I made a mistake. In the move from Minnesota, where I had practiced for 21 years, to Arizona, I overlooked changing my Minnesota website.
Since the Arizona political practice environment is quite different than the progressive Minnesota environment, I should have retained an attorney versed in the nuances of the Arizona licensing board to review my old website. Major mistake.
A potential employee who we interviewed but did not hire chose to file a complaint against me with the Arizona licensing board. This complaint lacked merit and was not pursued. The Arizona licensing board does, however, go digging for anything else they can find as part of their process. My old Minnesota website came to light.
While my patients and colleagues from Minnesota loved the site, the Arizona licensing board did not. I forgot to eliminate “natural medicine specialist” which is acceptable in Minnesota, but not Arizona. I clearly identified myself as a Chiropractic Internist and Chiropractic Physician on the website home page. This was fine for Minnesota – not for Arizona. Arizona requires every page of the 60 page site to have Chiropractic Physician on it.
The website was construed as “could be misleading” because I referred to natural approaches to helping people who suffer with cancer. Clearly stating multiple times that I do not treat disease – cancer or any other – but rather treat the whole person to energize a natural healing response was not enough. I also referred to pancreatic digestive enzymes for people suffering with cancer. This was construed as “ offering to cure or treat a condition by a secret means, method device or instrumentality in his advertising”
I immediately closed down the Minnesota website (permanently) and fully cooperated with the Arizona licensing board.
Was the licensing board response appropriate? You decide.
Did I make a mistake failing to update a website – yes.
Do I have a record of 25 years plus of practice helping people free of any malpractice or patient complaints to either the Minnesota or Arizona licensing boards – yes
Do I have a commendation from the Minnesota Licensing Board for 21 years of exemplary service to the profession, public and board? – yes
For more information on Dr. Timothy Gerhart and his practice, visit us at www.renovareclinic.com
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