An Orlando surgeon with alcohol issues kept practicing when told to stop, state says
An Orlando doctor who periodically abused alcohol continued to practice — even after he was declared unsafe by an addiction specialist doctor and ordered to stop by a state monitoring organization, the Florida Department of Health said.
That’s just one reason that Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees dropped an emergency restriction order, or ERO, last week on the license of Dr. Donald Botta — who is board certified in thoracic surgery.
He can’t practice until the Professionals Resource Network (PRN) — the state agency that monitors and tests doctors dealing with substance abuse — tells the Department of Health that it’s safe to do so.
Then again, the ERO said, the state agency is the same organization that Botta ignored in 2020 when he kept practicing after being told to stop.
Botta didn’t answer the Miami Herald’s email to his Florida Department of Health-listed address, asking for comment on the ERO action or its statements.
Too much testosterone and wine?
According to the ERO:
After Botta fainted at a public function on Oct. 22, 2019, his staff asked him to be evaluated by PRN. Less than two months later on Dec. 4, addiction specialist Dr. Jeremy Mirabile diagnosed him with “moderate alcohol use disorder and alcohol-induced depressive disorder.”
Mirabile found Botta unsafe at any speed when it comes to practicing medicine. He recommended partial inpatient rehabilitation and PRN monitoring as well as dumping testosterone therapy and oxycodone use.
Botta started treatment at Orlando’s Recovery Keys that month and finished in March, 2020.
“During treatment, Dr. Botta admitted to consuming an average of one to two bottles of wine per night,” the ERO states. “Dr. Botta stated that his excessive consumption of alcohol resulted in marital issues.”
Practicing, practicing, practicing
Medical professionals sign monitoring contracts with PRN. Botta signed a five-year deal that included random toxicology tests. And, in June, his test results indicated “repeated binge drinking.”
Botta denied it and went through a PRN-ordered evaluation with Dr. Derek Robben, who suggested that he return to a partial inpatient treatment program. He also was of the opinion Botta still wasn’t safe for patient care.
“PRN required Dr. Botta refrain from practice,” the ERO said.
Botta wanted to get a second opinion other than Robben’s, but never made the appointment and “admitted to PRN that he had not refrained from practice.
“PRN requested Dr. Botta voluntarily withdraw from practice, but Dr. Botta failed to comply.”
When he didn’t submit a drug screen and failed a toxicology screen, PRN terminated Botta’s monitoring contract in September. But, his license remained intact.
Denials with hand sanitizer
In February, the Department of Health ordered Botta to see a third addiction medicine specialist, Dr. Lawrence Wilson. Botta told Wilson he hadn’t had a drink since Jan. 9, 2020.
But, his test results were, the ERO said, “indicative of heavy drinking within the three weeks preceding the specimen collection.
“Dr. Botta attempted to attribute his positive tests to using alcohol-based hand sanitizer in conjunction with protective personal equipment while working.”
Wilson thought that failed the scientific smell test. When he spoke to contacts provided by Botta, they said they thought he was staying sober and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. The ERO also noted Botta admitted to Wilson that he didn’t go to meetings.
Wilson’s evaluation differed little from previous ones: “moderate-to-severe alcohol use disorder and unspecified depressive disorder” and “unable to practice medicine with reasonable skill and safety to patients.”
Wilson recommended inpatient or partial hospitalization rehabilitation, “followed by an intensive outpatient program,” Vivotrol therapy, a mental health assessment and PRN monitoring.
When Botta did none of the above, the state dropped the ERO on the license he’s held since 2011.
This story was originally published May 7, 2021 at 7:00 AM with the headline "An Orlando surgeon with alcohol issues kept practicing when told to stop, state says."
