- Board of Registration in Medicine
WAKEFIELD — The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine took disciplinary action against the medical licenses of Shawn A. Howland, M.D., Alok M. Kanojia, M.D., Robert B. Shepherd, D.O., Laura E. Purdy, M.D. and David S. Healey, M.D.
In a Consent Order, the Board stayed the suspension of Dr. Shawn A. Howland’s license to practice medicine after he acknowledged in a Consent Order that he had had admitted to sufficient facts for one count of violation of a restraining order and two counts of witness intimidation. The suspension of Dr. Howland’s license was immediately stayed upon the Board approving his entry into a Probation Agreement which requires, among other provisions, a practice restriction to a single worksite with a Board-approved practice plan. Dr. Howland is board-certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of American Specialties. He was licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth from February 27, 2002 until he entered into a Voluntary Agreement Not to Practice Medicine on November 1, 2022. Dr. Howland is also licensed to practice medicine in Rhode Island.
In another Consent Order, the Board reprimanded Dr. Alok M. Kanojia’s medical license after he agreed that his live-streamed conversations with one individual about his mental health undermined the public confidence in the integrity of the medical profession. Dr. Kanojia, a board-certified psychiatrist, has been licensed in Massachusetts since June 15, 2017. He is primarily affiliated with HealthyGamerGG.
The Board reprimanded Dr. Robert B. Shepherd’s license to practice medicine after he agreed, in a Consent Order, that he issued prescriptions to two patients outside the course of his normal practice as a hospitalist and failed to maintain any documentation regarding the prescriptions he issued to them. In addition, he had admitted to sufficient facts to find him guilty of Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle. Dr. Shepherd also agreed that he submitted a License Renewal Application to the Board in which he did not disclose the existence of pending criminal charges against him. He was also fined $5,000. Dr. Shepherd was first licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts on July 18, 1990. He specializes in Family Medicine and works at a group practice in Shrewsbury.
In another Consent Order, the Board reprimanded Dr. Laura E. Purdy’s license to practice medicine after she agreed that she had been disciplined by the Mississippi Board of Medical Licensure for reasons substantially similar to those for which Massachusetts could impose discipline, to wit, for practicing medicine deceitfully or engaging in conduct which has the capacity to deceive and violating the Board’s Policy on Internet Prescribing. Dr. Purdy was also fined $1,000. Dr. Purdy has been licensed to practice medicine in the Commonwealth since January 6, 2022. She is board certified in Family Medicine and is currently licensed to practice medicine in over forty states.
The Board accepted Dr. David S. Healey’s resignation of his right to renew his medical license. Resignation is a disciplinary action that permanently removes a physician from the practice of medicine. Dr. Healey is board-certified in Pediatrics by the American Board of Medical Specialties. He was licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since January 25, 2024 and entered into a Voluntary Agreement Not to Practice on March 19, 2024.
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 borimmediamassmail.state.ma.us.