sen.floydprozanski@state.or.us,
rep.paulholvey@state.or.us
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Letter to Representative
Hello Julianna & Senator Prozanski,
Thank you for taking the time to get back with me, and for sharing what the OBME wrote in their letter.
However, I'm already well aware of the Board's alleged claims against my father, both from this current situation as well as the prior situation in 1995. It's good that you're willing to hear the Board's side of things. Part of investigating a matter is to hear both sides of it. Now my question for Senator Prozanski's office is, are you willing to hear the other side and take 10 minutes to talk with my father and/or his lawyer?
Here is their contact information:
Attorney William Wheatley
http://www.jaquawheatley.com/
Office 541.686.8485
Fax 541.343.0701
Dr. Gambee's office: 541.998.0111
Cell: 541.521.9426,
His wife's cell 541.521.9427
The Board has stripped my father of the means to work and to support his family (He has already raised 12 children, and recently adopted 3 more, all of junior high age of younger). Then they delayed his hearing for 7 months, despite their claim of an "emergency suspension". I'm sure he can find 10-15 minutes that he would be more than willing to give you so you could hear the other side. The OBME is a State Agency, and therefore under the direct supervision of the State Legislature. If we are unable to appeal to your office, who are we to appeal to?
The last time this happened, the State Legislature told the Board to "leave Dr. Gambee alone and stop the witch-hunt." Those are the State Legislature's words, not mine or Dr. Gambees. This law was put in place specifically because of the Board's treatment of Dr. Gambee. However, the Board is now thumbing their collective noses at the State Legislature and completely ignoring Oregon State law put in place after the episode in the mid-90's.
Why? Because no one is holding them accountable or responsible, so they continue to do what they've always done.
You see Mr. Senator, what the Board does is to say to a Doctor, "Agree to this or we will revoke/suspend your license." It isn't a matter of discussion.
As you're probably aware, most of the time in the medical world, Doctors do not always agree on a treatment for a particular malady, disease, etc. Ask anyone with Lupus, depression, arthritis, prostate cancer, etc. This is a positive thing and leads to innovation and new discoveries in all fields of medicine.
My father's case has NEVER been an issue on ethics, substance abuse, sexual abuse, etc.
If it had been any of these, he would still be practicing because the Board is quite lenient with Doctors guilty of these offenses.
I would be more than happy to give you actual examples if needed.
It has always been about a difference of opinion on how to treat. My father's approach has always been
substantiated by medical literature....just not literature the board members are willing to objectively review.
(such as the New England Journal of Medicine) The board order of 2009 was not violated. The board did a sloppy, incompetent, slanderous review of the charts submitted.
Even if their review had been accurate, he was still in compliance with the amended Medical Practice Act (1995) and it's definition of an "Alternative Medical " practice ORS 677.190(A).
The board has ignored this change in the law. There are several doctors in the state who agree with what he has done. The board has never accused Dr. Gambee of harming anyone, nor has there ever been a patient complaint of being harmed in over 30 years of practicing medicine in Oregon.
The board then did a "No Notice" review of Dr. Gambee's charts in July. (which he had to agree to in order to continue practicing). Based on this review, they issued an emergency suspension....the ALLEGED violations were as follows:
1. Failing to do a blood test for thyroid. This is not true, tests were done and documented, and readily available to see on his charts.
2. "Failure to do a prostate exam"....FALSE!
In both cases, the chart notes clearly document that a prostate exam HAD been done in June 2010.
It is interesting that the investigation regarding testosterone therapy began in 2008 based on an investigation instigated by a former chairman of the board of med examiners. That doc complained to the board because he knows little or nothing about current medical literature regarding testosterone therapy.
In 2008, a board consultant told the board that Dr. Gambee was "grossly negligent." Yet, the board did nothing at that time. The board did not contact Dr. Gambee or ask him anything about this charge of negligence and he has not had an opportunity to review this consultation. And now all of a sudden, 2 years later it is an emergency? So, while awaiting the hearing based on the Complaint of May 2010, he received an "Emergency Suspension."
The hearing is scheduled for Dec 13, 2010, which is SEVEN MONTHS after receiving the complaint,
and after being out of work for 3 months now, unable to support his family. The Board is well aware of this, and has delayed this with the intention of bankrupting my father.
The board's definition of "Due Process" is as follows:
1. My father can hire a lawyer, with no means to pay for one since he is unable to work.
2. The Board will decide who can be subpoenaed.
3. The Board will decide who can attend the Hearing, and who can't.
3. Dr. Gambee cannot question the doctors that made the complaint. They recently informed Dr. Gambee that the person who made this latest complaint would not be allowed to be deposed!
4. If it's like the hearing of 1994, the board expert will have little or no knowledge about the issue (ozone therapy in 1994). and if the board does not like the outcome of the hearing they can simply ignore the Judge's decision.
Mr. Senator, how is this "due process"?
The Board has free reign to act as Judge, Jury and Executioner because our State Legislature will not
hold them accountable! Enough is enough. Is this what the State of Oregon has turned into?
You have taken the time to contact the Board on this matter. Now, as our elected official, we are respectfully requesting you to contact Dr. Gambee and/or his lawyer for 10 minutes to get the other side of the story.
How else can you make a proper assessment of whether or not a wrong has been committed?
The Board is supposed to answer to someone. That someone is the State Legislature.
Please do your job and hold them accountable.
Sincerely,
Dr. Seth Gambee
808-557-1763
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
docgambee@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to get back with me, and for sharing what the OBME wrote in their letter.
However, I'm already well aware of the Board's alleged claims against my father, both from this current situation as well as the prior situation in 1995. It's good that you're willing to hear the Board's side of things. Part of investigating a matter is to hear both sides of it. Now my question for Senator Prozanski's office is, are you willing to hear the other side and take 10 minutes to talk with my father and/or his lawyer?
