At its meeting on Nov. 20, 2015, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS) Board of Directors approved the recommendations of the Professional Conduct Committee to discipline two members for unprofessional conduct while serving as expert witnesses in medical malpractice lawsuits. Neither member filed a general membership appeal.
The disciplinary actions include:
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- Francisco J. Espinosa Becerra, II, MD, FAANS — Censure. The board concluded that Dr. Espinosa of Westchester, Ill., did not identify as such certain personal opinions that varied significantly from generally accepted neurosurgical practice when he testified during a discovery deposition in violation of Section A.3 of the AANS Rules for Neurosurgical Medical/Legal Expert Opinion Services.
- James M. Vascik, MD — One-year suspension. The board determined that Dr. Vascik of Roanoke, Va., did not accurately represent the full range of practice behavior of a prudent neurological surgeon or acknowledge differing viewpoints in violation of Section A.2 of the AANS Rules for Neurosurgical Medical/Legal Expert Opinion Services when he provided certain deposition and trial testimony. The board also determined that Dr. Vascik violated Section B.1 by having insufficient knowledge of the standard of care of a general internist to testify as an expert on that subject.
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