State of Nevada

Board of Medical Examiners
Press Release

Released December 7, 2001 

Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners Revokes 3 Physician Licenses and
Suspends License of a Physician Assistant

At its meeting on December 1, 2001, the board, after review and consideration of disciplinary cases presented at formal hearings, adjudicated cases against 3 Nevada licensed medical doctors:

George S. Lakner, M.D.

The board found Dr. Lakner, of Loma Linda, CA, guilty of the 2 counts of the Complaint filed against him: 1) Count One - answering "no" to question no. 11 of his application for renewal of his medical license in Nevada, when he knew that his application for licensure to practice medicine in California had been denied per section 480(a)(2) & (3) and section 582 of the California Business and Professions Code, a violation of NRS 630.304(1) - engaging in the act of attempting to renew a license to practice medicine by fraud or misrepresentation or by false, misleading, inaccurate or incomplete statement; and 2) Count Two - engaging in an act of conduct intended to deceive, a violation of NRS 630.306(2)(b). The board revoked Dr. Lakner’s license to practice medicine in Nevada and Ordered that he pay all administrative costs incurred in the investigation and prosecution of the case against him.

Christopher J. Rasmussen, M.D.

The board found Dr. Rasmussen, of Santa Cruz, CA, guilty of the 4 counts of the Complaint filed against him: 1) Count One - having his medical license in the state of Wisconsin suspended for a period of not less than 5 years by the State of Wisconsin Medical Examining Board, a violation of NRS 630.301(3); 2) Count Two - failure to report within 30 days the suspension of his license to practice medicine in the state of Wisconsin, a violation of NRS 630.306(11); 3) Count Three - having his medical license in the state of California revoked, the revocation stayed, and being placed on probation for 5 years by the Medical Board of California, a violation of NRS 630.301(3); and 4) Count Four - failure to report within 30 days the disciplinary action taken against his license to practice medicine in the state of California, a violation of NRS 630.306(11). The board revoked Dr. Rasmussen's license to practice medicine in Nevada and Ordered that he pay all administrative costs incurred in the investigation and prosecution of the case against him.

Artwen A. Wascher, M.D.

The board found Dr. Wascher, of Las Vegas, NV, guilty of 40 of the 42 counts of the Complaint filed against him, involving 21 patients.  The board found Dr. Wascher guilty of:  1) 20 counts of prescribing controlled substances in such a manner as to constitute malpractice, a violation of NRS 630.301(4); and  2) 20 counts of continual failure to exercise the skill or diligence or use the methods ordinarily exercised under the same circumstances by physicians in good standing practicing in the same specialty or field, a violation of NRS 630.306(7). The board revoked Dr. Wascher’s license to practice medicine in Nevada and Ordered that he pay all administrative costs incurred in the investigation and prosecution of the case against him.

At an emergency telephone conference call meeting of the board held on November 2, 2001, the board summarily suspended the license of a physician assistant:

James E. Harris, P.A.

The board summarily suspended the license of James E. Harris, P.A. on November 2, 2001, as the board found that the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the state of Nevada imperatively required the emergency suspension based on the Complaint filed against him, in which it is alleged that:  1) Count One - he practiced as a physician assistant while under the influence of controlled substances, a violation of NRS 630.306(1); 2) Count Two - his practice as a physician assistant while under the influence of controlled substances violates the provisions of NAC 630.380.(1)(l) and NAC 630.230(1)(c); and 3) Count Three - his continuing practice as a physician assistant, and his ability to practice as a physician assistant, during the pendency of the time necessary for a hearing on the Complaint, would endanger the health, safety, and welfare of his patients, requiring emergency action and the summary suspension of his license.

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