Here is their contact information:
Attorney William Wheatley
http://www.jaquawheatley.com/
Office 541.686.8485
Fax 541.343.0701
Dr. Gambee's office: 541.998.0111
Cell: 541.521.9426,
His wife's cell 541.521.9427
The Board has stripped my father of the means to work and to support his family (He has already raised 12 children, and recently adopted 3 more, all of junior high age of younger). Then they delayed his hearing for 7 months, despite their claim of an "emergency suspension". I'm sure he can find 10-15 minutes that he would be more than willing to give you so you could hear the other side. The OBME is a State Agency, and therefore under the direct supervision of the State Legislature. If we are unable to appeal to your office, who are we to appeal to?
The last time this happened, the State Legislature told the Board to "leave Dr. Gambee alone and stop the witch-hunt." Those are the State Legislature's words, not mine or Dr. Gambees. This law was put in place specifically because of the Board's treatment of Dr. Gambee. However, the Board is now thumbing their collective noses at the State Legislature and completely ignoring Oregon State law put in place after the episode in the mid-90's.
Why? Because no one is holding them accountable or responsible, so they continue to do what they've always done.
You see Mr. Senator, what the Board does is to say to a Doctor, "Agree to this or we will revoke/suspend your license." It isn't a matter of discussion.
As you're probably aware, most of the time in the medical world, Doctors do not always agree on a treatment for a particular malady, disease, etc. Ask anyone with Lupus, depression, arthritis, prostate cancer, etc. This is a positive thing and leads to innovation and new discoveries in all fields of medicine.
My father's case has NEVER been an issue on ethics, substance abuse, sexual abuse, etc.
If it had been any of these, he would still be practicing because the Board is quite lenient with Doctors guilty of these offenses.
I would be more than happy to give you actual examples if needed.
It has always been about a difference of opinion on how to treat. My father's approach has always been
substantiated by medical literature....just not literature the board members are willing to objectively review.
(such as the New England Journal of Medicine) The board order of 2009 was not violated. The board did a sloppy, incompetent, slanderous review of the charts submitted.
Even if their review had been accurate, he was still in compliance with the amended Medical Practice Act (1995) and it's definition of an "Alternative Medical " practice ORS 677.190(A).
The board has ignored this change in the law. There are several doctors in the state who agree with what he has done. The board has never accused Dr. Gambee of harming anyone, nor has there ever been a patient complaint of being harmed in over 30 years of practicing medicine in Oregon.
The board then did a "No Notice" review of Dr. Gambee's charts in July. (which he had to agree to in order to continue practicing). Based on this review, they issued an emergency suspension....the ALLEGED violations were as follows:
1. Failing to do a blood test for thyroid. This is not true, tests were done and documented, and readily available to see on his charts.
2. "Failure to do a prostate exam"....FALSE!
In both cases, the chart notes clearly document that a prostate exam HAD been done in June 2010.
It is interesting that the investigation regarding testosterone therapy began in 2008 based on an investigation instigated by a former chairman of the board of med examiners. That doc complained to the board because he knows little or nothing about current medical literature regarding testosterone therapy.
In 2008, a board consultant told the board that Dr. Gambee was "grossly negligent." Yet, the board did nothing at that time. The board did not contact Dr. Gambee or ask him anything about this charge of negligence and he has not had an opportunity to review this consultation. And now all of a sudden, 2 years later it is an emergency? So, while awaiting the hearing based on the Complaint of May 2010, he received an "Emergency Suspension."
The hearing is scheduled for Dec 13, 2010, which is SEVEN MONTHS after receiving the complaint,
and after being out of work for 3 months now, unable to support his family. The Board is well aware of this, and has delayed this with the intention of bankrupting my father.
The board's definition of "Due Process" is as follows:
1. My father can hire a lawyer, with no means to pay for one since he is unable to work.
2. The Board will decide who can be subpoenaed.
3. The Board will decide who can attend the Hearing, and who can't.
3. Dr. Gambee cannot question the doctors that made the complaint. They recently informed Dr. Gambee that the person who made this latest complaint would not be allowed to be deposed!
4. If it's like the hearing of 1994, the board expert will have little or no knowledge about the issue (ozone therapy in 1994). and if the board does not like the outcome of the hearing they can simply ignore the Judge's decision.
Mr. Senator, how is this "due process"?
The Board has free reign to act as Judge, Jury and Executioner because our State Legislature will not
hold them accountable! Enough is enough. Is this what the State of Oregon has turned into?
You have taken the time to contact the Board on this matter. Now, as our elected official, we are respectfully requesting you to contact Dr. Gambee and/or his lawyer for 10 minutes to get the other side of the story.
How else can you make a proper assessment of whether or not a wrong has been committed?
The Board is supposed to answer to someone. That someone is the State Legislature.
Please do your job and hold them accountable.
Sincerely,
Dr. Seth Gambee
808-557-1763
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
docgambee@gmail.com
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Draft Complaint against Oregon Medical Board
Mr. Wheatly filed draft complaint (see Google Document link below) on September 15th. He is asking for a jury trial. Mr. Wheatly said that by taking it to this venue he will be able to take depositions and have access to much more information.
