Convicted former U of M doctor permanently loses license

The medical license of former University of Michigan pediatric rheumatologist Mark Franklin Hoeltzel was permanently revoked earlier this month after multiple criminal sexual conduct convictions and inappropriate interactions with patients, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced today in coordination with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

The Board of Medicine’s Disciplinary Subcommittee accepted a consent agreement and stipulation on Jan. 15, 2020 to permanently revoke Hoeltzel’s license and fined him $50,000. The order was served Jan. 16, 2020, and the matter is now closed.

The Attorney General’s office issued an administrative complaint against Hoeltzel on May 15, 2019, following his federal conviction for coercion and enticement of a minor, and his state convictions for second- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

“Mr. Hoeltzel repeatedly violated the law and left behind a trail of victims,” Nessel said. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with our partners at LARA to ensure that Mr. Hoeltzel never practices medicine again.”

In addition to permanently losing his medical license, Hoeltzel was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the federal charge, 60 months to 15 years in prison for second-degree criminal sexual conduct, and 13 months to two years for fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. All sentences are to be served concurrently.

“Our LARA team took appropriate and immediate steps to protect the public once being made aware of the licensee’s harmful actions,” said LARA Director Orlene Hawks. “We appreciate the efforts of the Attorney General’s office that helped lead to the permanent revocation of Hoeltzel’s license. His actions were unconscionable and he will never be able to obtain a medical license in Michigan.”

Hoeltzel’s license was summarily suspended in December 2017 based on allegations that he had a sexual relationship with a patient and exchanged inappropriate messages with a minor. Additional allegations against Hoeltzel surfaced the following year, leading the Attorney General’s office to file a superseding complaint on March 28, 2018. The additional allegations involved Hoeltzel’s inappropriate interactions with two patients he treated while working at a pediatric rheumatology clinic in Missouri.

In June 2018, the disciplinary subcommittee accepted a consent agreement and stipulation taking disciplinary action against Hoeltzel which, at that time, included a three-year revocation of his medical license.