CIS Office of Media Relations and Communications

Press Releases for August 2001Contact: Maura Campbell, 517.373.9280

For Immediate Release August 23, 2001 
 
 

Kalamazoo Veterinarian's License Suspended

(LANSING) -- The Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS), has taken action today against Kalamazoo veterinarian Steven J. Ginsberg D.V.M.. due to allegations of negligence and substandard care. 

 The Michigan Board of Veterinary Medicine 
 Disciplinary Subcommittee met in Lansing today and 
 accepted disciplinary action outlined in a proposed 
 Consent Order. The disciplinary action against Dr. 
 Ginsberg includes the following: 

 · A license suspension for 30 days commencing on Oct. 1, 2001; 

 · Two (2) years probation; 

 · Quarterly meetings with a Board of Veterinary Medicine member to 
   review   Dr. Ginsberg's professional practice; 

 · Continuing education addressing issues of patient management; 

 · Continuing education classes offered at Michigan Veterinarian Association
   annual meetings; 

 · Attending all regularly scheduled meetings of the local Veterinarian 
   Association; 

 · Provide a copy of his annual controlled substance inventory; 

 · Pay a $2,000 fine to the State of Michigan within 90 days.
 
 

   An investigation into Dr. Ginsberg's practice found: 

1. Unlawful Delegation - Dr. Ginsberg delegated numerous tasks within the
    scope of the practice of veterinary medicine to unlicensed individuals. 

2. Clinic Hygiene - Dr. Ginsberg failed to: wear surgical gloves or masks
    during surgical procedures; sterilize surgical and dental instruments 
    between procedures; sterilize needles and syringes after injections; and 
    sterilize surgical tables following procedures. He also reused surgical 
    drapes following surgery. 

3. Declawing Cats - Dr. Ginsberg used super glue as part of his procedure to 
    declaw cats. 

4. Controlled Substance/Drug Storage - Dr. Ginsberg maintained expired 
    drugs and medication, which were dispensed to animals; failed to store 
    drugs securely; and failed to maintain controlled substance records related
    to the purchase, dispensing, and annual inventory; 

5. Timely Euthanization - Dr. Ginsberg delayed in euthanizing animals on a 
    number of occasions.

More information about disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards is available on the CIS website: http://www.cis.state.mi.us/bhser. Consumers can also verify health professionals' licenses by visiting: www.michigan.gov and clicking on the Family, Health & Safety icon. 

http://www.commerce.state.mi.us/

State of Michigan
Department of Consumer & Industry Services
525 W. Ottawa, P.O. Box 30004
Lansing, MI 48909
(517) 373-1820
Updated: September 01, 2001
http://www.commerce.state.mi.us/disclaim.htm