Disgraced USC Med School Dean Stripped Of His License

LOS ANGELES, CA — Former USC Keck School of Medicine Dean Carmen Puliafito is officially without a medical license Tuesday.

The Medical Board of California decided in late July to strip Puliafito's license for violations including illegal drug use and writing prescriptions for a prostitute who was not a patient. That decision remained pending for 30 days, giving Puliafito time to file an appeal.

According to Medical Board documents, the revocation became official Friday, with the board taking no action on a petition for limited reconsideration filed on Puliafito's behalf by his attorney, Peter Osinoff.

Osinoff said he asked the board to consider allowing possible reinstatement of Puliafito's license in two years. As it stands, the 67-year- old Puliafito can make that appeal after three years, the attorney said.

During Medical Board hearings on the matter, the Harvard-trained ophthalmologist and Osinoff claimed he suffered from bipolar disorder and a "hypomanic" state that poisoned his judgment and skewed his understanding of how his behavior would be viewed by others, the Los Angeles Times reported.

They argued that Puliafito has been in recovery about a year and should be allowed to practice medicine under supervision, according to The Times.

Jill Schlichtmann, the administrative law judge hearing the case, concluded that Puliafito "has made some important strides toward his rehabilitation and he hopes to continue the practice of medicine. However, the evidence did not establish that his rehabilitation has progressed to the point that would justify allowing his continued licensure, even on a restricted basis.

"Protection of the public warrants revocation of respondent's certificate due to his unprofessional conduct."

Schlichtmann also wrote that Puliafito's testimony "lacked complete candor, raising ongoing concerns about his honesty and his rehabilitation."

The decision came a year after The Times detailed Puliafito's drug use and partying, prompting the state's investigation and its accusation that the former dean used methamphetamine and heroin, smoked methamphetamine within hours of seeing patients and provided drugs to criminals and addicts. The Times also detailed Puliafito's role in the drug overdose of a 21-year-old prostitute in a Pasadena hotel.

Puliafito resigned as dean in 2016 but remained on the medical school faculty and continued to accept new patients. He was fired by the school last August in the wake of The Times report.

In her ruling, Schlichtmann said the evidence did not rise to "a clear and convincing" level that Puliafito used drugs the same day he practiced medicine. During the proceeding, Puliafito denied supplying street drugs.

Osinoff said Tuesday that Puliafito now finds himself unable to practice his chosen profession.

"He's an outstanding physician and it would be difficult for him to choose another profession at this point," the attorney said.

City News Service; Photo: Youtube screengrab