State hospital psychiatrist Celeste B. Waters convicted, reprimanded by state

January 31, 2011

On November 19, 2010, the Medical Board of California issued a Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, reprimanding psychiatrist Celeste B. Waters. 

Waters, who was employed as a contract staff psychiatrist at Atascadero State Hospital (ASH, a maximum security forensic psychiatric facility), was convicted April 7, 2009 in San Luis Obispo County Superior Court (California vs. Waters, case no. M000423867) in violation of the state Business and Professions Code section regarding the keeping of accurate patient records. 

According to the Board’s document, on or about July 8, July 25 and August 1, 2008, Waters cancelled and did not conduct the schedule medication management group meetings which were her duty; she left the ASH premises when the times when the meetings were scheduled.  At these times, she signed and delivered to ASH management documents or records which falsely represented that she had conducted the meetings, when if fact, they did not take place. 

In addition to the reprimand, Waters is required to, among other things, complete an ethics course.

Source: Stipulated Settlement and Disciplinary Order, in the Matter of the Accusation Against Celeste B. Waters, M.D., Case No. 08-2009-198-732, OAH No. 2010070931, Medical Board or California.