NEW: 8 Doctors Sanctioned by the RI Department of Health
PHOTO: Sasun Bughdaryan, Unsplash
Eight licensed physicians face a sweeping array of discipline actions by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
The sanctions were made public on Wednesday.
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1)VOLUNTARY AGREEMENT NOT TO PRACTICЕ Sita Singhal, D.O. is a physician currently licensed in the State of Rhode Island and has held a license to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since December 12, 2024. Dr. Singhal is also licensed to practice medicine in the states of Connecticut and New York.
Dr. Singhal has been suspended from the practice of medicine in the State of Connecticut and has also entered a stipulation with the State of New York to not practice medicine in that state. In accordance with principles of reciprocity, Dr. Singhal agrees to not practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island, effective immediately.
2) Madalyn M. Nygren, M.D. (“Respondent”) has been licensed to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since June 30, 2024. This complaint arises from a patient visit to the Emergency Department (“ED”) at Roger Williams Medical Center (“Roger Williams”) on the evening of March 14, 2025. At the time, Respondent was the attending emergency medicine physician. The patient had been transported by emergency medical services (‘”EMS”) after reporting vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain that followed a Dilation and Curettage procedure (D&C) that had been performed at another healthcare facility on March 7, 2025. The patient had previously been at the Roger Williams ED on March 11, 2025, with complaints of pelvic pain. She returned on March 14 with complaints of vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain.
The Board conducted an investigation through its Investigative Committee. Based upon an assessment of the records and witness interviews, the Investigative Committee determined that Respondent failed to evaluate the patient who presented for care to Roger Williams ED and to provide patient information to providers in the emergency department at Women & Infants Hospital upon the patient’s transfer there. The patient was successfully transferred to Women & Infants Hospital by EMS. As a result, the Investigative Committee made a probable cause determination that Respondent violated R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-5.1(4), (10) and (19).
She was ordered to pay a penalty of $1,100 and received a formal reprimand.
3) Pedro Mariano Barros, M.D. (“Respondent”) has been licensed to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since April 10, 2003. On May 5, 2025, a complaint was filed with the Board by a relative of a patient of the Respondent. The complaint alleged that Respondent prescribed metoclopramide for an extended period, despite published warnings that the medication should generally be limited to a consecutive maximum of 12 weeks. The Board conducted an investigation through its Investigative Committee and reviewed the medical records relating to the patient. Respondent also appeared before the Investigative Committee for an interview on January 7, 2026.
Upon assessment of the medical records, as well as the Respondent’s interview, the Investigative Committee concluded that there was an absence of any documentation reflecting a discussion with the patient concerning the risks and potential side effects from prolonged use of metoclopramide. The Investigative Committee also determined that there was a failure to adequately document monitoring of the patient for signs of developing adverse conditions from such prolonged use. As a result of its findings, the Investigative Committee made a probable cause determination of unprofessional conduct, in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-5.1(19).
Respondent is hereby issued a reprimand on his Rhode Island license and shall pay administrative fees in the amount of $1,100.00.
4) Robert Shalvoy, MD (“Respondent”) is licensed as a physician in Rhode Island. The Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (“Board”) makes the following FINDINGS OF FACT. The Rhode Island Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline (hereinafter “Board”) has reviewed and investigated the above-referenced complaint pertaining to Dr. Robert Shalvoy (hereinafter “Respondent”) through its Investigative Committee. 2. Respondent has been a licensed physician in the State of Rhode Island since August 1, 1990. Respondent is a 1984 graduate of New Jersey Medical School. His specialty is orthopedic surgery. 3. The Board received a complaint in the form of a Notice of Settlement from the National Practitioner Data Bank, that Respondent had settled litigation regarding care for Patient A (alias). 4. Respondent was the attending physician for Patient A. Patient A had been evaluated and treated by Respondent on multiple occasions for bilateral knee pain. The matter relevant to settled litigation pertained to care delivered on July 1, 2016, specifically arthroscopy of the knee and respective follow-up care and subsequent management of complications.
