Opening statements underway in Medical Board hearing for ‘Octomom’ doctor

The fertility doctor who treated octuplets mother Nadya Suleman "deliberately" ignored standard medical practices and should have his medical license revoked, Deputy Atty. Gen. Judith Alvarado said in opening statements Monday morning.

The Medical Board of California has accused Dr. Michael Kamrava of gross negligence related to Suleman's case as well as a second case of a 48-year-old woman who became pregnant with quadruplets.

Alvarado described Kamrava as a doctor whose practice "was littered with multiple extreme and simple departures from the standard of care for an [in vitro fertilization] specialist."

"This is not a situation of not knowing better, but rather of deliberately ignoring the stanadrds of care," Alvarado said. "He chose to engage in an unsafe pattern of practice that spanned over a number of years," she said, arguing the doctor transferred "an excessive number of embryos" and ignored screening guidelines.

Kamrava's attorney, Henry Fenton, described his client in opening statements as a "respected physician and surgeon" who is "still friendly" with Suleman and the other patient included in the complaint.

"Dr. Kamrava at all times was very concerned with his patients," Fenton said.

He said that as a result of the cases included in the complaint, "particularly the one that has gotten worldwide publicity," the doctor "does adhere strictly to the guidelines" for in vitro fertilization.

Kamrava has already been expelled from the American Society of Reproductive Medicine for a pattern of behavior detrimental to the industry. He continues to practice in Beverly Hills.

-- Molly Hennessy-Fiske

Photo: Dr. Michael Kamrava appears before the Medical Board of California. Credit: Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Fred]

I'm sure that the good doc will pick up the tab for Suleman and the other woman to ensure that he did not burden the taxpayers

[Rafa]

This guy is a modern day Dr. Frankenstein, and for his role in the Octomom case, as well as a consitent pattern of behavior detrimental to the industry, he should be stripped of his license and compelled to support the litter of children he implanted in his monster!

[Peanut Santiago]

This is just unbelievable. The doctor and his willing human lab rat Octo are a couple of sickos.

[Lee]

He did what she wanted and he did not harm her. Unlike the "respected" fertility doctors who overdosed me on fertility meds, failed to monitor treatment and give proper care, lied about the bungled treatment, allowed a massive growth to mushroom inside my uterus, decimated my uterus, nearly decimated an ovary, caused hospitalization and surgery and years of recovery, then harassed me for payment and destroyed my lifelong excellent credit. This is a hideous field of medicine and more patient rights are needed.

[bob olouie]

In this overpopulated world, why can't people accept that not everyone should be given children. This is an area that medicine should leave alone and focus on helping those that are already here. If people can't conceive, they should adopt.