later found that Dr. Brathwaite continued performing biopsies on a daily basis and surgical procedures on a weekly basis.
"This behavior had previously demonstrated a real risk to the health and safety of both current and potential patients of this doctor. This blatant disregard for the restrictions placed on his practice by the Board only heightens that risk and the need to take action," said Secretary Bullock, who can, along with the President of the Board of Medical licensure and Discipline, order the immediate, temporary suspension of a professional license.
Officials say that temporary suspension is limited to a 60-day period, during which time a disciplinary hearing will be held to determine what additional action may be necessary.
Dr. Brathwaite's Center for Dermatology previously was shut down by the Division of Public Health in June 2011. The center, then listed as being located at Suite 201, 230 Beiser Blvd. in Dover, was closed after an unannounced inspection was conducted jointly by DPH and the Professional Regulation division. That inspection found the facility posed a substantial risk to the health and safety of patients. The order also extended to a second location at 118 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View.
