Arkansas Medical Board revokes license of Little Rock gastroenterologist

LITTLE ROCK — After approximately 20 hours of testimony during a two-day hearing, the Arkansas State Medical Board voted to revoke the license of Dr. Alonzo Williams, a Little Rock gastroenterologist accused of sexual abuse and improper prescription practices.

The medical board, led by Dr.

Ward Gardner, approved 16 of the 17 charges against Williams, many of which were related to gross negligence or “ignorant malpractice” for the over-utilization of medical procedures such as biopsies, colonoscopies and a specific esophagus examination called an esophagogastroduodenoscopy, or EGD. The hearing centered around an investigation of six of Williams’ patients, whom he and his attorney Kevin O’Dwyer described as “extreme outliers.”

Medical records — which testimony revealed Williams’ staff did not collect in their entirety for the investigation — showed the six patients frequently underwent sedated procedures and were prescribed opioids even after pharmacies communicated risks for certain patients to Williams’ clinic.

Williams, 73, testified Friday and said he believes some patients “duped” him. In an effort to assuage board members, Williams said he was willing to complete various courses to improve his practice and would stop prescribing narcotics entirely. He

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said he would refer patients with chronic pain to other practitioners.

As a former member of the Arkansas State Medical Board himself, Williams said he “worked real hard to not be on this side of the table,” referring to his position as the subject of the hearing.

His attempts to relieve board members of concerns did not prove to have enough sway when it came to the charges.

The only charge board members did not approve Friday concerned an allegation of sexual harassment of an employee in a clinic setting. The board rejected the allegations because of a disagreement of whether the alleged victim was an employee of Williams’ and concerns that the woman did not testify.

Williams did testify Friday that he had an inappropriate relationship with one of his coworkers, a woman who was frequently referenced throughout the hearing as his employee.

Williams does not consider her to ever have been his employee.

Further, he said their relationship was consensual, brief and was not sexual harassment. He did not provide any further details. In addition to approving allegations and charges, the medical board also assigned penalties to the separate charges, the majority of which were license revocations. Other approved penalties included reprimand and a one-year license suspension.

The license revocation will take effect upon a signed order, and Williams will be informed of the appeal process.

One member of the board, Dr. Brian McGee, recused from the hearing because he previously practiced gastroenterology in the same clinic as Williams.

McGee was not present either day of the hearing.

Another board member, Dr. Timothy Paden, was absent Friday and did not participate in the vote.

Gardner, who as chairman doesn’t participate in board votes, was the only member who spoke to the result of the hearing.

“No desire to make any comments, it’s a sad day,” he said soon before the board adjourned after a 13hour hearing on Friday.

Williams declined to comment on the hearing’s outcome as he left for the evening with his family.

Arkansas State Police attempting to locate missing Camden siblings

CAMDEN – Officials with the Arkansas State Police are attempting to locate a pair of missing siblings Sunday.

According to officials, 11-year-old Marcus Epps Jr. and his sister 7year-old Armonii Epps were last seen at their grandfather’s home on Buchanan Street around midnight Saturday.

ASP officials said that the children’s mother, Keibreana Mitchell, who has no custodial rights, removed the children from the home.

Mitchell has a warrant for her arrest on two counts of kidnapping.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the children is asked to contact the Camden Police Department at (870) 836-5755.