Guidelines to assist physicians from a law enforcement perspective.

Joan Jerzak, BA, MS
Chief of Enforcement (Retired)
Medical Board of California

Joan's Bio

Chief of Enforcement (Retired)

Medical Baord of California

Joan Jerzak holds BA and MS degrees in criminal justice
from California State University at Sacramento. Her 28
year career in law enforcement focused on the investigation
of complaints involving health care practitioners.

Estimates place the U.S. number of physicians at 800,000 and
approximately 1/8 of them practice in California. As Chief of
Enforcement for the Medical Board of California, she
possesses a unique vantage allowing her to view physicians
on a statewide basis from the complainant perspective.

She was responsible for board investigations from the
complaint intake and through the field investigation
process. She negotiated settlements during the
disciplinary process, and was also responsible for the
supervision of physicians who were placed on probation.
She brings her knowledge and experience to assist
physicians in understanding the variety of issues brought
to the board’s attention and suggests how physicians
can improve their medical practices.

During her career, Joan developmened curriculum
and implemented quality training programs for
board investigators and physicians. Her dynamic
presentation skills led her in new directions as she
was invited to speak to other state and federal law
enforcement agencies about the unique issues
surrounding health care complaints. Joan utilizes case
histories to illustrate how some physicians have fallen
below the community standard. She is noted for her
clear common sense approach to board investigations
and has been well received by physician groups who
have heard her presentations.

In 2006, Joan was honored for her work and dedication
in the area of pain management and received two awards;
the Presidential Commendation for Exceptional Service for
People with Pain from the American Academy of Pain
Medicine; and the Hamilton Davis Award for Public Service
to Those in Pain from the University of California Davis,
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine.