An Orlando-based cardiologist will have his California medical license revoked following an investigation into alleged sexual misconduct, according to a report of the probe\u2019s findings published last month by the state\u2019s medical board.<\/p>\n
The decision to revoke Samer Kabbani\u2019s license comes nearly two years after a complaint was filed on behalf of a woman who accused him of inappropriately touching her breasts \u201cunder the pretense of examining her heart,\u201d the 16-page report found.<\/p>\n
His California license is to be revoked effective Dec. 1, though the discipline usually called for is \u201cat least seven years\u2019 probation for a physician who has committed sexual misconduct,\u201d according to the report.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this case, however,\u201d the report continued, \u201c[Kabbani] has no plans to practice in California in the future, and denies that sexual misconduct even occurred. Revocation of his California physician\u2019s and surgeon\u2019s certificate is appropriate to protect public welfare.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman, a caregiver of one of Kabbani\u2019s patients, said the incident took place on a Sunday afternoon in September 2020, when she was invited to Kabbani\u2019s office to troubleshoot a device that checks a patient\u2019s blood pressure. She said he purported to conduct a manual blood pressure check, which the report said should have been conducted using a manual cuff while placing \u201cthe diaphragm of the stethoscope against the inner elbow of the same arm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Instead, the woman alleged, he put the stethoscope on her breast by \u201creaching inside her shirt.\u201d Kabbani then said he suspected she had a heart murmur and told her she needed an electrocardiogram to investigate it. However, the report continued, he did not place the electrodes \u201cin appropriate locations for an effective diagnostic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman said she disconnected herself from the electrodes after Kabbani reportedly made remarks \u201ccomplimenting\u201d her figure and attempted to kiss her before she left.<\/p>\n
Kabbani, who was not charged with a crime, denied wrongdoing to the medical board, and he did not immediately respond to a message from the Orlando Sentinel seeking comment. Records show he began practicing in 1991 and was licensed by the Medical Board of California in 2001. His Florida license, issued in 2012, is due to expire in January.<\/p>\n
Supportive colleagues and former staffers were cited in the report as giving glowing reviews of Kabbani\u2019s work. One medical assistant testified that he \u201calways took patients\u2019 modesty seriously, asking permission to touch them and removing clothing or examinations gowns as little as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Kabbani described his encounter with the caregiver differently, telling the board that the only time they touched was \u201cincidental contact that occurred while she practiced measuring his blood pressure.\u201d He further said they had a \u201cshort and cordial discussion about her interest in attending nursing school\u201d before directing her to the exit.<\/p>\n
The medical board deemed his account not credible, but the report does not say what made his recollection of events unbelievable. Questions to the medical board received no response by the time of publication.<\/p>\n
The Florida Department of Health did not respond to questions about protocols addressing doctors accused of misconduct while licensed out of state.<\/p>\n