| Complaint: | Complaint 18-56 |
|---|---|
| Respondent: | Refaat Ishak |
| Premises: | St Mark Animal Hospital |
The complainant writes that she formerly worked for Ishak and mentions incidents where he performed surgeries outside of the bounds of his veterinary board order. She also mentioned a concern that Ishak is using "Reed" as a name instead of the name on his license. She says that she was warned about him in school and that he "does not deserve the honor of working as a veterinarian." Ishak replies that the procedures performed do not violate the terms of his board order and points to his records as proof. He also says that the complainant is a former employee of his who was shifted through several roles at his clinic but never worked out, leading to termination. He also states that he uses the name "Reed" instead of "Refaat" as it's easier for people to pronounce. He notes that Reed is part of his name and that he uses it on official filings. The Investigative Division came up with a report, and the veterinary board appears to have concluded that he performed surgery or pulled teeth in two procedures, thus violating his board order.
This complaint, 18-56, was received at the veterinary board on January 25, 2018. The next complaint, 18-57, was received on January 26, 2018, and is about Ishak as well. What are the odds?
| Source: | April 4, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Larry Cohen | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Jessica Creager |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Absent |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | June 6, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| Artie Eaves | Respondent Attorney |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Larry Cohen | Respondent Attorney |
| Refaat Ishak | Respondent |
| Proposed By: | Sarah Heinrich |
| Seconded By: | Darren Wright |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Absent |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Absent |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Julie Young | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Aye |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | December 12, 2018 Board Meeting |
|---|---|
| People: | |
| David Stoll | Respondent Attorney |
| Larry Cohen | Respondent Attorney |
| Proposed By: | Darren Wright |
| Seconded By: | Christina Bertch-Mumaw |
| Roll Call: | |
| Christina Bertch-Mumaw | Aye |
| Darren Wright | Aye |
| J Greg Byrne | Aye |
| Jane Soloman | Aye |
| Jessica Creager | Aye |
| Jim Loughead | Aye |
| Nikki Frost | Aye |
| Robyn Jaynes | Absent |
| Sarah Heinrich | Aye |
| Result: | Passed |
| Source: | Order 18026 (December 12, 2018) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(22) Medical Incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine for performing. diagnostics without medical justification indicating that Respondent lacked sufficient knowledge; inappropriate use of hydromorphone for pain control where the method of administration left large windows of pain present; and pain medication was not dispensed at discharge in or around August 21, 2017. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(18) for Violating the Board’s Order in Case Nos. 15-77 and 15-103 by extracting teeth and/or performing surgery during two anesthetic procedures involving a dog and a cat on December 18, 2017, and December 29, 2017, respectively, where the Board’s Order restricted Respondent from performing any and all surgeries indefinitely including soft tissue, orthopedic, and oral surgeries, including dental extractions. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(1) for failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures for not recognizing the dog's paresis on discharge on December 21, 2017, and again on December 22, 2017, when dropped off for euthanasia where medical records stated dog was ambulatory | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(8) for failing to provide copies of medical records within 10 days of the pet owners request | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(21) as it relatesto A.A.C. R3-11-502(F) for failure to obtain signed authorization from the pet owner before euthanasia was performed | |
| A.R.S, § 32-2232 (11} Gross incompetence; A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to R3-11-501 (3); | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine; and administrative violation of A.R.S. §°32-2233 (B) (3). | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (11) Malpractice, gross negligence and gross incompetence | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Euthanasia procedures that are not based upon his diagnosis but rather on a diagnosis made by another veterinarian or at an owner's request; | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Pre-vaccination examinations; vaccinations; blood draws related to heartworm, FIV/FeLV tests and other Snap tests that are performed in-house; microchipping; nail -trims; anal gland expressions; and providing/dispensing heartworm preventive care if appropriate testing had occurred and/or medical records from another provider indicate the medication is appropriate. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Write prescriptions and/or dispense heart worm prevention and flea and tick control medications and may send out fecal exam tests fo external labs, with the understanding that the owner must be instructed to follow up with their regular veterinarian in connection with any abnormal findings or results. | |
| Respondent must refer clients to another licensed veterinarian if resulis from anytests are posilive/abnormal. | |
| These practice restrictions shall remain in place for a minimum of ten (10) years. Respondent may petition the Board for modification annually. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services beyond those authorized under this Consent Agreement. | |
