Laser center doctor disciplined
Doctor who supervised laser hair center here reprimanded by medical board
Date published: 9/3/2009
BY JIM HALL
The medical director of a laser hair removal center in Fredericksburg has been disciplined by the Virginia Board of Medicine.
Dr. Matthew Mitsch was reprimanded and fined $3,000. A board hearing, scheduled for yesterday in Richmond, was canceled when Mitsch signed a consent order.
In that order, Mitsch neither admits nor denies guilt but agrees not to contest the facts in the case.
Mitsch was medical director at five laser centers in Virginia, including the American Laser Center in Fredericksburg.
The medical board said he failed to properly supervise the work done at these centers. Specifically, he did not:
Know what protocols the laser technicians were using;
Was not aware of or involved in the technicians' training;
Did not know what brand of lasers they were using or the settings on the machines.
Michael Goodman, Mitsch's Richmond attorney, said yesterday that Mitsch is no longer the medical director of the centers.
"He might be advising the company on an administrative level, but he's not going to be the medical director to have hands-on, day-to-day operations or to be available for patients," Goodman said.
Mitsch works primarily in Virginia Beach. He also was affiliated with American Laser Centers in Fredericksburg, Richmond and Newport News and with branches of his Eyelid & Oculoplastic Consultants practice in Newport News and Chesapeake, according to his online profile maintained by the Board of Medicine.
American Laser Centers is a national chain based in Michigan. The company yesterday referred all questions about the disciplinary action to Mitsch.
Clients go to laser centers for a variety of treatments, including the removal of unwanted hair.
Jim Hall: 540/374-5433 Email: jhall@freelancestar.com
Read more stories about Fredericksburg
Date published: 9/3/2009
Most recent reader comments:
Before the "pokers" initiate a full scale attack
(posted by
PUBLIUSTWO
, Sep. 3, 2009 6:56 am)  
There is mention of his not keeping his current position. That question is hearby retracted.
Critical questions
(posted by
PUBLIUSTWO
, Sep. 3, 2009 6:52 am)  
The FLS failed to report some very important facts. What event prompted an audit of the business? Was anyone injured as the result of the findings of the hearing? Will Mr. Mitsch continue to serve as medical director? Were there any additional mandates as the result of the "consent"? This story is incomplete.
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