Judge recommends Simi doctor not treat women
By Darleen Principe darleen@theacorn.com

A Simi Valley emergency room doctor will be prohibited from treating female patients if the Medical Board of California upholds a recommendation made by an administrative law judge on Sept. 4.

Dr. Shamim Amini of Moorpark, 34, appeared at an interim suspension hearing before Judge H. Stewart Waxman of the California Office of Administrative Hearings. The purpose of the hearing was to decide whether or not the physician should be allowed to practice medicine before the results of his administrative trial.

"It was a way of us saying we think he's a danger and shouldn't be practicing pending the outcome of his hearing," said Deputy Attorney General Cindy M. Lopez. "We asked for a full suspension but the judge doesn't have to grant that."

The doctor was arrested July 6 at Simi Valley Hospital after two women told police on separate occasions that they were sexually assaulted during routine emergency room visits. Amini was released from Ventura County Main Jail five days after his arrest because the district attorney's office said it was not ready to file charges against him.

Lopez said the judge's recommendation must be finalized by the Medical Board of California before it takes effect. The board can choose to follow the recommendation or enact a tougher penalty, she said.

According to Cindy Kouza of the Medical Board of California, a date has not yet been set for the administrative trial.

Jeremy Brewer, spokesperson for Simi Valley Hospital, had no further comment regarding Amini's case. In an official statement, the hospital had this to say:

"Dr. Amini no longer provides services at Simi Valley Hospital. Highquality care is our top priority at SVH. The medical staff of SVH is composed of dedicated physicians committed to taking care of this community. As a faithbased nonprofit hospital serving the community since 1965, SVH takes its responsibilities in providing quality healthcare services very seriously and will not tolerate inappropriate actions by our medical staff or employees."

Amini is due in court Oct. 9 for a preliminary criminal hearing.