ACCUSED MB DOCTOR YIELDS LICENSE

Myrtle Beach physician, once accused by the state medical board of sexual
misconduct and overprescribing drugs to patients, has relinquished his
license to practice medicine in South Carolina.

D. Michael Woodward, a pain management physician and neurologist, agreed to
"never reapply to practice in South Carolina" in exchange for the state
medical board dismissing a complaint made against him in December 1996,
according to an order released Wednesday by the S.C. Board of Medical
Examiners.

Woodward could not be reached for comment Wednesday. His attorney, Joe
McCulloch of Columbia, declined to comment.

Although the action does not prevent Woodward from practicing in another
state, the fact that he surrendered his license could hamper efforts to
obtain a medical license elsewhere, said Rick Wilson, deputy general
counsel for the S.C. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation.

"He will take that history with him," Wilson said. "It will be up to any
other board to decide to give him another license."

Wilson said the state medical board will inform the National Practitioner
Data Bank of its action. Hospitals and health providers are required to
query the data bank before licensing a health professional, Wilson said.

"They routinely ask whether you had or surrendered [a medical license] in
another state," Wilson said. "A yes answer would trigger another follow-up
question pertaining to that."

Woodward was facing a trial in connection with allegations of professional
misconduct, according to the order. The board had revoked Woodward's
medical license in October 1997, but it was reinstated by an administrative
law judge because of procedural irregularities.

The board again pulled Woodward's license about a year later, only to have
the action reversed by a circuit court and remanded to the board for
further consideration.

In its findings for revocation, the board cited "serious acts of
professional misconduct," including sexual conduct with two patients,
giving dangerous drugs without medical justification, failing to monitor
and control the patients' use of the drugs, and failing to maintain
adequate medical records.

The board appealed the judge's decision and was awaiting a decision by the
circuit court, which recently ordered a new trial for Woodward before a new
panel.

"Rather than undergo a new hearing, [Woodward] will give up forevermore the
right to practice medicine in South Carolina," the order said.

Woodward was the chief executive officer at Comprehensive Care & Pain
Management Center at 7714 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. The clinic was
closed earlier this year because of sanctions imposed by the Drug
Enforcement Administration.

Cheri Crowley, a DEA supervisor in the Columbia office, said six physicians
associated with the clinic had their DEA certificates suspended because
they inappropriately prescribing drugs, primarily OxyContin, a potent pain
medication. The suspensions prohibit the physicians from prescribing
controlled substances.

A criminal investigation involving the clinic is ongoing. Crowley wouldn't
comment about the investigation.

Info : Six Myrtle Beach physicians who lost their certification to
prescribe controlled drugs will have the opportunity to have their
privileges reinstated.