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June 2, 2006
HEALTH SECRETARY ISSUES EMERGENCY SUSPENSION ORDER
TALLAHASSEE – Florida Department of Health (DOH) Secretary M. Rony François, M.D., M.S.P.H., Ph.D., has issued an emergency suspension order for Peter Nicholas Swischuk, M.D., related to his prescribing, dispensing, administering, mixing and preparing a legend drug other than in the course of his practice. Swischuk practiced medicine in Plantation, Fla.
“Dr. Swischuk's willingness to engage in on-going criminal activity by manufacturing and distributing cocaine while practicing medicine is unethical and illegal,” Dr. François said. “His lack of commitment to ethics and his lack of good judgment forces the department's hand to suspend his license.”
Swischuk, who is an interventional radiologist, was arrested in April 2006 for the possession of cocaine, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and drug paraphernalia (glass crack cocaine pipes with residue). He is currently out of jail on bond. Swischuk is suspected of preparing and selling cocaine from March 21, 2006 to April 21, 2006.
An emergency suspension order immediately suspends Swischuk's license and prohibits him to practice medicine in Florida until final action is taken by the Florida Board of Medicine.
The mission of DOH's Division of Medical Quality Assurance (MQA) is to protect and promote the health of all persons in Florida by diligently regulating health care practitioners and facilities. MQA, in conjunction with 22 boards and six councils, regulates six types of facilities and more than 40 health care professions. MQA evaluates the credentials of all applicants for licensure, issues licenses, analyzes and investigates complaints, inspects facilities, assists in prosecuting practice act violations, combats unlicensed activity and provides credential and discipline history about licensees to the public. For additional information, visit the Department of Health Web site at www.doh.state.fl.us and select Medical Quality Assurance from the drop box.
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