SCOTTSDALE — A Tucson doctor has failed in his bid to save his medical license.
In a unanimous decision Wednesday, the Arizona Medical Board refused to reconsider its decision to revoke the license of Dr. John V. Dommisse, who has operated a Foothills medical practice for 14 years.
The board announced in August that it planned to revoke Dommisse's license Sept. 13, saying the doctor incorrectly diagnosed and treated several patients. Dommisse appealed that decision and requested a rehearing.
He was allowed to continue practicing medicine until Wednesday, pending the board's decision. The board's refusal to grant him another hearing means the revocation of his license will be effective this week, likely today.
"I can't believe that with everything I said they could go ahead with it," Dommisse said after the board's decision. "They are going to close down a practice that has done no harm to patients."
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He told the board he has done "amazing healing work of previously incurable ailments," and that instead of having his license yanked he should be recognized for outstanding achievement in patient care.
A state review of Dommisse's patient records revealed "multiple concerns," including improper interpretation of laboratory tests, inappropriately diagnosed thyroiditis and treatment of medical conditions without performing a physical examination.
The board's report says that by not conducting physical examinations, Dommisse placed patients at increased risk for misdiagnosis and faulty treatment.
Dommisse, the report says, acknowledged that he does not perform or document complete physical examinations of his patients. He practices "telemedicine," often consulting with patients by telephone. He orders blood tests, interprets the results and is able to diagnose over the phone, he said.
Dommisse, who calls himself a "nutritional physician," has a practice called Nutritional, Metabolic & Psychiatric Medicine at 1840 E. River Road. It focuses on treating ailments through nutritional blood-level adjustments.
One of Dommisse's patients, John Utseth, 69, defended his doctor to the board, saying Dommisse successfully treated him for crippling depression.
Utseth, an Oro Valley retiree, said he had tried everything, including shock treatments and anti-depressants, and that Dommisse was able to help him by identifying and treating a vitamin B12 deficiency.
Dommisse maintains he's being punished by a medical culture that overprescribes rather than looking for alternatives.
He said he had consistent success treating patients with chronic illness.
Dommisse earned his medical degree from the University of Cape Town in South Africa in 1965.
