Psychiatrist loses license in California, gets probation in Colorado for "romance" with former patient

July 24, 2008

On November 16, 2007 the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners issued a Stipulation and Final Agency Order on psychiatrist Elise M. Sannar, placing her license on probation with conditions for five years. The Order states that Ms. Sannar admitted that the following behavior which she engaged in constituted unprofessional conduct: While employed as a forensic psychiatrist at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo from July 2005 to July 2006, Dr. Sannar was advised by one of her patients there that he had developed romantic feelings for her; Dr. Sannar failed to transfer the care of that patient to another psychiatrist; the patient was discharged from the Institute in November 2005 and within six months, Dr. Sannar had begun a romantic relationship with the former patient, which continued until February 2007. She admitted that she was aware at all relevant times, of the ethical and medical impropriety of beginning and maintaining such a relationship with a patient. Following this action, Dr. Sannar, who was also licensed in California, was charged with unprofessional conduct by that state’s medical board, based on the Colorado action. On July 24, 2008 Dr. Sannar surrendered her California license.¹