Judge Tosses Sanctions Against Madison Doc Accused Of Fondling Patients

MADISON, Wis. (WTAQ) - A judge in Madison has thrown out state-imposed sanctions against a Madison doctor who was accused of fondling 4 female patients. Dane County Circuit Judge John Markson said the Medical Examining Board was wrong to punish pain specialist Frank Salvi. He was suspended for 90 days, and was ordered to have 5 years of supervision plus a mental exam. The board decided Wednesday to appeal the judge’s ruling.

Salvi’s attorney, Lester Pines, said a peer review committee found that Salvi did nothing wrong – and the state board failed to take that into account. Pines said the board also failed to consider evidence from an expert witness, and it did not apply the legal definition of sexual conduct. The alleged contact occurred when Salvi worked at UW Hospital in Madison. He had resigned in 2007 and became a rehab specialist at a Milwaukee hospital – and Pines said Salvi was fired there after last fall’s ruling by the state board. Pines said the doctor is planning to take a new job in Madison.