Respondent submitted a written response to the Board regarding the above captioned matter and appeared before the Investigative Committee on May 5th, 2022. Respondent performed the aforementioned procedure and that a joint aspirate performed on July 18, 2016, to evaluate increased swelling and pain in the joint and drainage from the arthroscopy portal sites produced crystals indicative of pseudogout, yet also the culture grew a bacteria, Serratia marcescens. Respondent prescribed Patient A an oral antibiotic, Levaquin 500mg twice a day for 10 days.
A second aspirate July 25th, 2016 was done, while Patient A was taking antibiotics and did not grow any bacteria. Patient A had additional aspirates on August 14th, 2016 and September 1, 2016, performed by Respondent due to persistent pain and inflammation (synovitis); the aspirates were not sent for cultures on those days.
Patient A had another aspirate sent on September 19th, 2016 and it again grew the bacteria Serratia marcescens for which Respondent prescribed oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole for 10 days. Respondent injected corticosteroids into the joint on several occasions.
Patient A was referred by the respondent to a rheumatologist to assess whether Lyme disease could be a cause for the synovitis. The rheumatologist suspected septic arthritis and referred Patient A immediately to the emergency department for assessment and treatment. The Investigative Committee concluded Respondent did not recognize that the joint was infected and therefore did not treat this complication of the arthroscopic procedure according to the appropriate standard of care. Additionally,the Investigative Committee found Respondent deviated from the standard of care by not sending cultures of joint aspirates for the August 14th and September 1 visits. The Investigative Committee concluded Respondent violated Rhode Island General Laws, specifically, § 5-37-5.1 (19).
The doctor is required to pay $1,100.00 and has received a formal reprimand.
5) Marija Zhukov, M.D. (“Respondent”) has been licensed to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since May 11, 2011. The above-referenced complaint arises from the Respondent’s administration of anesthesia to a patient in preparation for cataract and glaucoma surgery.
The Investigative Committee of the Board conducted an investigation into the complaint, including a review of the medical records and the written response filed by the Respondent concerning the underlying procedure. The Investigative Committee also interviewed the Respondent on April 2, 2025.
The patient was first treated by Respondent on June 23, 2020, when Respondent administered anesthesia prior to left eye cataract and glaucoma surgery. Respondent successfully administered an ocular nerve block for the cataract and glaucoma surgery to the left eye. The patient returned for cataract and glaucoma surgery to his right eye on July 28, 2020. Again, the respondent administered an ocular nerve block to the right eye. The patient suffered a vitreous hemorrhage to the posterior globe following the Respondent’s administration of anesthesia to the right eye.
The medical records indicate that the patient presented with a high-risk anatomical structure – severe myopia. Respondent was unaware of the patient’s large globe that caused severe myopia, which placed the patient at a higher risk for complications from ocular blocks, including the possibility of a globe perforation, which occurred in this case. Respondent explained to the Investigative Committee that the surgeon performing the cataract and glaucoma surgery did not inform Respondent of the patient’s large globe or severe myopia. Respondent further explained that if she had been informed by the surgeon of the patient’s unique anatomy, she would have considered another anesthetic for the procedure.
Upon examination of the evidence gathered during its preliminary investigation, the Investigative Committee determined that the surgeon made an entry in the patient’s medical records that clearly indicated that the patient suffered from significant myopia. Respondent acknowledged that she did not review the medical entry prior to administering anesthesia to the patient and further acknowledged that she did not discuss the patient’s condition during a preoperative briefing with the surgeon.
As a result of the review of the medical records and Respondent’s appearance, the Investigative Committee made a probable cause determination of unprofessional conduct, in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 37-5-5.1(19). The Investigative Committee concluded that the Respondent did not properly review the medical history presented on this patient before administering anesthesia.
Respondent is hereby issued a reprimand on her Rhode Island license and shall pay administrative fees in the amount of $1,100.00.
6) Sumit Kumar Das, M.D. (“Respondent”) has been licensed to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since October 20, 2000.
