In an unprecedented emergency measure, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners has suspended the medical license of Dr. Hisbay Ali, a psychiatrist based in Las Vegas. This action was taken due to conduct that jeopardizes public health and safety.

The summary suspension order, issued in early October, accuses Dr. Ali of serious professional and legal infractions. According to the board, Ali engaged in a sexual relationship with one patient and unlawfully prescribed a controlled substance to another. Additionally, he failed to report two significant arrests: a domestic violence charge from 2022 and a DUI arrest following a single-car accident in April of this year.

The board’s investigative committee concluded that allowing Ali to continue practicing would pose “an imminent or continued risk of harm” to the public, according to the Oct. 11 order.

“This type of emergency suspension is rare,” said Sarah Bradley, deputy executive director of the medical board. “We’ve got to have basically an emergency situation where if this person keeps practicing, we don’t think they can be safe.”

Ali’s attorney, Richard A. Schonfeld, defended his client, emphasizing that the suspension was issued without a formal hearing. “Dr. Ali intends to address the allegations at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum,” Schonfeld stated in an email to the Review-Journal.

The suspension order outlines the disturbing details of Ali’s alleged misconduct. It claims that in March 2022, Ali initiated a sexual relationship with a patient following a series of inappropriate text messages meant to seduce her. When the patient tried to end the relationship, Ali reportedly sent her multiple threatening messages and even appeared at her home with letters and flowers despite her repeated pleas for him to stop. The patient eventually threatened to involve law enforcement.

The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners will hold a status hearing today to discuss the case. After the meeting, a hearing officer will recommend further action to the investigative committee.

Dr. Ali, 43, who was licensed by the board in 2020, now faces an uncertain future as the board continues investigating the allegations.

Source: Review Journal