NEW: North Providence MD Suspended After Being Found Barricaded in Home with 19 Firearms
Friday, April 22, 2011
Robert A. Paoella, M.D., a practitioner of Internal Medicine in North Providence has been suspended of practicing medicine and involuntarily admitted to a psychiatric unit after being found barricaded in his home with 19 firearms, threatening his family and violating a restraining order, according to a suspension summary issued by the Department of Health's Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline.
This is the latest in a string of medical and legal violations committed by Paolella beginning in 2003. He was first charged in 2003 with "willfully making false entries in patient records" at Haven Health Center in Greenville, RI. He was issued a reprimand and required to attend an Ethics and Professionalism program at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine.
In September of 2006, Paolella appeared before the Board to answer allegations by a female patient regarding boundary violations. A resulting forensic mental health evaluation recommended that Paolella receive psychotherapy and that his medial practice be overseen by the RI Medical Society Physician Health Committee (PHC). After failing to cooperate with the PHC and his counselor, the Board ordered a five-year monitoring agreement over Paolella.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTIn October, 2010, Paolella was arrested for marijuana possession. The charges were dismissed after payment of court costs. Furthermore, in 2011 the Board learned that Paolella had been providing prescription for controlled substances to a patient without complete medical records on file at his office. He then began appearing unannounced at physicians offices requesting assistance with his practice and leaving desperate notes behind.
Based on these violations, the Director of Health has determined Paolella a threat to the health, welfare, and safety of the public. His suspension will remain in full effect until further action by the Board. Paolella may request a hearing on the matter to be scheduled by April 29, 2011.
