Louisiana Medical Board Suspends Psychiatrist Ray Worthy for Improper Prescribing; Patient Died

December 2, 2024

On July 24, 2023, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners indefinitely suspended the license of New Orleans psychiatrist Ray Worthy, due to improper prescribing practices and the death of a patient from a drug overdose.

The Board initiated an investigation upon receipt of information that Worthy improperly prescribed controlled dangerous substances (CDS) to Patient KE, who had a known history of substance abuse, and the patient subsequently died from an overdose. In the course of the investigation, the investigating officer confirmed that Worthy prescribed patient KE large quantities of CDS in August and September 2021 without performing a urine drug screen and, further, did not cancel these prescriptions despite later being informed by patient KE's family that he was diverting the prescribed CDS to purchase illicit substances.

This conduct was particularly concerning to the Board, considering that, only a few months prior to the prescriptions at issue, the Investigating Officer counseled Worthy about the importance of performing urine drug screens and accessing and reviewing the prescription monitoring program (“PMP”) when treating patients with a known history of substance abuse to ensure they are not diverting the prescribed substances.

The investigation further revealed that Worthy’s improper prescribing practices were not limited to one patient, as a review of the patient’s medical records from additional patients revealed that, between April 2022 and August 2022, Worthy improperly prescribed ketamine to two patients for home use contrary to the Board's advisory opinion regarding the off-label use of ketamine to treat mental health disorders.

Source: Interim Consent Order in the Matter of Ray Bonner Worthy, M.D., credential no. MD.205358, Case no. 2022-I-043, Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, July 7, 2023.

Go to News

Go to News Archive

Comments

Kitten

2025-03-16 18:55:32

He was an awesome Psychiatrist that saved my life. Ever since I lost him I have continued to struggle on a daily basis without his care. It%u2019s so wrong to continue to punish these doctors for the mistakes of non-compliant patients. Laws need to change

Susan Landry

2025-05-15 07:49:03

Why am I not surprised to see this happen to Dr Worthy Dr Worthy is one of the most caring compassionate and understanding doctors he can relate to addiction even though he's never had addiction himself He believes in a not so conventional way of treating patients through harm reduction which is fine because it works for a lot of people You can't blame the doctor for trusting and believing addicts to not lie to him I find it hard to believe he gave ketamone to take home I was in the jet am ne study and Dr Worthy was not breaking any laws by prescribing people meds. they would otherwise get on the street This is truly sad for such an educated man to bring new %uD83E%uDDEC get into a much old fashion way to recovery I wish you the best Dr Worthy and may may all this behind you really soon hopefully when you get your license back you'll recognize the people that are not in recovery for recovery and they're in it for just whatever they can do to take a doctor down if you ask me hopefully you'll be able to pick those people out more carefully because you saved my life from River oaks to Prytania St

FYI

2025-10-11 22:57:10

Dr. Worthy is the best doctor I've ever had. He saved my life too. I also have struggled almost daily since his practice was abruptly closed. Trying to help the opioid crisis by taking the best, most caring doctor with amazing accomplishments -head of River Oaks, a groundbreaker in progressive treatments- by taking him away from the many patients who need him? So you have any idea how many people you destabilized in doing this? I'm not surprised. He can't possibly be responsible for what an adult patient illegally does with their own prescriptions. I know if you were missing appointments, not actively getting better, he would drop you as a patient immediately. I read through the judgement and I don't understand how he could be blamed. Everyone there is voluntary, so there is no court ordered mandate to test patients every month. No place does test every month or at all. I'm disgusted reading this. He is just the nicest most genuine person ever. I hope he reopens soon. We need someone like him.

Home About PsychCrime Database News / Press Room Articles / Publications For Attorneys For Whistleblowers Video Store Donate Contact Us CCHR International 6616 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90028 800-869-2247 323-467-4242 323-467-3720 Fax [email protected]	Louisiana Medical Board Suspends Psychiatrist Ray Worthy for Improper Prescribing; Patient Died December 2, 2024 On July 24, 2023, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners indefinitely suspended the license of New Orleans psychiatrist Ray Worthy, due to improper prescribing practices and the death of a patient from a drug overdose. The Board initiated an investigation upon receipt of information that Worthy improperly prescribed controlled dangerous substances (CDS) to Patient KE, who had a known history of substance abuse, and the patient subsequently died from an overdose. In the course of the investigation, the investigating officer confirmed that Worthy prescribed patient KE large quantities of CDS in August and September 2021 without performing a urine drug screen and, further, did not cancel these prescriptions despite later being informed by patient KE's family that he was diverting the prescribed CDS to purchase illicit substances. This conduct was particularly concerning to the Board, considering that, only a few months prior to the prescriptions at issue, the Investigating Officer counseled Worthy about the importance of performing urine drug screens and accessing and reviewing the prescription monitoring program (“PMP”) when treating patients with a known history of substance abuse to ensure they are not diverting the prescribed substances. The investigation further revealed that Worthy’s improper prescribing practices were not limited to one patient, as a review of the patient’s medical records from additional patients revealed that, between April 2022 and August 2022, Worthy improperly prescribed ketamine to two patients for home use contrary to the Board's advisory opinion regarding the off-label use of ketamine to treat mental health disorders. Source: Interim Consent Order in the Matter of Ray Bonner Worthy, M.D., credential no. MD.205358, Case no. 2022-I-043, Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners, July 7, 2023. Go to News Go to News Archive Comments Kitten 2025-03-16 18:55:32 He was an awesome Psychiatrist that saved my life. Ever since I lost him I have continued to struggle on a daily basis without his care. It%u2019s so wrong to continue to punish these doctors for the mistakes of non-compliant patients. Laws need to change Susan Landry 2025-05-15 07:49:03 Why am I not surprised to see this happen to Dr Worthy Dr Worthy is one of the most caring compassionate and understanding doctors he can relate to addiction even though he's never had addiction himself He believes in a not so conventional way of treating patients through harm reduction which is fine because it works for a lot of people You can't blame the doctor for trusting and believing addicts to not lie to him I find it hard to believe he gave ketamone to take home I was in the jet am ne study and Dr Worthy was not breaking any laws by prescribing people meds. they would otherwise get on the street This is truly sad for such an educated man to bring new %uD83E%uDDEC get into a much old fashion way to recovery I wish you the best Dr Worthy and may may all this behind you really soon hopefully when you get your license back you'll recognize the people that are not in recovery for recovery and they're in it for just whatever they can do to take a doctor down if you ask me hopefully you'll be able to pick those people out more carefully because you saved my life from River oaks to Prytania St FYI 2025-10-11 22:57:10 Dr. Worthy is the best doctor I've ever had. He saved my life too. I also have struggled almost daily since his practice was abruptly closed. Trying to help the opioid crisis by taking the best, most caring doctor with amazing accomplishments -head of River Oaks, a groundbreaker in progressive treatments- by taking him away from the many patients who need him? So you have any idea how many people you destabilized in doing this? I'm not surprised. He can't possibly be responsible for what an adult patient illegally does with their own prescriptions. I know if you were missing appointments, not actively getting better, he would drop you as a patient immediately. I read through the judgement and I don't understand how he could be blamed. Everyone there is voluntary, so there is no court ordered mandate to test patients every month. No place does test every month or at all. I'm disgusted reading this. He is just the nicest most genuine person ever. I hope he reopens soon. We need someone like him. Post your own comment here: Name (public) Email (private) Your Comment
© CCHR International, 6616 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028 800-869-2247, 323-467-4242, FAX 323-467-3720 [email protected]