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NEWARK –
The State Board of Medical Examiners (BME)
has suspended the license of a Teaneck dermatologist
for three years after finding that he sexually
groped nine female patients and also lied
when renewing his operating privileges at
two area hospitals.
The BME also permanently barred
Dr. Gangaram Ragi from ever treating female
patients again and ordered him to undergo
a psycho-sexual evaluation. Ragi has been
barred from treating any female patients since
2004.
“As disciplinary bodies,
our licensing boards act to ensure the safety
of the public,” Attorney General Anne
Milgram said. “The BME has taken action
in this matter to protect the health, safety
and welfare of the public.”
The license suspension is
active for one year, with the remaining two
years stayed. The BME can change the stayed
suspension to an active suspension if Ragi
violates terms of the BME’s order.
The BME found that Ragi groped
the breasts of nine female patients, one on
two separate occasions. He testified before
the BME that all of the women were mistaken.
Ragi previously had been indicted for criminal
sexual contact. He resolved that matter by
entering a Pretrial Intervention Program without
any plea of guilt.
The BME found that Ragi acted
dishonestly when he lied on privilege renewal
forms submitted to Hackensack University Medical
Center and Jacobi Medical Center in New York
City. Ragi had falsely entered ‘no’
when asked on the renewal forms if restrictions
had been placed on his license.
Ragi’s suspension will
begin on March 16 in order to provide his
patients with time to make alternate arrangements.
In addition to the suspension and evaluation,
Ragi also is required to reimburse the BME
for its investigative and legal costs.
Deputy Attorney General Kim
D. Ringler prosecuted the case.
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