FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Friday, February 20, 2015

MASSACHUSETTS BOARD OF MEDICINE TAKES DISCIPLINARY ACTION

WAKEFIELD: At its meeting on February 19, 2015, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine took disciplinary action against the medical licenses of Jafar Koupaie, M.D., Lisa M. Cohen, M.D. and Halbert B. Miller, M.D.,

In a Consent Order, the Board reprimanded Dr. Jafar Koupaie for being convicted of one misdemeanor count of Threats to Commit a Crime. Dr. Koupaie was also required to enter into a Probation Agreement that requires him to complete an intensive course in anger management and six professional development credits focusing on professionalism. Dr. Koupaie is a 1971 graduate of the University of Pahlavi Faculty of Medicine in Iran and is certified by the American Board of Dermatology. He has been licensed in Massachusetts since 1985. He currently works in a private practice in Brookline.

In another matter, Dr. Lisa M. Cohen agreed in a Consent Order to be admonished by the Board for failing to disclose on her license renewal application that she had been charged with a criminal offense. Dr. Cohen is a 1989 graduate of the University of Vermont College of Medicine. She has been licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since 1994. Dr. Cohen is board-certified in Dermatology and Dermatopathology. Dr. Cohen is licensed in twenty-six states and is currently employed in Lexington.

The Board reprimanded and fined Dr. Halbert B. Miller through a Consent Order after Dr. Miller agreed that he had both practiced medicine while his license was lapsed and falsely stated on two license renewal forms that he was currently board-certified in addiction psychiatry. Dr. Miller graduated from Yale University School of Medicine in 1967. He was first licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts in 1969. He is board-certified in Psychiatry, with a subspecialty certification in Addiction Psychiatry. Dr. Miller currently practices in Colorado. He is also licensed in Nevada and North Dakota.

Additionally, at its meeting of February 5, 2015, the Board summarily suspended the medical license of Dr. Joseph F. Piazza after finding that he is a serious threat to the public health, safety and welfare. The Board alleges that Dr. Piazza was convicted of Conspiracy to Commit an Offense against the United States and sentenced to five years in federal prison. Dr. Piazza had the right to a hearing at the Division of Administrative Law Appeals within seven days. Dr. Piazza graduated from the University of Palermo Faculty of Medicine & Surgery in 1980 and has been licensed to practice medicine in Massachusetts since 2005. Dr. Piazza, an internist, last practiced in Florida.

The Massachusetts Board of Registration in Medicine licenses more than 40,000 physicians, osteopaths and acupuncturists. The Board was created in 1894 to protect the public health and safety by setting standards for the practice of medicine and ensuring that doctors who practice in the Commonwealth are appropriately qualified and competent. The Board investigates complaints and determines sanctions. More information is available at www.mass.gov/massmedboard, or you may contact Bridgette Sanders at (781) 876-8202.

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