- Board of Registration in Medicine
Wakefield — At its meeting on January 9, 2020, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine took disciplinary action against the medical licenses of Robert C. Godefroi, M.D., Stephen M. Dierks, M.D., Adrienne E. Lara-Fuller, M.D., Nadeem A. Afridi, M.D., and Dale J. Wallington, M.D.
The Board summarily suspended Dr. Robert C. Godefroi’s medical license after finding that Dr. Godefroi poses an immediate and serious threat to the public health, safety and welfare. The Board alleges that Dr. Godefroi engaged in boundary violations, including sexual misconduct, with a patient. Dr. Godefroi has the right to a hearing at the Division of Administrative Law Appeals within seven days. Dr. Godefroi was first licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts in August 1985. Until his summary suspension, Dr. Godefroi practiced medicine in Lawrence.
The Board accepted the resignation of the license to practice medicine of Dr. Stephen M. Dierks, M.D. Resignation is a disciplinary action that permanently removes a physician from the practice or medicine. Dr. Dierks was licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since May, 1996.
In a Final Decision & Order, the Board revoked Dr. Adrienne E. Lara-Fuller’s right to renew her medical license after it found that she had been disciplined in California for a reason substantially similar to that for which she could be disciplined in the Massachusetts; repeated acts of negligence in her practice of medicine. Dr. Lara-Fuller was licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth from June 1995 until November 2005. Dr. Lara-Fuller currently practices medicine in California where she has a private practice.
The Board accepted the resignation of Dr. Nadeem A. Afridi’s right to renew his medical license. Resignation is a disciplinary action that permanently removes a physician from the practice of medicine. Dr. Afridi was licensed in Massachusetts from 1993 until he entered into a voluntary agreement not to practice medicine in December 2016.
In a Consent Order, the Board reprimanded Dr. Dale J. Wallington after the Connecticut Medical Examining Board took disciplinary action due to his care and treatment of a patient. Dr. Wellington was also ordered to enter into a probation agreement. Dr. Wallington has been licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since October 1992. He currently practices in Connecticut.
The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine licenses more than 40,000 physicians, osteopaths and acupuncturists. The Board was created in 1894 to protect the public health and safety by setting standards for the practice of medicine and ensuring that doctors who practice in the Commonwealth are appropriately qualified and competent. The Board investigates complaints and determines sanctions. More information is available at www.mass.gov/massmedboard, or you may contact the Board at borimmedia@massmail.state.ma.us.