Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners Suspends License of Nashville Physician

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Department of Health announces that the Board of Medical Examiners has summarily suspended the license of Gardner L. Dixon, MD, of Nashville.

This summary suspension was the result of an investigation conducted by the Department of Health and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. As a result of the suspension, Dixon is immediately prohibited from practicing medicine in the state.

Dixon’s license was suspended for the following:

•prescribing or dispensing any drug to any individual without first having performed an appropriate physical examination; made a diagnosis based upon the examination and all tests consistent with good medical care; formulated a therapeutic plan and discussed it with the patient; and insured availability of appropriate follow-up care;

•unprofessional, dishonorable or unethical conduct;

•gross malpractice, or a pattern of continued or repeated malpractice, ignorance, negligence or incompetence in the course of medical practice;

•dispensing, prescribing or otherwise distributing any controlled substance or any other drug not in the course of professional practice, or not in good faith to relieve pain and suffering, or not to cure an ailment, or in amounts and/or for durations not medically necessary, advisable or justified for a diagnosed condition.

The suspension of Dixon’s license became effective November 10, 2008, and will remain in effect until and unless Dixon appears at an informal hearing on Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 5 p.m. At that time, the board will determine whether the suspension should remain in effect until a full hearing on this matter can be held.

Dixon was originally licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee in 1960.

Detailed information about disciplinary actions is available on the TDOH Web site at www.tennessee.gov/health. Click on "License Verification" and enter the name of the person. When the license information comes up, click on "Adverse Licensure Actions" and then "View Board Order."