PRESS RELEASE
IOWA BOARD OF MEDICINE
(October 27, 2021)
Recently, the Iowa Board of Medicine took the following action:
Dennis E. Colby, D.O., a 66-year-old Iowa-licensed physician who formerly practiced family medicine in Belmond, Iowa, had a Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order issued by the Iowa Board on September 30, 2021. On January 9, 2021, Dr. Colby entered into a Stipulation and Order for Voluntary Surrender of his Minnesota medical license with the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice (Minnesota Board). The Minnesota Board had concerns with Dr. Colby’s patient care, documentation, and prescribing practices. On March 11, 2021, the Iowa Board filed a Statement of Charges against Dr. Colby alleging that he was disciplined by the licensing authority of another state in violation of the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa. A contested case hearing was held before the Iowa Board on July 23, 2021. Under the terms of the September 30, 2021, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, Decision and Order, the Iowa Board determined that the action taken by the Minnesota Board constitutes disciplinary action under the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa. The Iowa Board issued Dr. Colby a Citation and Warning and ordered him to pay a $2,500 civil penalty. The Iowa Board also prohibited Dr. Colby from prescribing or administering controlled substances under his Iowa medical license. This practice restriction shall continue until further order of the Board, but shall not be lifted until or unless Dr. Colby fully addresses and remediates the deficiencies in his level of knowledge and skill as outlined in his CPEP evaluation report. Dr. Colby shall cooperate with the Board and CPEP to develop an appropriate training program. The Iowa Board also placed Dr. Colby on probation for a period of three years subject to Board monitoring.
Alexandar Jovanovich, M.D., a 39-year-old Iowa-licensed physician who practices family medicine in Chicago, Illinois, and telehealth in many states, had a Termination Order issued by the Board on October 21, 2021. On August 28, 2020, Dr. Jovanovich entered into a combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement with the Board. The Board alleged that Dr. Jovanovich violated the standards of practice for telemedicine in Iowa when he failed to establish a valid physician-patient relationship with patients receiving telemedicine services in Iowa; failed to perform interviews of his patients sufficient for the diagnosis and treatment of patients in Iowa prior to providing medical treatment, including issuing prescriptions; and prescribed medications to patients in Iowa based solely on an internet questionnaire. Dr. Jovanovich denied the Board’s allegations of wrongdoing and denied any breach of the Iowa Code or the Board’s administrative rules. Under the terms of the August 28, 2020, combined Statement of Charges and Settlement Agreement, the Board issued Dr. Jovanovich a Citation and Warning and ordered him to a pay a $5,000 civil penalty. The Board also ordered Dr. Jovanovich to take corrective action to address the deficiencies in his telemedicine practice identified by the Board to the satisfaction of the Board including establishing an adaptive, interactive, and responsive online interview for diagnosis and treatment. At a minimum, the interview must also provide for a live interaction between the prescribing licensee and patient, which may take place via videoconferencing and the patient has the opportunity to ask questions of the licensee in real-time. On October 21, 2021, the Board determined that Dr. Jovanovich successfully completed the terms of his Board Order and voted to issue a Termination Order. Under the terms of the October 21, 2021, Termination Order, the terms of Dr. Jovanovich’s Board Order are terminated and his Iowa medical license is returned to its full privileges, free and clear of all restrictions.
Mary Pat Rosman, D.O., a 65-year-old Iowa-licensed physician who formerly practiced family medicine in Sibley, Iowa, had an Amended Order issued by the Board on October 21, 2021. On December 20, 2019, the Board filed a Statement of Charges alleging Dr. Rosman violated the laws and rules governing the practice of medicine in Iowa when she improperly managed medical records while practicing medicine. On March 26, 2020, Dr. Rosman entered into a Settlement Agreement with the Board. Under the terms of the March 26, 2020, Settlement Agreement, the Board issued Dr. Rosman a Citation and Warning and placed her on probation for a period of five years subject to Board monitoring. The Board also prohibited Dr. Rosman from prescribing administering or dispensing controlled substances for the treatment of chronic pain under her Iowa medical license. Dr. Rosman was required to successfully complete a Board-approved chronic pain management program. The Board also prohibited Dr. Rosman from engaging in the practice of telemedicine and from engaging in the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease. Finally, the Board limited Dr. Rosman’s medical practice to locations approved by the Board and Dr. Rosman may not practice medicine in any other location unless she receives prior written approval of the Board. On October 21, 2021, the Board voted to issue an Amended Order terminating the provision prohibiting Dr. Rosman from prescribing administering or dispensing controlled substances for the treatment of chronic pain under her Iowa medical license. All other provisions contained in the March 26, 2020, Settlement Agreement remain in effect.
When appropriate, disciplinary actions are reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, an electronic repository administered by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration to track adverse license actions.
CONSUMER COMPLAINTS: Consumers can submit complaints against physicians at https://medicalboard.iowa.gov/consumers/filing-complaint, by calling (515) 281-5847 or mail to 400 SW 8th Street, Suite C, Des Moines, IA 50309.
To view these actions, please visit our Find a Physician page at the link below:
https://eservices.iowa.gov/PublicPortal/Iowa/IBM/licenseQuery/LicenseQuery.jsp?Profession=Physician
