Whatcom County physician voluntarily surrenders medical license after complaints
A Whatcom County physician voluntarily surrendered his medical license last month after he was accused of making inappropriate comments to several patients and misdiagnosing one of them.
Mendel M. Gordin voluntarily surrendered his medical license as a physician and surgeon in April, according to the Washington Medical Commission and documents with the Washington State Department of Health.
Gordin, who had held an active medical license since July 9, 1991, will not be allowed to renew, reactivate or practice as a retired physician in Washington state, according to a Monday press release from the state medical commission.
Documents state Gordin retired as a physician and had no future plans of returning to practice medicine.
Gordin was “at the effective end of his practice and surrender (of his medical license) alone is enough to protect the public,” state health department records show.
The Bellingham Herald has reached out to Gordin’s attorney for comment.
In a document dated March 15, the commission accused Gordin of unprofessional conduct after two separate complaints had been filed against him related to patients he saw in 2021 and 2022, according to state health department records.
In early June 2021, a patient saw Gordin for a psychiatric evaluation. During the appointment, Gordin allegedly told the patient she reminded him of someone he previously dated and that “she had a pelvis like you,” according to state health department records.
The patient said Gordin stepped out of the exam room during the appointment to take a phone call related to another patient. The patient in the exam room said she could hear personal details about the other patient’s call.
The patient also reported that Gordin experienced several brief episodes during her appointment where he “either fell asleep or lost consciousness,” the documents state.
In mid-August 2022, a mandatory reporter alleged that Gordin made several “inappropriate comments” to a female patient and misdiagnosed her in early May.
The state medical commission sent Gordin a letter in early September asking him to provide “a complete explanation” regarding the details contained in the complaint related to the second patient within 21 days. The commission also sent a formal request for Gordin to provide medical records related to the second patient.
Gordin did not comply with either of the medical commission’s requests, state health department documents state.
The medical commission accused Gordin of unprofessional conduct related to incompetence, negligence or malpractice that either resulted in an injury to a patient or created an unreasonable risk that a patient could be harmed.
The commission also accused Gordin of failing to cooperate with the state health department’s disciplining authority and of abuse of a client related to inappropriate comments made that had no legitimate medical or therapeutic purpose, the records show.
Gordin does not admit any of the allegations, documents state.
On April 13, he entered into a stipulated informal disposition with the state medical commission. The stipulation is not considered formal disciplinary action and is not considered a finding of unprofessional conduct or inability to practice, the documents state.
As part of the stipulated disposition, Gordin agreed to voluntarily surrender his physician license within five days. He also agreed to only practice administrative medicine in the interim, related to closing his practice and referring patients to alternate providers, the records state.
He agreed to not resume practicing medicine in Washington state, including in any temporary, emergency or volunteer capacity.
Gordin also had to notify all health-care plans and hospitals where he had privileges that he ceased medical practice.
The medical commission agreed to forgo further disciplinary proceedings and sanctions regarding the complaints against Gordin as part of the stipulated agreement, the records show.