Going against the Oregon Medical Board is no small feat. It is very incredible to read blatant lies in their complaint against Dr. Gambee. One example is saying that a patient never had blood tests taken, when in the very chart specified there were 10 lab reports in the last 8 years showing the patient did have blood tests taken for the method in question. Blatant lies and disregard for honestly.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1qg2huW2MtW2WxsL3ezBm7vWuwf0BTZyfT3TLDMhzEcsq8qKD6qKW4qw2ymY0&hl=en&authkey=CMzt9_EG
Going against the Oregon Medical Board is no small feat. It is very incredible to read blatant lies in their complaint against Dr. Gambee. One example is saying that a patient never had blood tests taken, when in the very chart specified there were 10 lab reports in the last 8 years showing the patient did have blood tests taken for the method in question. Blatant lies and disregard for honestly.
https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=1qg2huW2MtW2WxsL3ezBm7vWuwf0BTZyfT3TLDMhzEcsq8qKD6qKW4qw2ymY0&hl=en&authkey=CMzt9_EG
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
MEDICAL BOARD LIES, INCOMPETENCE - OR BOTH?
9.23.10
IS IT MEDICAL BOARD LIES, INCOMPETENCE - OR BOTH?
The Oregon Board of Medical Examiner's (OBME) filed an erroneous, misleading and deceptive complaint against Dr. Gambee in May of 2010. Dr. Gambee asked for a hearing. His hearing request was ignored for over three months, and then on 9/7/10, he learned that on 9/2/10, the OBME, via a fax, had closed his practice using an Emergency Suspension Order, but the fax did not include the actual order. The order did not arrive for almost another week. By using an Emergency Suspension, the OBME suggests that Dr. Gambee is a danger to the public. On 9/16/10 attorney William Wheatley filed a complaint against the Board members in Federal Court. On 9/20/10, the OBME ammended its complaint from May, but it did not ammend its action against Dr. Gambee. This ammended complaint contains the specifics of the basis for the Emergency Suspension. After three weeks of being unemployed, without an explanation, Dr. Gambee finally received the specific basis for his Suspension.
This is an abbreviated response from Dr. Gambee to the Board's complaints.
Regarding Thyroid Treatment:
1. The OBME's Complaint stated, “Licensee has failed to comply with the terms of the Interim Stipulted Order (ISO), to include continuing to treat patients with thyroid medication who have TSH levels that do not exceed the levels specified by the ISO.”
Dr. Gambee's Comment: Regarding continuing to treat patients with thyroid who have normal blood tests - It is a basic, fundamental, tenet of medicine that when you treat a condition and reach your objective, whether it is normal blood pressure, the elimination of depression, relief of joint pain, etc., that you then continue to treat the condition. Treatment is not automatically stopped as the OBME suggests. The dose of medication may be adjusted, reduced, or perhaps eventually stopped, but often the medication is continued. One exception to this would be in a case of infection, where antibiotics are used for a limited period of time. Another is an acute situation where meds are used for brief periods and then discontinued, such as acute asthma or colitis. The conditions of the ISO are to maintain a TSH between 0.3 and 3.0. That is what the charts reviewed by the OBME and its staff indicate that he has done.
Re Treating patients with testosterone :
1. The OBME's Complaint stated, "by treating patients with testosterone who do not have abnormal testosterone levels”
Dr. Gambee's Comment: The ISO dictates that Dr. Gambee follow the guidelines
established by an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. The therapeutic goals specified in that article are “high normal levels” of testosterone. Nowhere in the article is it stated that testosterone levels must be abnormal before initiating or continuing treatment. Most of what the article recommends is to base the determination of appropriate levels of testosterone on the history and clinical response of the patient.
2. The OBME's Complaint stated, "and by failing to conduct or document a recent rectal prostate exam.”
Dr. Gambee' Comment: This statement is egregious. In both of the charts reviewed by the Board in July of 2010, it was clearly noted that the rectal prostate exam had been done in June of 2010! The official who reviewed these charts is shamefully incompetent or prejudiced against and vindictive towards me – or both.
The above fictional and mislseading “violations” in the Board order were used to justify an Emergency Suspension of Dr. Gambee's medical practice. Emergency Suspensions are usually reserved for when there is an immediate threat to the public, such as when a physician is found operating under the influence, cutting off a wrong limb, or molesting patients.
A Hearing on both the “Complaint” and the "Emergency Suspension Order" has now been set for December 13, 2010. This will be over six months since Dr. Gambee received the complaint in May of 2010 and requested a hearing. In addition, it will be over three months after his license to practice was suspended.
The Board's actions disregard the intent of the 1995 state legislature, when a bill was passed to allow alternative medical choices. The amendment to ORS 677.190 reads:
(A) "Alternative medical treatment" means:
(i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration;
(ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board; and
(iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
(B) "Alternative medical treatment" does not include use by a physician of controlled substances in the treatment of a person for chemical dependency resulting from the use of controlled substances.
IS IT MEDICAL BOARD LIES, INCOMPETENCE - OR BOTH?
The Oregon Board of Medical Examiner's (OBME) filed an erroneous, misleading and deceptive complaint against Dr. Gambee in May of 2010. Dr. Gambee asked for a hearing. His hearing request was ignored for over three months, and then on 9/7/10, he learned that on 9/2/10, the OBME, via a fax, had closed his practice using an Emergency Suspension Order, but the fax did not include the actual order. The order did not arrive for almost another week. By using an Emergency Suspension, the OBME suggests that Dr. Gambee is a danger to the public. On 9/16/10 attorney William Wheatley filed a complaint against the Board members in Federal Court. On 9/20/10, the OBME ammended its complaint from May, but it did not ammend its action against Dr. Gambee. This ammended complaint contains the specifics of the basis for the Emergency Suspension. After three weeks of being unemployed, without an explanation, Dr. Gambee finally received the specific basis for his Suspension.
This is an abbreviated response from Dr. Gambee to the Board's complaints.
Regarding Thyroid Treatment:
1. The OBME's Complaint stated, “Licensee has failed to comply with the terms of the Interim Stipulted Order (ISO), to include continuing to treat patients with thyroid medication who have TSH levels that do not exceed the levels specified by the ISO.”