The above-referenced complaint arises from the Respondent’s performance of a cervical facet injection on a patient on May 31, 2023. Respondent injected 4 cc of lidocaine in anticipation of a corticosteroid injection to treat severe neck pain. The patient suffered cardiac arrest immediately following the lidocaine injection. In response, Respondent’s staff called EMS and also requested emergency assistance from an anesthesiologist who works in an office in the same building. The anesthesiologist arrived and immediately administered CPR. While the anesthesiologist attended to the Respondent’s patient, EMS arrived, assumed care of the patient, and transported the patient to Rhode Island Hospital.
Respondent notes that the reason for the arrest in this particular case could have been related to a variety of issues including a vasovagal syncopal episode, allergic reaction, or a LAST reaction. The administration of cervical facet injections necessitates the use of certain protocols to improve patient safety and avoid the risk of local anesthetic systemic toxicity (“LAST”). LAST is a known complication that can result from excessive intravascular injection of local anesthetics such as lidocaine, causing rapid systemic absorption, which can lead to cardiac arrest.
The Board conducted an investigation through its Investigative Committee, including a review and analysis of the medical records relating to the injection procedure performed on the patient; an interview of witnesses and the Respondent; and an inspection of the Respondent’s medical offices. The reason for the unusual reaction is not clearly known however the Investigative Committee made a preliminary finding that Respondent failed to safely administer the facet injection spinal and epidural injections by failing to follow procedures necessary to identify and prevent local anesthetic systemic toxicity.
The Investigative Committee also preliminarily found that the Respondent’s office did not have the appropriate emergency equipment necessary to effectively treat a medical emergency. Respondent’s office also lacked the ability to monitor vital signs, oxygen level, and blood pressure. The office also did not have a dedicated area for the observation of patients following a procedure. The Committee made a probable cause determination of unprofessional conduct in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws $5-37-5.1(19).
The respondent is hereby issued a reprimand on his Rhode Island license and shall pay administrative fees in the amount of $1,100.00.
7) Marc Taiwo Awobuluyi, M.D. (“Respondent”) has been licensed to practice medicine in the State of Rhode Island since November 14, 2007.
On April 20, 2022, Respondent and the Wisconsin Medical Examining Board agreed upon the entry of an order relating to Respondent’s review and reporting of an X-ray. The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board found that Respondent did not report his findings directly to the Facility or the treating physician. Instead, Respondent’s report was faxed to the Facility, where a nurse received it and left the results with the treating physician’s answering service. The Wisconsin Medical Examining Board found that Respondent should have reported the free air as his primary finding, rather than merely advising follow-up to rule it out, and should have communicated this finding directly to the patient’s treaters to ensure they understood the gravity of the situation.
The Investigative Committee of the Board met on July 30, 2025, and, in consideration of the actions taken against Respondent by the state of Wisconsin, concluded that under the reciprocal provision set forth under R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-37-5.1(21), any “disciplinary action against a license or authorization to practice medicine in another state” constitutes unprofessional conduct.
Respondent is hereby issued a reprimand upon his Rhode Island license and shall pay an administrative fee in the amount of $1,100.00.
8) William Thompson, M.D. (“Respondent”) entered into a Consent Order that was fully executed on April 9, 2025. To date, Respondent has been in compliance with the terms of the Consent Order. The following modifications to the terms of the Consent Order are agreed upon.
FINDINGS OF FACT:
Pursuant to Paragraph 15 of the Consent Order, as attached hereto as Exhibit A, Respondent agreed to “maintain a treatment and monitoring contract with the Rhode Island Medical Society Physicians Health Program (PHP). The PHP has since assessed the situation and determined that since Respondent lacks a mental health diagnosis, it declines to enter into а treatment and monitoring contract with Respondent. Based on the foregoing, the parties agree as follows: 1. Respondent admits to and agrees to remain under the jurisdiction of the Board. 2. Respondent has agreed to this Consent Order Modification and understands that it is subject to final approval of the Board and is not binding on Respondent until final ratification by the Board.
The requirement to maintain a treatment and monitoring contract with the PHP, as reflected in Paragraph 15 of the April 9, 2025, Consent Order, is terminated.
Respondent agrees to remain in therapy, and the therapist shall provide a report to the Board every four months regarding the status of the therapy treatment.
Respondent will agree to yearly polygraph tests for the remainder of the probationary period, with the questions to be asked determined and agreed upon between Respondent and the Board.
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