Psychiatrist Luis J. Bird, U. Pennsylvania Instructor, Surrenders Medical License for Controlled Substance-Related Violation

May 23, 2025

On January 28, 2025 Philadelphia psychiatrist Luis J. Bird permanently and voluntarily surrendered his Pennsylvania medical license while under investigation by the State Board of Medicine.

The Board’s order states that the surrender was to settle charges that Bird prescribed controlled substances to three people for whom he kept no medical records, in violation of the applicable sections of the state Professions & Occupations Code.

According to the Board’s order, Bird prescribed three individuals—A.D., O.S, and M.O.—prescription drugs which were categorized under federal law as Schedule II, IV, or V controlled substances.

Among the controlled substances identified in the Board’s order are highly addictive and dangerous drugs including benzodiazepines (prescribed to treat anxiety), sedatives, opioids (prescribed to treat pain), and stimulants.

The specific drugs named in the order include alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and clonazepam (Klonopin), zolpidem (Ambien, a sedative), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin, a stimulant), codeine-containing cough medicine, tramadol (prescribed for pain), oxycodone (prescribed for pain), and zalephon (Sonata, prescribed for insomnia).

Though the Board’s order does not specify the duration over which Bird prescribed to these three individuals, it specifies the number of doses of each drug that he prescribed to each person:

• A.D.: 730 doses of alprazolam; 540 doses of dexmethylphenidate; and 1,440 doses of codeine cough medicine, among others; 

• O.S.: 730 doses of lorazepam and 1,853 doses of codeine cough medicine; among others; 

• M.O.: 780 doses of various benzodiazepines, among others.

The Board’s order indicates that the three people were Bird’s sister and two friends, all of whom Bird lived with.

Public records show that Bird is the medical director for COMHAR (Community Organization of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery), a non-profit organization that provides a range of services to individuals in Philadelphia, including community centers, living arrangements, and behavioral health and addiction-related programs.

Bird is also affiliated with University of Pennsylvania nursing program, where he acts as a preceptor (teacher or instructor) for psychiatric/mental health nurse practitioners.

Sources: Consent Agreement and Order, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Bureau of Professional and Occupations Affairs vs. Luis J. Bird, MD, case no. 22-49-010398, Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, January 30, 2025; Luis Bird, M.D. preceptor page on University of Pennsylvania website: https://www.nursing.upenn.edu/live/profiles/18819-luis-bird; and Comhar, Inc. 990 tax filing, as posted at https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/237418921/202002189349301300/full.