Directory to sections on this page -
An Emmitsburg doctor, Dr. Grace Ziem, has surrendered her license to practice medicine after being found guilty of illegally writing, using and dispensing prescriptions. Charges of being intoxicated on the job have been dropped against her in exchange for surrendering her license. Ziem, a toxicologist, defended the unauthorized prescription writing that has ended her specialty medicine practice.
On Dec. 11, the board issued Ziem an emergency order suspending her license after reports of drinking on the job, writing prescriptions for her husband and using some of his prescriptions. Rather than appeal the board's suspension, Ziem agreed to surrender her license in exchange for the amended record, removing the intoxication charge. She said she did not want the board to contact all of her patients to inform them of the charges against her.
Originally, the board said it had sufficient evidence from witnesses and toxicology reports that Ziem was "habitually intoxicated" in her Emmitsburg office. Other evidence the board had against her included her ordering controlled dangerous substances "for her personal use ... and/or for dispensing to family, friends, or patients without a permit to dispense prescription drugs," the order stated.
Ziem said on April 22 that she surrendered her license to practice medicine, with some doubt about why her 30-year career had to end. Several patients who said Ziem has been the best doctor to manage the effects they have from exposure to toxic chemicals expressed dismay that the Maryland Board of Physicians would punish her so severely. She notified the board of her decision not to appeal in a letter dated March 31. She agreed that she would never seek to obtain a license to practice medicine in Maryland again.
The medical board began its investigation after it was notified by the Frederick County Sheriff's Office, which was called several times in the past two years to Ziem's house because of disputes between her and her husband. Ziem said she is not sure why the board began its investigation. "The board concluded that the public health, safety, or welfare imperatively requires emergency action," the board said in December. She has no malpractice judgments against her and no malpractice settlements, according to board records.
Ziem has had a license to practice since 1975. She received her medical degree from the University of Kansas College of Medicine and a Master of Science and a doctorate in public health from Harvard University. She specialized in occupational and toxicology medicine in an office in the basement of her home, but she is not certified in a specialty recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties. The National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine online has 19 articles Ziem wrote or co-wrote about toxic conditions and responses.
Ziem said the prescription charges involved a misunderstanding about whether she could prescribe medicine for her husband and a time when she took a Valium pill from his prescription for herself. She denied ever being intoxicated while working and was relieved that the charge was removed from the board's final order. "I've never practiced under the influence, period," she said. She was found guilty of "self treatment or treatment of immediate family members."
She tested positive for and admitted taking a Valium pill from a prescription written for her husband in June 2015. She said she used it because she has nightmares associated with volunteer work she did from 1968 to 1970 to help civilians in South Vietnam. Ziem was ordered to surrender her medical license and the certificate that authorized her to write prescriptions and obtain prescription forms and pads. She is allowed to publish reports and consult with other doctors, who may seek her advice. "They can't take my degree away," she said.
She was acting as her husband's doctor, prescribing narcotic and other medications for chronic pain he suffers from the loss of a hand and a foot in an explosion 60 years ago, she said. She said she was not aware that a doctor is prohibited from writing prescriptions for a family member, though she agreed that that is not ideal. Ziem said she treated her husband because they could not find anyone else compassionate enough. The American Medical Association established a standard in 1993 that doctors should not treat family members, and the Maryland Board of Physicians follows AMA guidelines, said Stephen Johnson, in-house counsel for the Maryland State Medical Society. "I was the physician for my husband, and at the time I began doing that, it was legal," Ziem said. Ziem acknowledged that ignorance of medical board standards is not an excuse.
Ziem put a Frederick News-Post reporter in touch with several people who said they have been her patients. Some said they spent years searching for someone to diagnose the cause of their symptoms and treat them. They said Ziem has a gift for identifying the cause of their symptoms and getting them on nonpharmaceutical protocols that improve their health, even if some toxic exposure damage is irreversible. She prescribed supplements and she recommended environmental, life and diet changes more than drugs, they said. Some patients asked not to be identified because of court settlements or pending litigation involving their exposure to chemicals.
James Miller, of Maryland, said he has been Ziem's patient for 15 years. He said Ziem's protocol for his exposure to the industrial solvent trichloroethylene, or TCE, helped improve his health when no other doctor had. He last saw Ziem just before the December suspension and had planned to keep her as his doctor. "That was my entire worry, is that something would happen to her - be it her age or ... what would I do without her," Miller said.
Jackie T., a woman who said giving her last name might jeopardize a legal case related to her health, said Ziem helped her recover from the effects of toxic mold exposure and has treated her even when she could not afford to pay. She said she would risk her case and identify herself fully if that would help restore Ziem's credentials. "I really feel that I need to say this. I've been left with no doctor to turn to," the woman said. "She saved my life. ... I did not know where to turn. ... My life depends on her getting her license back." "She has dedicated her life to these patients who have been exposed," the woman said.
