(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Attorney General Mike DeWine announced today that the permanent revocation of Douglas B. Karel's Ohio medical license was affirmed Friday by Judge Richard Sheward of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The State Medical Board approved in July of last year a hearing officer's proposed order that Karel's license should be revoked because of his "conduct in repeatedly making large amounts of narcotics and other controlled substances available to patients with relatively little examination or scrutiny…."
"Step by step we are making progress in putting an end to pill mills in Ohio," said Attorney General DeWine. "The judge's decision in this appeal is the latest sign that we are on the right track and will keep moving forward."
The State Medical Board is represented by the office of Attorney General DeWine.
Karel, who practiced medicine around the state, including Lima and, most recently, Wheelersburg, entered into a probationary agreement with the medical board in 2004. The probationary period ended in 2005.
Karel served temporarily as a physician at a pain management practice in Waverly from about 2006-2007. He then moved to a full-time position at a pain management practice in South Point. That practice moved to Wheelersburg where he practiced until his license was suspended by the state board in 2011.
–30–
Media Contacts
Lisa Hackley: 614-466-3840
Mark Moretti: 614-466-3840