Dr. Gambee's Comment: Regarding continuing to treat patients with thyroid who have normal blood tests - It is a basic, fundamental, tenet of medicine that when you treat a condition and reach your objective, whether it is normal blood pressure, the elimination of depression, relief of joint pain, etc., that you then continue to treat the condition. Treatment is not automatically stopped as the OBME suggests. The dose of medication may be adjusted, reduced, or perhaps eventually stopped, but often the medication is continued. One exception to this would be in a case of infection, where antibiotics are used for a limited period of time. Another is an acute situation where meds are used for brief periods and then discontinued, such as acute asthma or colitis. The conditions of the ISO are to maintain a TSH between 0.3 and 3.0. That is what the charts reviewed by the OBME and its staff indicate that he has done.
Re Treating patients with testosterone :
1. The OBME's Complaint stated, "by treating patients with testosterone who do not have abnormal testosterone levels”
Dr. Gambee's Comment: The ISO dictates that Dr. Gambee follow the guidelines
established by an article in the New England Journal of Medicine. The therapeutic goals specified in that article are “high normal levels” of testosterone. Nowhere in the article is it stated that testosterone levels must be abnormal before initiating or continuing treatment. Most of what the article recommends is to base the determination of appropriate levels of testosterone on the history and clinical response of the patient.
2. The OBME's Complaint stated, "and by failing to conduct or document a recent rectal prostate exam.”
Dr. Gambee' Comment: This statement is egregious. In both of the charts reviewed by the Board in July of 2010, it was clearly noted that the rectal prostate exam had been done in June of 2010! The official who reviewed these charts is shamefully incompetent or prejudiced against and vindictive towards me – or both.
The above fictional and mislseading “violations” in the Board order were used to justify an Emergency Suspension of Dr. Gambee's medical practice. Emergency Suspensions are usually reserved for when there is an immediate threat to the public, such as when a physician is found operating under the influence, cutting off a wrong limb, or molesting patients.
A Hearing on both the “Complaint” and the "Emergency Suspension Order" has now been set for December 13, 2010. This will be over six months since Dr. Gambee received the complaint in May of 2010 and requested a hearing. In addition, it will be over three months after his license to practice was suspended.
The Board's actions disregard the intent of the 1995 state legislature, when a bill was passed to allow alternative medical choices. The amendment to ORS 677.190 reads:
(A) "Alternative medical treatment" means:
(i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration;
(ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Oregon Medical Board; and
(iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
(B) "Alternative medical treatment" does not include use by a physician of controlled substances in the treatment of a person for chemical dependency resulting from the use of controlled substances.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Letters to Representatives and Senators
rep.saragelser@state.or.us>; <sen.frankmorse@state.or.us>
Subject: Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
We are contacting you on behalf of Dr. John Gambee who (without a hearing) on September 7th had his license to practice medicine suspended by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners.
Because the legislature appoints and oversees the members of the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners I appeal to you.
Dr. Gambee has had NO complaint of harm, yet this surprise suspension suggests to the public that his practicing medicine presented an immediate danger to his patients and their health.
The medical board is blatantly ignoring the intent of the 1995 legislature, which passed the Alternative Medical Bill clearly mandating that the board stop its biased persecution of alternative medicine
This is a 25 year, state-agency witch hunt against Dr. Gambee. The medical board has shown no interest in the medical literature Dr. Gambee has submitted backing his medical approach, neither has it considered the many, many petitions of Dr. Gambee’s patients.
Unchecked and with unlimited funding, this board is again on a rampage to destroy Dr. Gambee’s practice and more importantly to disallow medical choice when it veers from the beaten path.
As two of your constituents, we petition you to make the OBME follow the law and revoke the suspension of Dr. Gambee’s license. If the board will not drop their alleged charges and blatant lies against Dr. Gambee, they need, at the minimum, to allow Dr. Gambee and his attorney William Wheatley the benefit of a hearing.
Sincerely,
Sean & Marty Manning
**************************************
Dear Representative Hoyle,
I am writing today with urgency. Despite passage of the Alternative Medicine Act of 1995, the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners has once again maliciously and baselessly attacked the character and practice of John E. Gambee M.D. They have done so falsely and with unsubstantiated accusations. In revoking Dr. Gambee's license, their complaint is full of lies and misrepresentation of the facts. They have showed personal animosity and had a personal vendetta (especially Kathleen Haley) for years and once again their malfeasance is proving costly, not only to Dr. Gambee, but his large patient base who will have no where to turn for alternatives to the expensive and often unproductive options of trial-and-error based pharmacology and surgery.
Oregon State Law 677.190 states, "The use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct". In Oregon, alternative medicine is defined as (i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
The OBME has once again shown blatant disregard for the law and shown that it is not afraid to deceive or defame in order to accomplish its agenda. They have stripped him of his right to practice as well as thousands of his patients' right to seek alternative care and have done so not only illegally, but recklessly. No board or patient complaint of any sort of harm has been brought up. Dr. Gambee's methods have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are practiced widely and with positive results by many M.D.s across the country, have been written about by well-known physicians and researched by successful PhDs. The facts have been ignored by the Director Kathleen Haley and the Board once again. This kind of reckless corruption and depravity needs to be stopped.
Even in my short training as a third year medical student at Midwestern University, I have personally seen what happens when there is no Alternative Medicine. This is not good for patients, it is not good for medicine, and is not good for the State of Oregon.
After researching the information, please put the medical board back into its proper role. Stop them from terrorizing Dr. Gambee. Replace those responsible. Allow the law, where applicable, to administer consequences to those who have wronged someone in so many ways. More information can be obtained at http://www.drgambee.com/ where you can find links to the boards complaint and Dr Gambee's attorney's subsequent complaint against the board. There is also a personal video of Dr. Gambee, 2 minutes long, which explains his concerns.