Sandy Batsios, of Maryland, one of Ziem's patients since 1997, has been treated for multiple chemical sensitivity. She regretted that people who experience symptoms of toxic chemical exposure would no longer have Ziem to treat them. "This is taking a specialty doctor away from patients who have to live this life after exposure," Batsios said. "I don't know who on Earth is going to be able to help me. She found a way."
Date April 28, 2016
From -
Dear Supporter,
We are pleased to announce that a medical practice in Boca Raton is now offering regenerative medicine strategies. The name of the new practice is LifeGaines Medical and Aesthetics Center and is operated by Richard Gaines, MD. It located at 3785 N Federal Highway Suite #150, Boca Raton, FL 33431. The professional service fee for the first visit is normally $395, but Dr. Gaines is discounting this down to $150 for members of our Age Reversal Network private association.
The first intervention is to assist in restoring cell energy balance that may include prescribing of AMPK activators like metformin when appropriate. The second step involves infusions or patches of NAD+ when appropriate to restore levels of this cell coenzyme to youthful ranges. After NAD+ is restored with infusions or patches, then it can be maintained with oral NAD+ precursors like nicotinamide riboside. Senolytic therapies are expected to be offered shortly after completion of AMPK activation and restoration of NAD+.
We then expect biologics like stem cell exosomes to become available as they are validated in ongoing clinical trials for safety and efficacy.
Before the initial visit to Dr. Gaines clinic, we urge that you have recent blood test results (including hormone panels) ready for Dr. Gaines's review.
Quest LifeExtension Your Low Price Age Management Panel $4,000 $895 $695
*Note this discounted price will take effect for all Life Extension's supporters beginning around April 1st and remain in effect until the beginning of June 2019.
Metformin is a generic drug that costs very little to purchase. Publix sometimes offers a free month's supply just to get you in their door to shop.
NAD+ infusions involve staff time, disposable tubing, saline bags and the cost of the NAD+ itself. There a doctors charging large amounts for these infusions (over $1,500 per infusion in some cases).
Dr. Gaines is normally charges $895 per 500 mg infusion that should be administered on a schedule like Monday-Wednesday-Friday. So the cost of these 3 infusions that should restore your NAD+ levels is $2685.
For members of our private association, Dr. Gaines is discounting this price down to $450 per NAD+ infusion, or a total of $1350 for the three infusions typically needed.
Some of you may consider NAD+ patches that research we helped fund showed equivalent plasma NAD+ increases compared to infusions. What we don't know is whether the patches provide the many benefits observed in small, proof-of-concept clinical trials using NAD+ infusions.
A pack of patches sufficient to elevate NAD+ levels cost only around $100. This is a large cost savings compared to NAD+ infusions, but we suspect infusions may offer greater benefits. Either patches or infusions require a prescription that Dr. Gaines can provide if appropriate.
We are diligently working on reducing the price of senolytics and expect within next several months to get the cost down to around $280 for a one-year or more treatment. This also requires a prescription.
The price of biologics like stem cell exosomes will be heavily negotiated to provide special people like you, i.e. members of our Age Reversal Network with discounted access. Some suppliers are willing to provide these at very low initial prices because they believe people will want to continue with them after they feel the youth restoring effects.
Our objective in making these interventions affordable is to gather as much before and after data, from as many people as possible. This enables us to evaluate real world improvements in clinical measures (such as reduced blood pressure), aging biomarkers (such as lower inflammation), and symptomatic improvements (better sleep/exercise endurance).
Here are steps you may consider to avail yourself to interventions that have long been advocated by the Age Reversal Network, but not readily available at local physicians' offices:
Comprehensive blood tests, either Age Management Panel or the lower price Male or Female Panel. These were described earlier in this email and can be ordered at discount prices at our special portal here.
Bring your blood test results (or email them to info@LifeGaines.com) for your initial visit with Dr. Gaines. He will likely address any obvious issues you may have such as hormone imbalances, elevated lipids/glycemic markers, and other festering pathologies your blood tests may reveal.
Two to three weeks on metformin or nutrient AMPK activating combinations if you do not tolerate metformin.
Three NAD infusions done in one week. Each infusion takes about 3-4 hours)
Senolytic therapy perhaps just once a year.
Stem cell exosomes perhaps administered monthly.
To make an appointment during business hours, call the LifeGaines clinic at 561-931-2430.
For 24-hour access, email: info@LifeGaines.com
Age Reveersal Network
An estimated 5.2 million people have Alzheimer's in the U.S.
200,000 younger than 65 have "younger onset Alzheimer's"
Alzheimer's is now the 3rd leading cause of death (up from 6th leading) in the U.S. after heart disease and cancer
Approximately 500,000 people die each year because they have Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's disease is the most expensive condition in the nation.
In 2014, the direct costs to American society of caring for those with Alzheimer's will total an estimated $214 billion, including $150 billion in costs to Medicare and Medicaid.
In 2013, 15.5 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $220 billion.
$2 billion a year over 10 years is needed, according to scientists, to see significant advancement in treatment and prevention.
\ES/
Follow the links below to learn more about RMEHA and Environmental Illness.