SC Doctor May Lose Calif. License Because of Nev. Disciplinary Ruling

Dr. Kevin Ray Buckwalter, listed with a San Clemente address in state records, faces the prospect of losing his California license to practice medicine, according to state medical board filings.

The California State Medical Board filed a complaint against Buckwalter on Jan. 9, aiming to have his license revoked or suspended. California law says any doctor who has been disciplined or had a license revoked by another state or by the federal government can also have his or her license revoked in California, according to the complaint.

In November 2008, Buckwalter’s license to prescribe controlled substances in Nevada was summarily suspended. According to the California complaint, the Nevada Board of Medical Examiners office found Buckwalter did not have justification for certain prescriptions, kept inadequate patient records concerning dosages, and that these actions contributed to the death of one patient.

The order by the Nevada board cited Buckwalter for excessive prescribing of Alprazolam, Oxycontin and Kadian to different patients, "severely lacking" record keeping, and starting therapy at the maximum allowable dosage.

After further proceedings in the matter, however, the suspension was lifted and his license was restored by the Nevada board in August 2011 pending a formal hearing. According to the California complaint, in a subsequent settlement agreement, the Nevada board found that Buckwalter failed to maintain accurate and complete medical records for three patients, but dismissed all other counts alleged. The Nevada board also issued a public reprimand, and required Buckwalter to pay $100,000 for the costs of investigation and prosecution.

The original Nevada board action followed an investigation by the Las Vegas Sun that uncovered a series of deaths of Buckwalter patients.

Buckwalter's California license is "renewed and current" with an expiration date of Sept. 30, according to the state medical board filing.

It's unclear whether Buckwalter actively practiced medicine in San Clemente. The address listed on his California medical license is residential, not commercial.

Buckwalter did not return calls seeking comment.

Calls and emails to three attorneys who have represented Buckwalter in various lawsuits were not returned.