I hope that the following would be a result of your involvement in this matter:
1. He be granted an expeditd hearing w/in reasonable time
2. The board members responsible be held accountable and punished if guilty of breaking the law or misconduct
3. Dr. Gambee be allowed to practice in the interim between now and the hearing
Please be in contact with me regarding your thoughts and actions.
Thank you
Carden Gambee
3rd year medical student
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
RESPONSE TO CARDEN
-----Original Message-----
From: Rep Hoyle [mailto:rep.valhoyle@state.or.us]
Sent: Fri 9/24/2010 12:52 PM
To: Gambee, Carden-AZ AZCOM 12
Subject: RE: OBME deceit and corruption
Dear Carden,
Thank you for taking the time to write to Representative Hoyle and for sharing your concerns with us. I am reviewing the information you have provided and researching the situation regarding Dr. Gambee. If I need more information from you regarding this case, I will let you know. Otherwise, I will contact you once I know more about the circumstances surrounding this case.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write to us.
Regards,
Courtney Johnston
Legislative Aide
Representative Val Hoyle
Oregon House District 14
West Eugene, Junction City, Cheshire and Alvadore
Capitol Office:
900 Court Street NE, H-283
Salem OR, 97301
Capitol Phone: (503) 986-1414
Email: rep.valhoyle@state.or.us
CARDEN'S RESPONSE
Courtney,
I appreciate your response. The Board has used its power to propagate falsehoods and misconceptions without fear of reprise for years. They instigated an "emergency suspension" which in essence says that Dr. Gambee is a danger to the public and are not allowing him to work during this time. Just these accusations alone do unbelievable damage to a reputation and a practice. Dr. Gambee was not provided a reason for the "emergency suspension" and had to demand one from the board. Their response was to give a reason that was based on a complete lie. They basically said that he did not do something that is clearly documented to have been done. In the meantime, aside from suffering irreparable damage to a practice of 30+ years, Dr. Gambee has had to cancel many weeks worth of appointments and refuse to see patients who are looking for help. While the board's false accusations and injustices have caused incredible damage for many, many years, the board goes on with its business untouched and unscathed.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Dr. Gambee and/or his lawyer, Bill Wheatley, would be more than happy to provide you with any information needed. Dr. Gambee's office phone number is 541-998-0111 or 541-998-0112.
Carden Gambee
******************************************
Dear Congressmen,
I am writing you today with an urgent plea. The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, especially director Kathleen Haley, have had personal vendettas against Dr. John Gambee and his medical practice. Despite passage in 1995 of the Alternative medicine act which stated that, "the use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct..."
Oregon defines medical treatment quite broadly:
(i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
Dr Gambee has had abolutely ZERO patient or BME (board of medical examiners) complaint of causing any harm to a patient
In their suspension they state, among other falsehoods, that he has disregarded scientific merits, been grossly negligent, exposed patients to harm, and failed to utilize appropriate testing.
The board, acting so unjustly, has AGAIN stripped other citizens (including myself) of our rights to seek out competent medical care and advice from a caring and highly competent caregiver.
As those elected responsible to protect the citizenry's rights, I implore you as legislators to inquire, investigate, and invoke justice for Dr Gambee's patients and for the good doctor himself (and his family).
Again, NO HARM HAS BEEN EVER DONE TO ANY PATIENT. Why the board is acting out again in such an egregious manner is incomprehensible.
After researching the information, please put the medical board back into its proper role. Stop them from terrorizing Dr. Gambee. Replace those responsible. Allow the law, where applicable, to administer consequences to those who have wronged someone in so many ways.
More information can be obtained at http://www.drgambee.com/
there are links to the boards complaint and dr Gambee's attorney's subsequent complaint against the board. There is also a personal video of Dr. Gambee, 2 minutes long, which explains his concerns.
I hope that the following would be a result of your involvement in this matter:
1. He be granted an expeditd hearing w/in reasonable time
2. The board members responsible be held accountable and punished if guilty of breaking the law or misconduct
3. Dr. Gambee be allowed to practice in the interim between now and the hearing
Please be in contact with me regarding your thoughts and actions
Thank you
Luke and Meghann Gambee
3710 Plumtree Dr. Eugene OR 97402
541.515.6846 home
480.636.7474 cell
*************************************************
24 September 2010
Dear Governor Ted Kulongoski and State Legislators of Oregon,
I am writing, somewhat despairingly, about the repeated, unjust treatment of Dr. John E. Gambee, MD PC, by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners (OBME). It is disgusting story of jealousy, hypocrisy and illegal behavior by this group of appointed ‘professionals’ who have been trying desperately for 30 years to find a reason to put Dr Gambee out of practice.
Dr. Gambee has had no patient complaints for treatment he has given. Nor has the Board demonstrated any harm done. His ‘crime’ boils down to (in my educated* opinion) other doctors and insurance companies being out money from expensive, excessive and often harmful procedures because Dr. Gambee’s 2nd opinion has educated and empowered his patients to take active roles in improving their health without those procedures. Dr. Gambee gave up a lucrative surgical practice many years ago because he believes the power of the individual is what liberates us from illness. He does not ‘play God’ but educates himself continually so that he can then pass this knowledge on to his very grateful patients.
In 1994, the same people occupying the unaccountable positions of the OBME as today, revoked his license. Again, it was not based on any malpractice, abuse/molestation, neglect, or any dangerous charges. He has gone through this, rebuilt his practice, complied with Board’s demands and still they refuse the citizens of Oregon and this country the right to the doctor of their choice.
