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As Arambula Trial Continues, What About His Medical License?
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By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
April 29, 2019

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Jury selection starts Tuesday (April 30) in the child abuse trial of Assemblyman Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno).
The jury will decide his fate of guilt or innocence. Politics will decide his future as an assemblyman.
His future as a doctor could be decided by the Medical Board of California.
A conviction would not automatically affect Arambula’s status as a physician. But, he could face a range of discipline from a letter of reprimand to the loss of his license.

Medical Board Review Process

Arambula is licensed through 2020, according to his medical board profile.
If the board took action on Arambula, it would need to prove his conviction would impede his ability to practice medicine.


“A crime like this most likely would be considered by the medical board to have a relation to the qualifications of being a doctor because it involves, in theory, the abuse of a child.”Attorney Jeff Kravitz
The board investigates complaints that generally fall under six categories — substandard care, prescribing issues, sexual misconduct, impairment, unlicensed practice, record keeping issues and unprofessional conduct.
Arrests and convictions fall under the latter category.
“When a physician is convicted of a crime, the Board has to obtain court documents and any other relevant documents pertaining to the case in order to prove that the conviction is substantially related to the qualifications, functions, and duties of a physician,” board spokesman Carlos Villatoro said.
Whether a child abuse conviction is “substantially related” to a doctor’s qualifications can be an open-ended question. However, the leader of the local medical advocacy group says that the case should be scrutinized.
“If there is something a doctor is doing incorrectly, they are not above the law. It should be reviewed by the medical board,” said Nicole Butler, executive director of the Fresno Madera Medical Society.

License Defense Attorney Says Discipline Possible

Jeff Kravitz is a Sacramento-based attorney who specializes in defending medical licenses. He is not involved in the Arambula case. He said Arambula’s case could impact him professionally.
“A crime like this most likely would be considered by the medical board to have a relation to the qualifications of being a doctor because it involves, in theory, the abuse of a child,” Kravtiz said.
Kravitz said the matter could play out in a number of ways.
“It’s quite possible there will be no discipline of his license. It is possible the discipline will be low. It is possible his license could be put on probation,” Kravitz said. He also says a revocation is an option.
He notes that a doctor is required to report convictions to the medical board.

Lengthy Medical Board Process

Even if the board pursues a complaint, the investigation can take time.
Villatoro said that if the medical board believes it has a case, it will be turned over to the Attorney General’s office for review.
“As with any process, it takes time to investigate cases, even those where the individual has been convicted of a crime,” Villatoro said. “Each case is different, but they all require the board to prove its case by clear and convincing evidence. Each case must be thoroughly investigated to meet this high standard of proof.”
Butler agrees.
“The medical board is sometimes slow. If this comes to a verdict, it could take years through the medical board system,” she said.

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David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

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