A Copy of The Formal Complaint Filed by The Texas Medical Board Against Dr. Mary Bowden
A Copy of The Formal Complaint Filed by The Texas Medical Board Against Dr. Mary Bowden
503-23-17769
4/25/2023 12:37 PM
STATE OFFICE OF
SOAH DOCKET No. 503-23-17769 ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Carol Hale, CLERK
ACCEPTED
HEARING CONDUCTED BY THE 503-23-17769
4/25/2023 12:43:42 pm
STATE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS STATE OFFICE OF
SOAH DOCKET NO. 503-23-_______.MD ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS
Carol Hale, CLERK
TEXAS MEDICAL LICENSE NO. K-9770
COMPLAINT AGAINST OF
COMPLAINT
Respondent violated the standard of care when she prescribed medication to one patient in
the ICU of Texas Huguley Hospital, where she did not hold privileges. Respondent did not have a
prior physician-patient relationship with the patient and did not establish a medical relationship
prior to prescribing medication to the patient. She did not conduct an exam, nor could she have
done so, as she did not have privileges at the hospital where the patient was admitted.
Respondent sent her delegate to administer the prescription medication to the patient at the
hospital, despite having no treating privileges at the hospital, nor having established a physician-
patient relationship with the patient. Additionally, Respondent acted in an unprofessional manner
and violated confidentiality protections for patients and hospital staff when she disseminated
patient identifying protected health information, and publicly identified hospital staff treating the
patient and involved in patient decision-making on her social media accounts.
Respondent’s privileges at another hospital, Houston Methodist, were suspended based on
Respondent’s unprofessional conduct. Respondent resigned her privileges while under
investigation at Houston Methodist.
1. Respondent is a Texas physician and holds Texas Medical License No. K-9770,
which was originally issued on May 19, 2000. Respondent’s license was in full force and effect at
all times material and relevant to this complaint.
2. Respondent received notice of one or more Informal Settlement Conferences
(ISCs). The Board complied with all procedural rules including, but not limited to, Board rules
182 and 187, as applicable.
3. No agreement to settle this matter has been reached by the parties.
4. All jurisdictional requirements have been satisfied.
5. The filing of this Complaint and the relief requested are necessary to protect the
health and public interest of the citizens of the State of Texas, as provided in Section 151.003 of
the Act.
The following Statutes, Rules, and Agency Policy are applicable to the procedures for
conduct of the hearing this matter:
A. General Statutes and Rules:
1. Section 164.007(a) of the Act requires that the Board adopt procedures governing
formal disposition of a contested case before the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
2. 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE, CH.187 sets forth the procedures adopted by the Board
under the requirement of Section 164.007(a) of the Act.
3. 22 TEX. ADMIN. CODE, CH. 190 sets forth aggravating factors that warrant more
severe or restrictive action by the Board.
4. 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE, CH. 155 sets forth the rules of procedure adopted by SOAH
for contested case proceeding.
5. 1 TEX. ADMIN. CODE, CH. 155.507, requires the issuance of a Proposal for Decision
(PFD) containing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
Section 164.051(a)(1) of the Act and Board Rule 165.1(a) authorizes the
Board to take disciplinary action against Respondent based on
Respondent’s failure to create and maintain an adequate, complete and
accurate medical record.
15. On or about December 17, 2020, Respondent was granted temporary privileges at
Houston Methodist Hospital (Houston Methodist) and was appointed as provisional staff at the
facility on or about January 27, 2021.
16. On or about November 8, 2021, Houston Methodist staff became aware of
Respondent’s “unethical behavior” and “dissemination of disinformation” via social media.
17. Some of the issues staff highlighted were, but not limited to, Respondent’s
declaration that she would no longer care for vaccinated patients; unproven statements about the
hospital denying patient care; her use of foul language; and a lack of understanding of HIPAA,
since she used patient identifying information on her public social media pages.
18. Respondent was requested by November 11, 2021 letter from Houston Methodist
peer review to provide proof she met the hospital’s requirements for Covid protocols within seven
days and advised that she conduct herself professionally on social media and not use vulgar,
abusive or offensive language.
19. On November 12, 2021, the Houston Methodist peer review committee sent
Respondent a letter noting that she had been unprofessional and inappropriate to a hospital
Board Rule 190.14 provides that the Board may impose more restrictive sanctions when
there are multiple violations of the Act. Board Rule 190.15 provides that the Board may consider
aggravating factors that warrant more severe or restrictive disciplinary action. This case includes
the following aggravating factors: (5) increased potential for harm to the public; (7) intentional,
premeditated, knowing, or grossly negligent act constituting a violation; (9) previous disciplinary
action by the board, any government agency, peer review organization, or health care entity; and
(11) other relevant circumstances increasing the seriousness of the misconduct.
Board staff is aware of no mitigating factors that apply and demands that Respondent
submit proof to substantiate any alleged mitigating factors.
VII. PRAYER
Respectfully submitted,
__________________________________
Stephen Brint Carlton, J.D.
Executive Director
Texas Medical Board
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I certify that on the 25th day of April 2023, a true and correct copy of the foregoing
Complaint has been served as follows:
VIA EFILE:
Docket Clerk
State Office of Administrative Hearings
William P. Clements Bldg.
300 W. 15th Street, Suite 504
Austin, TX 78701-1649
VIA CERTIFIED MAIL RRR/NO. 7014 2870 0000 3060 3728 AND FIRST CLASS MAIL:
Mary Talley Bowden, M.D.
3600 Kirby Dr., Suite F
Houston, TX 77098
(Respondent)
VIA EFILE:
Steven Mitby
Michael Barnhart
Geoff Litke
Mitby Pacholder Johnson PLLC
1001 McKinney St., Ste. 925
Houston, TX 77002
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
(Respondent’s Counsel)
VIA EFILE:
Robin Etheridge
Hearings Coordinator
Texas Medical Board
1801 Congress Ave., Suite 9-200
Austin, TX 78701
Kemisha Williams
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Case Contacts