This must stop. You must stop this misuse of power. The board cannot be voted out, but you can replace them, or be voted out. The board seems to think they are not obligated to follow the law. Oregon’s state law 677.190 states,
"The use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct". In Oregon, alternative medicine is defined as (i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
The Board has failed to follow the process of law, not Dr. Gambee. The Board is not allowing a hearing, to either prove or allow Dr. Gambee to disprove their claims, and they failed to give him copy of the “Order of Emergency Suspension.” They strip him of his livelihood with no notice, and a means of financing a defense, intentionally destroying his practice, again.
Dr. Gambee should without question be allowed to practice until the claims against him have been heard, proven in a hearing held within a reasonable amount of time, AND take immediate investigation into actions/motivation of the Board members motives for breaking the law in their dealings with Dr. Gambee.
Sincerely,
Jared and Courtenay Ellison
Post Falls, ID 83854
208-262-9318
****************************************
Senator Prozanski,
My name is Seth Gambee.
I'm the eldest son of Dr. John Gambee, of Junction City, OR. I'm writing in behalf of my father who
has been faithfully serving and treating the people of Oregon since 1979.
I know you've already received emails/letters from my family, and that you're aware of what's going on
so there's no need to give you the background beyond what's already been said.
I'm writing simply to urge you to make sure that justice is served. What happened (again) to my father
is not right. The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners knows it's not right, too, but they're doing it (again) anyway.
Is the Board and it's members not subject to due process? Are they going to be permitted to
make malicious, completely unfounded accusations and then ignore the laws of our country
by not allowing my father his due process?
Are they going to be allowed to strip someone of his livelihood without cause, affecting not just my father,
my mother and my 3 brothers and sisters still at home, but the thousands of patients who depend on him?
Are our representatives, and those whom allegedly oversee the Board, going to turn their heads
and allow the Board to continue this type of reckless, lawless, discriminatory behavior?
Senator, you know as well as I do that times are already difficult in our communities and our country.
We both know how important it is that the people have trust and faith in those who represent and serve them.
What kind of message does this send to those you represent? My father, because of the good that he's done
over the past 30+ years in Oregon, is well known. Right now there are tens of thousands of people in your
stewardship are seeing that people in authority, like the Medical Board, can simply do whatever they want,
to whomever they want, without any fear of consequences.
Is that the message that you want your constituents to get from this? I'm sure that it's not.
The people of the State of Oregon need to know that our representatives haven't forgotten who they represent.
The people of Oregon deserve to know that those in authority who abuse their powers will be held accountable
just like anyone else would be.
The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners is no different. Despite what they think and how the act, they are not above the law.
What they have done is wrong, and they need to be held accountable.
We need you, and anyone else who has the responsibility of oversight in this matter, to do the right thing.
I'm asking you to make sure that justice is served, and if wrongs have been committed, people need to be held accountable.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your attention to this matter,
Respectfully yours,
Seth Gambee
75-6132 Lea Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
808-557-1763
docgambee@gmail.com
Subject: Oregon Board of Medical Examiners
We are contacting you on behalf of Dr. John Gambee who (without a hearing) on September 7th had his license to practice medicine suspended by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners.
Because the legislature appoints and oversees the members of the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners I appeal to you.
Dr. Gambee has had NO complaint of harm, yet this surprise suspension suggests to the public that his practicing medicine presented an immediate danger to his patients and their health.
The medical board is blatantly ignoring the intent of the 1995 legislature, which passed the Alternative Medical Bill clearly mandating that the board stop its biased persecution of alternative medicine
This is a 25 year, state-agency witch hunt against Dr. Gambee. The medical board has shown no interest in the medical literature Dr. Gambee has submitted backing his medical approach, neither has it considered the many, many petitions of Dr. Gambee’s patients.
Unchecked and with unlimited funding, this board is again on a rampage to destroy Dr. Gambee’s practice and more importantly to disallow medical choice when it veers from the beaten path.
As two of your constituents, we petition you to make the OBME follow the law and revoke the suspension of Dr. Gambee’s license. If the board will not drop their alleged charges and blatant lies against Dr. Gambee, they need, at the minimum, to allow Dr. Gambee and his attorney William Wheatley the benefit of a hearing.
Sincerely,
Sean & Marty Manning
**************************************
Dear Representative Hoyle,
I am writing today with urgency. Despite passage of the Alternative Medicine Act of 1995, the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners has once again maliciously and baselessly attacked the character and practice of John E. Gambee M.D. They have done so falsely and with unsubstantiated accusations. In revoking Dr. Gambee's license, their complaint is full of lies and misrepresentation of the facts. They have showed personal animosity and had a personal vendetta (especially Kathleen Haley) for years and once again their malfeasance is proving costly, not only to Dr. Gambee, but his large patient base who will have no where to turn for alternatives to the expensive and often unproductive options of trial-and-error based pharmacology and surgery.
Oregon State Law 677.190 states, "The use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct". In Oregon, alternative medicine is defined as (i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
The OBME has once again shown blatant disregard for the law and shown that it is not afraid to deceive or defame in order to accomplish its agenda. They have stripped him of his right to practice as well as thousands of his patients' right to seek alternative care and have done so not only illegally, but recklessly. No board or patient complaint of any sort of harm has been brought up. Dr. Gambee's methods have been published in the New England Journal of Medicine, are practiced widely and with positive results by many M.D.s across the country, have been written about by well-known physicians and researched by successful PhDs. The facts have been ignored by the Director Kathleen Haley and the Board once again. This kind of reckless corruption and depravity needs to be stopped.
Even in my short training as a third year medical student at Midwestern University, I have personally seen what happens when there is no Alternative Medicine. This is not good for patients, it is not good for medicine, and is not good for the State of Oregon.
