Staff Writer

OAKLAND CITY-The Indiana Medical Licensing Board decided Monday to temporarily suspend the medical license of Oakland City physician Gerald Gray after an individual was allegedly found to be practicing medicine without a license at Gray's office.

Gray's license will be suspended for 90 days pending a full hearing on the complaint that Gray allowed Michael Meinhart, an unlicensed person to practice medicine in his Oakland City clinic.

Staci Schneider, a deputy for the state's attorney general's office said the attorney general asked for an emergency suspension because he believed that Gray's practice was a threat to the community.

"The state will file a full complaint to the medical licensing board, which will determine if Gray will be able to keep his medical license," Schneider said. "After reviewing the case the state believed that Gray's practice was an immediate threat to the community because he allowed an unlicensed individual to practice medicine in his clinic. The state asked the medical board to allow an emergency suspension until the full hearing."

Schneider said that the state and Dr. Gray will present their cases before the state medical licensing board who will then determine what final action should be taken against Gray.

Indiana Attorney General Steve Carter had recommended the suspension following an investigation into the arrest of Meinhart.

According to the state, Gray permitted Meinhart, who was an employee at his clinic, to conduct examinations, enter information in medical records and write prescription for patients, although he was not licensed to do so.

Also Gray had sent Meinhart to the Good Samaritan nursing home in 2004 to treat several of Gray's patients, according to the complaint.

Meinhart was arrested by the OC Police Department with assistance from the Indiana State Police on Feb. 18 and charged with practicing medicine without a license.

At the time of Meinhart's arrest Gray, who has practiced medicine in Oakland City since 1965, said Meinhart worked in his office, but insisted that at no time did Meinhart act outside his direction.

Gray said he had some computer problems and Meinhart came to his office to help.

"I tried to get him interested in getting back into medicine. I hoped he would become interested in going back to school and getting his license by doing stuff in my office like lab testing and checking patients," he said. "I checked everything he did. He did a great job, far better than a nurse would have done."

Gray said the entire situation made him angry because he was only trying to help Meinhart.

"I'm thoroughly pissed about the whole thing. We all learn the same way. He was no more practicing medicine than he was flying," he said.

Attorney General Steve Carter released a statement saying, "people trust that their doctors have undergone the proper training and licensing processes. This physician violated his patients' safety and trust by permitting an unlicensed individual tom practice medicine without having a valid license."

Oakland City physician Terry Gehlhausen said he is working in cooperation with Gray's office to provide a "safety net" for patients.

"We are currently working on arrangements to handle Gray's patients. I am trying to see as many of his patients as I can," said Gehlhausen.

Gray could not be reached for comment on Monday.