Houston (Aiexpress) – According to a press release from the Texas Medical Board, a surgeon has been temporarily suspended without notice.
Officials stated that Nathan Robert Starke, a urologist, constituted a continuous threat to public safety.
According to officials, the Medical Board determined that Starke underwent many procedures in August and September 2024 despite looking to be impaired.
According to the report, on August 19, Starke performed a surgical biopsy of a patient’s prostate. The doctor apparently met with the patient prior to the procedure that day and demonstrated indicators of impairment.
Then, in September 2024, Houston Methodist suspended Starke for missing all but the last three minutes of a surgery in which he served as the attending physician, according to the report.
According to the report, Starke agreed to submit to regular drug and alcohol screenings as part of his suspension. Officials said Starke has been screening through Houston Methodist since at least 2023, following earlier suspensions due to impairment issues.
Then, roughly a month later, officials revealed that Starke had tested positive for cocaine.
Furthermore, the Texas Medical Board report states that Starke tested positive for Kratom on or around October 22, 2024.
We’re told Starke signed an Interim Monitoring Agreement with the Texas Medical Board but did not start testing.
Officials stated that a temporary suspension hearing with notice will be held as soon as possible, with 10 days’ notice to Starke, unless the hearing is waived.
The temporary suspension will be in effect until the board takes additional action, officials said.
