Texas Medical Board doesn't discipline former Duluth neurosurgeon

The Texas Medical Board declined to take action against former St. Luke’s hospital neurosurgeon Stefan Konasiewicz during its most recent meeting in early June, allowing the physician to practice medicine in that state with no restrictions.

The News Tribune reported in late May that from 2005 to 2009, Konasiewicz and St. Luke’s paid more than $3.2 million to settle five malpractice suits accusing him of wrongful death and seriously harming patients.

Some of those incidents were cited in a disciplinary action last fall by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice, which ordered him to have a preapproved supervising physician specializing in neurological surgery observe at least five of his surgeries per quarter, and to have that physician submit quarterly reports to the board regarding Konasiewicz’s overall work. He also was ordered to meet quarterly with a designated board member and review his progress.

However, Konasiewicz by then had moved to Corpus Christi, Texas, where he is also licensed, and where he does not have to comply with restrictions on his Minnesota license to practice.

If a doctor relocates to Texas, that state’s medical board typically adopts the disciplinary actions and sanctions imposed by a previous state, Leigh Hopper, a spokeswoman for the Texas Medical Board told the News Tribune. But that did not happen and as far as Texas is concerned, Konasiewicz has a clear medical license with no restrictions, Hopper said.

Ruth Martinez of the Minnesota board said Tuesday she was prohibited from disclosing whether Konasiewicz was complying with the terms of the disciplinary action.

Hopper said the Texas Medical Board will meet again Aug. 25-26.

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