Medical Board Orders Psychiatrist Michael Tolwin to Cease Treating Patients

March 13, 2019

On March 8, 2019, the Medical Board of California issued a Cease Practice Order on Culver City, California psychiatrist Michael H. Tolwin of Tolwin Psychiatric Medical Group.

The Board’s Order states that based on a December 14, 2018 Decision issued by the Board, Dr. Tolwin’s medical license was revoked, revocation was stayed and he was placed on three years’ probation with terms and conditions.

This outcome is based on Dr. Tolwin’s agreement that, if brought before a hearing, the Board would be able to prove allegations that are contained in its October 25, 2017 Accusation, which provides details on three patients for which Dr. Tolwin’s treatment department from the standard of care in the following ways:

• Failure to conduct good faith evaluations of the patients

• Failure to provide the patients with informed consent relative to the treatment

• Failure to maintain accurate and complete patient records

• Continuing to prescribe controlled substances to a patient despite the patient’s known drug-seeking behaviors and patient’s and others’ reports that the patient was an addict

The terms and conditions of the Board’s December 14, 2018 probation Order included obtaining a practice monitor within 60 days of the Order, which Dr. Tolwin failed to do, hence the Cease Practice Order.

Fourteen percent of convictions of psychiatrists and psychologists are for drug-related violations.

Source: Cease Practice Order, March 8, 2019; Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, September 18, 2018; and Accusation, October 25, 2017, in the Matter of the Accusation Against Michael Hirsch Tolwin, M.D., Physician's and Surgeon's Certificate G 48816, Case No. 800-2014-009168, California Medical Board.