California Medical Board Seeks to Take Action Against Surgeon
San Francisco transplant surgeon Dr. Hootan Roozrokh is being accused by the California Medical Board of administering large quantities of pain medicine to a prospective organ donor. The allegations stem from the death of 25-year-old Ruben Navarro who was going to have his organs donated upon death. Under state law, a transplant physician cannot be in the operating room of a potential donor until that donor is pronounced dead. The state board complaint further alleges Dr. Roozrokh was "actively monitoring the patient's vital signs for a determination of death."
In addition to the actions taken by the California Medical Board, Dr. Roozrokh’s also faces criminal charges in San Luis Obispo for felony dependent adult abuse in the death of Mr. Navarro. If convicted at trial, Dr. Roozrokh could be sentenced to prison.