| Source: | Order 18056 (December 12, 2018) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(22) Medical Incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine for performing. diagnostics without medical justification indicating that Respondent lacked sufficient knowledge; inappropriate use of hydromorphone for pain control where the method of administration left large windows of pain present; and pain medication was not dispensed at discharge in or around August 21, 2017. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(18) for Violating the Board’s Order in Case Nos. 15-77 and 15-103 by extracting teeth and/or performing surgery during two anesthetic procedures involving a dog and a cat on December 18, 2017, and December 29, 2017, respectively, where the Board’s Order restricted Respondent from performing any and all surgeries indefinitely including soft tissue, orthopedic, and oral surgeries, including dental extractions. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(1) for failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures for not recognizing the dog's paresis on discharge on December 21, 2017, and again on December 22, 2017, when dropped off for euthanasia where medical records stated dog was ambulatory | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(8) for failing to provide copies of medical records within 10 days of the pet owners request | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(21) as it relatesto A.A.C. R3-11-502(F) for failure to obtain signed authorization from the pet owner before euthanasia was performed | |
| A.R.S, § 32-2232 (11} Gross incompetence; A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to R3-11-501 (3); | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine; and administrative violation of A.R.S. §°32-2233 (B) (3). | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (11) Malpractice, gross negligence and gross incompetence | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Euthanasia procedures that are not based upon his diagnosis but rather on a diagnosis made by another veterinarian or at an owner's request; | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Pre-vaccination examinations; vaccinations; blood draws related to heartworm, FIV/FeLV tests and other Snap tests that are performed in-house; microchipping; nail -trims; anal gland expressions; and providing/dispensing heartworm preventive care if appropriate testing had occurred and/or medical records from another provider indicate the medication is appropriate. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Write prescriptions and/or dispense heart worm prevention and flea and tick control medications and may send out fecal exam tests fo external labs, with the understanding that the owner must be instructed to follow up with their regular veterinarian in connection with any abnormal findings or results. | |
| Respondent must refer clients to another licensed veterinarian if resulis from anytests are posilive/abnormal. | |
| These practice restrictions shall remain in place for a minimum of ten (10) years. Respondent may petition the Board for modification annually. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services beyond those authorized under this Consent Agreement. | |
| Source: | Order 18057 (December 12, 2018) |
|---|---|
| Violations: | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(22) Medical Incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine for performing. diagnostics without medical justification indicating that Respondent lacked sufficient knowledge; inappropriate use of hydromorphone for pain control where the method of administration left large windows of pain present; and pain medication was not dispensed at discharge in or around August 21, 2017. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(18) for Violating the Board’s Order in Case Nos. 15-77 and 15-103 by extracting teeth and/or performing surgery during two anesthetic procedures involving a dog and a cat on December 18, 2017, and December 29, 2017, respectively, where the Board’s Order restricted Respondent from performing any and all surgeries indefinitely including soft tissue, orthopedic, and oral surgeries, including dental extractions. | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(1) for failure to provide professionally acceptable procedures for not recognizing the dog's paresis on discharge on December 21, 2017, and again on December 22, 2017, when dropped off for euthanasia where medical records stated dog was ambulatory | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(12) as it relates to A.A.C. R3-11-501(8) for failing to provide copies of medical records within 10 days of the pet owners request | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232(21) as it relatesto A.A.C. R3-11-502(F) for failure to obtain signed authorization from the pet owner before euthanasia was performed | |
| A.R.S, § 32-2232 (11} Gross incompetence; A.R.S. § 32-2232 (12) as it relates to R3-11-501 (3); | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine; and administrative violation of A.R.S. §°32-2233 (B) (3). | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (11) Malpractice, gross negligence and gross incompetence | |
| A.R.S. § 32-2232 (22) Medical incompetence in the practice of veterinary medicine. | |
| Penalties: | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Euthanasia procedures that are not based upon his diagnosis but rather on a diagnosis made by another veterinarian or at an owner's request; | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Pre-vaccination examinations; vaccinations; blood draws related to heartworm, FIV/FeLV tests and other Snap tests that are performed in-house; microchipping; nail -trims; anal gland expressions; and providing/dispensing heartworm preventive care if appropriate testing had occurred and/or medical records from another provider indicate the medication is appropriate. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services with the exception of the following: Write prescriptions and/or dispense heart worm prevention and flea and tick control medications and may send out fecal exam tests fo external labs, with the understanding that the owner must be instructed to follow up with their regular veterinarian in connection with any abnormal findings or results. | |
| Respondent must refer clients to another licensed veterinarian if resulis from anytests are posilive/abnormal. | |
| These practice restrictions shall remain in place for a minimum of ten (10) years. Respondent may petition the Board for modification annually. | |
| Respondent is prohibited from performing any veterinary services beyond those authorized under this Consent Agreement. | |
The primary source for the above summary was obtained as a public record from the Arizona State Veterinary Medical Examining Board. You are welcome to review the original records and board meeting minutes by clicking the relevant links. While we endeavor to provide an accurate summary of the complaint, response, investigative reports and board actions, we encourage you to review the primary sources and come to your own conclusions. In some cases we have also been able to reach out to individuals with knowledge of specific complaints, and where possible that information will be included here.