Arizona psychiatrist David Patzer, now working in Tennessee, disciplined in both states for substance abuse

April 1, 2009

The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners placed psychiatrist David K. Patzer’s license on probation for five years, during which he must comply with a five-year contract with the Tennessee Medical Foundation (a rehabilitative program for impaired health care practitioners) and must also comply with terms of a disciplinary order issued by the Arizona Medical Board on February 5, 2009.  At that time, Arizona granted Patzer a probationary license with terms and conditions.  According to the findings of the Arizona Board, Patzer has a history of illicit stimulant use and administrative discipline: He entered into a rehabilitation agreement with the Arizona Board following treatment for substance abuse.  On October 12, 2001, he tested positive for amphetamine not prescribed by his primary care physician.  His practice was subsequently restricted.  He successfully completed treatment in January 2002 but relapsed in November 2002 by writing a fraudulent prescription and ingesting Ritalin and subsequently surrendered his Arizona license.  The terms and conditions of his probationary Arizona license include routine biological fluid collection and testing and abstinence from alcohol.  (Consent Agreement for Probationary License, In the Matter of David K. Patzer, M.D., License No. 26950, Case No. MD-08-1151A, Before the Arizona Medical Board, January 13, 2009 and Disciplinary Action Report, Tennessee Department of Health, April 2009.)