In 2004, I was an anesthesiology resident at which time I became chemically dependent.  In January 2005, my Ohio training certificate was suspended.  In April 2006 I received my permanent Ohio Medical license under a standard 5 year probationary period.  In September 2006, I began a family medicine residency at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, OH which I successfully completed in June 2009.  Following this I completed a 1 year hospital medicine fellowship at Grant Medical Center which I successfully completed in June 2010.  Since that time I have been working as a hospitalist at Grant Medical Center. 

On April 13th 2011, I was released from my probationary period with the State Medical Board of Ohio.  I now have a full Ohio license except for a permanent restriction against the practice of anesthesiology.  I have been told on multiple occasions that the State Medical Board of Ohio will not lift this restriction entirely as there is no legal mechanism that allows them to do this.  I am currently working with the State Medical Board of Ohio to clarify that this restriction only applies to practice as an anesthesiologist and will not restrict my ability to use anesthesia to the level of a Family Physician/Hospitalist.  Once I have written clarification from the State Medical Board of Ohio I would like to appeal to sit for the ABPS Family Practice certification.  Do you believe that this appeal will have a chance of success?

Currently I have over 6 years of documented sobriety (Since Novemeber 2004).  I have had no further negative action taken against my Ohio medical license since the initial action in January 2005.  Thank you for your help.

Mark Renz, M.D.