After researching the information, please put the medical board back into its proper role. Stop them from terrorizing Dr. Gambee. Replace those responsible. Allow the law, where applicable, to administer consequences to those who have wronged someone in so many ways. More information can be obtained at http://www.drgambee.com/ where you can find links to the boards complaint and Dr Gambee's attorney's subsequent complaint against the board. There is also a personal video of Dr. Gambee, 2 minutes long, which explains his concerns.
I hope that the following would be a result of your involvement in this matter:
1. He be granted an expeditd hearing w/in reasonable time
2. The board members responsible be held accountable and punished if guilty of breaking the law or misconduct
3. Dr. Gambee be allowed to practice in the interim between now and the hearing
Please be in contact with me regarding your thoughts and actions.
Thank you
Carden Gambee
3rd year medical student
Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine
RESPONSE TO CARDEN
-----Original Message-----
From: Rep Hoyle [mailto:rep.valhoyle@state.or.us]
Sent: Fri 9/24/2010 12:52 PM
To: Gambee, Carden-AZ AZCOM 12
Subject: RE: OBME deceit and corruption
Dear Carden,
Thank you for taking the time to write to Representative Hoyle and for sharing your concerns with us. I am reviewing the information you have provided and researching the situation regarding Dr. Gambee. If I need more information from you regarding this case, I will let you know. Otherwise, I will contact you once I know more about the circumstances surrounding this case.
Again, thank you for taking the time to write to us.
Regards,
Courtney Johnston
Legislative Aide
Representative Val Hoyle
Oregon House District 14
West Eugene, Junction City, Cheshire and Alvadore
Capitol Office:
900 Court Street NE, H-283
Salem OR, 97301
Capitol Phone: (503) 986-1414
Email: rep.valhoyle@state.or.us
CARDEN'S RESPONSE
Courtney,
I appreciate your response. The Board has used its power to propagate falsehoods and misconceptions without fear of reprise for years. They instigated an "emergency suspension" which in essence says that Dr. Gambee is a danger to the public and are not allowing him to work during this time. Just these accusations alone do unbelievable damage to a reputation and a practice. Dr. Gambee was not provided a reason for the "emergency suspension" and had to demand one from the board. Their response was to give a reason that was based on a complete lie. They basically said that he did not do something that is clearly documented to have been done. In the meantime, aside from suffering irreparable damage to a practice of 30+ years, Dr. Gambee has had to cancel many weeks worth of appointments and refuse to see patients who are looking for help. While the board's false accusations and injustices have caused incredible damage for many, many years, the board goes on with its business untouched and unscathed.
Thank you for your attention to these matters.
Dr. Gambee and/or his lawyer, Bill Wheatley, would be more than happy to provide you with any information needed. Dr. Gambee's office phone number is 541-998-0111 or 541-998-0112.
Carden Gambee
******************************************
Dear Congressmen,
I am writing you today with an urgent plea. The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners, especially director Kathleen Haley, have had personal vendettas against Dr. John Gambee and his medical practice. Despite passage in 1995 of the Alternative medicine act which stated that, "the use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct..."
Oregon defines medical treatment quite broadly:
(i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
Dr Gambee has had abolutely ZERO patient or BME (board of medical examiners) complaint of causing any harm to a patient
In their suspension they state, among other falsehoods, that he has disregarded scientific merits, been grossly negligent, exposed patients to harm, and failed to utilize appropriate testing.
The board, acting so unjustly, has AGAIN stripped other citizens (including myself) of our rights to seek out competent medical care and advice from a caring and highly competent caregiver.
As those elected responsible to protect the citizenry's rights, I implore you as legislators to inquire, investigate, and invoke justice for Dr Gambee's patients and for the good doctor himself (and his family).
Again, NO HARM HAS BEEN EVER DONE TO ANY PATIENT. Why the board is acting out again in such an egregious manner is incomprehensible.
After researching the information, please put the medical board back into its proper role. Stop them from terrorizing Dr. Gambee. Replace those responsible. Allow the law, where applicable, to administer consequences to those who have wronged someone in so many ways.
More information can be obtained at http://www.drgambee.com/
there are links to the boards complaint and dr Gambee's attorney's subsequent complaint against the board. There is also a personal video of Dr. Gambee, 2 minutes long, which explains his concerns.
I hope that the following would be a result of your involvement in this matter:
1. He be granted an expeditd hearing w/in reasonable time
2. The board members responsible be held accountable and punished if guilty of breaking the law or misconduct
3. Dr. Gambee be allowed to practice in the interim between now and the hearing
Please be in contact with me regarding your thoughts and actions
Thank you
Luke and Meghann Gambee
3710 Plumtree Dr. Eugene OR 97402
541.515.6846 home
480.636.7474 cell
*************************************************
24 September 2010
Dear Governor Ted Kulongoski and State Legislators of Oregon,
I am writing, somewhat despairingly, about the repeated, unjust treatment of Dr. John E. Gambee, MD PC, by the Oregon Board of Medical Examiners (OBME). It is disgusting story of jealousy, hypocrisy and illegal behavior by this group of appointed ‘professionals’ who have been trying desperately for 30 years to find a reason to put Dr Gambee out of practice.
Dr. Gambee has had no patient complaints for treatment he has given. Nor has the Board demonstrated any harm done. His ‘crime’ boils down to (in my educated* opinion) other doctors and insurance companies being out money from expensive, excessive and often harmful procedures because Dr. Gambee’s 2nd opinion has educated and empowered his patients to take active roles in improving their health without those procedures. Dr. Gambee gave up a lucrative surgical practice many years ago because he believes the power of the individual is what liberates us from illness. He does not ‘play God’ but educates himself continually so that he can then pass this knowledge on to his very grateful patients.
In 1994, the same people occupying the unaccountable positions of the OBME as today, revoked his license. Again, it was not based on any malpractice, abuse/molestation, neglect, or any dangerous charges. He has gone through this, rebuilt his practice, complied with Board’s demands and still they refuse the citizens of Oregon and this country the right to the doctor of their choice.
This must stop. You must stop this misuse of power. The board cannot be voted out, but you can replace them, or be voted out. The board seems to think they are not obligated to follow the law. Oregon’s state law 677.190 states,
"The use of an alternative medical treatment shall not by itself constitute unprofessional conduct". In Oregon, alternative medicine is defined as (i) A treatment that the treating physician, based on the physician's professional experience, has an objective basis to believe has a reasonable probability for effectiveness in its intended use even if the treatment is outside recognized scientific guidelines, is unproven, is no longer used as a generally recognized or standard treatment or lacks the approval of the United States Food and Drug Administration; (ii) A treatment that is supported for specific usages or outcomes by at least one other physician licensed by the Board of Medical Examiners; and (iii) A treatment that poses no greater risk to a patient than the generally recognized or standard treatment.
The Board has failed to follow the process of law, not Dr. Gambee. The Board is not allowing a hearing, to either prove or allow Dr. Gambee to disprove their claims, and they failed to give him copy of the “Order of Emergency Suspension.” They strip him of his livelihood with no notice, and a means of financing a defense, intentionally destroying his practice, again.
Dr. Gambee should without question be allowed to practice until the claims against him have been heard, proven in a hearing held within a reasonable amount of time, AND take immediate investigation into actions/motivation of the Board members motives for breaking the law in their dealings with Dr. Gambee.
Sincerely,
Jared and Courtenay Ellison
Post Falls, ID 83854
208-262-9318
****************************************
Senator Prozanski,
My name is Seth Gambee.
I'm the eldest son of Dr. John Gambee, of Junction City, OR. I'm writing in behalf of my father who
has been faithfully serving and treating the people of Oregon since 1979.
I know you've already received emails/letters from my family, and that you're aware of what's going on
so there's no need to give you the background beyond what's already been said.
I'm writing simply to urge you to make sure that justice is served. What happened (again) to my father
is not right. The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners knows it's not right, too, but they're doing it (again) anyway.
Is the Board and it's members not subject to due process? Are they going to be permitted to
make malicious, completely unfounded accusations and then ignore the laws of our country
by not allowing my father his due process?
Are they going to be allowed to strip someone of his livelihood without cause, affecting not just my father,
my mother and my 3 brothers and sisters still at home, but the thousands of patients who depend on him?
Are our representatives, and those whom allegedly oversee the Board, going to turn their heads
and allow the Board to continue this type of reckless, lawless, discriminatory behavior?
Senator, you know as well as I do that times are already difficult in our communities and our country.
We both know how important it is that the people have trust and faith in those who represent and serve them.
What kind of message does this send to those you represent? My father, because of the good that he's done
over the past 30+ years in Oregon, is well known. Right now there are tens of thousands of people in your
stewardship are seeing that people in authority, like the Medical Board, can simply do whatever they want,
to whomever they want, without any fear of consequences.
Is that the message that you want your constituents to get from this? I'm sure that it's not.
The people of the State of Oregon need to know that our representatives haven't forgotten who they represent.
The people of Oregon deserve to know that those in authority who abuse their powers will be held accountable
just like anyone else would be.
The Oregon Board of Medical Examiners is no different. Despite what they think and how the act, they are not above the law.
What they have done is wrong, and they need to be held accountable.
We need you, and anyone else who has the responsibility of oversight in this matter, to do the right thing.
I'm asking you to make sure that justice is served, and if wrongs have been committed, people need to be held accountable.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your attention to this matter,
Respectfully yours,
Seth Gambee
75-6132 Lea Place
Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
808-557-1763
docgambee@gmail.com
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
License Suspended
In the campaign to close the practice of Dr. Gambee, after thirty years
of practicing, the Medical Board suspended Dr. Gambee’s licence to
practice. After the board filed a complaint against Dr. Gambee in
June, for prescribing thyroid & testosterone, Dr. Gambee requested a
Contested Case Hearing. Rather that proceeding to the hearing the
board, in a surprise move, suspended Dr. Gambee’s license.
The Board has not demonstrated that any harm had been done, nor had a
patient complained of being harmed. In fact, the only complaint came
from a 23 year old patient that Dr. Gambee felt would be healthier if
she took thyroid, rather than antidepressants, sleeping pills and oral
contraceptives.
Dr. Gambee’s attorney is working to get a stay of this suspension until
there can be a hearing.
This is typical of efforts of regulatory boards, suspend the enemy and
wear them down through attrition. Take away their income, force them
to hire an attorney, and soon they will force to quit. This happened
previously to Dr. Gambee in 1993.
of practicing, the Medical Board suspended Dr. Gambee’s licence to
practice. After the board filed a complaint against Dr. Gambee in
June, for prescribing thyroid & testosterone, Dr. Gambee requested a
Contested Case Hearing. Rather that proceeding to the hearing the
board, in a surprise move, suspended Dr. Gambee’s license.
The Board has not demonstrated that any harm had been done, nor had a
patient complained of being harmed. In fact, the only complaint came
from a 23 year old patient that Dr. Gambee felt would be healthier if
she took thyroid, rather than antidepressants, sleeping pills and oral
contraceptives.
Dr. Gambee’s attorney is working to get a stay of this suspension until
there can be a hearing.
This is typical of efforts of regulatory boards, suspend the enemy and
wear them down through attrition. Take away their income, force them
to hire an attorney, and soon they will force to quit. This happened
previously to Dr. Gambee in 1993.
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