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Houston doctor suspended for alleged cocaine use
A Houston Methodist doctor who had his medical license suspended because the State Board says he was under the influence during surgeries, also has a criminal record. FOX 26's Damali Keith has more details on the shocking story.
HOUSTON - The Houston Methodist doctor, who had his medical license suspended because the state board says he was under the influence during surgeries, also has a criminal record.
Dr. Nathan Robert Starke, who practiced in the Texas Medical Center, tested positive for cocaine, according to the Texas Medical Board, back in October 2024.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Texas Medical Board temporarily suspends Houston surgeon after he tested positive for cocaine
This was after the board says Starke was working as a Houston Methodist Hospital Urologist when they say in August and in September 2024, he participated in several surgeries while appearing impaired.
Nathan Starke
"Before he can go back into the operating room, he's going to have to prove that he is substance-free. Substance abuse is a medical problem," says FOX 26 Legal Analyst Chris Tritico.
Dr. Starke's medical practice is now listed as permanently closed.
Before Starke had his medical license suspended, he was arrested last year and charged with assaulting his girlfriend, allegedly shoving her to the ground and chipping her tooth.
The doctor was also arrested in 2017 and 2007 for driving while intoxicated.
"That is probably something that the medical board would call him in and make him take counseling over," Tritico said.
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In August 2024, the state medical board says the Baylor College of Medicine med school graduate performed a surgical biopsy on a patient's prostate and showed signs of impairment.
In September 2024, Houston Methodist suspended Dr. Starke after he "was absent for all but the last three minutes of a surgery for which he was the attending physician," and a state board document says Starke tested positive for cocaine and Kratom in October 2024.
The state has now temporarily suspended Starke's medical license, stating his "continued practice of medicine poses a continuing threat to public welfare."
"They will probably order him to go to a pre-approved treatment facility and then after he successfully completes the treatment, he'll be in a monitoring situation, I would guess, for several years of monitoring, to ensure his patients are safe," Tritico explained.
So are lawsuits likely?
"It's very hard in Texas to prove medical malpractice because the law is such that doctors and hospitals are protected under many, many circumstances. You have to prove the doctor was impaired when he was operating on you. Then, you have to prove that impaired status caused you harm," explains Tritico.
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Houston Methodist Hospital released a statement saying only that Dr. Starke is no longer employed by Methodist.
If you believe your doctor or medical professional is practicing while impaired, go to the Texas Medical Board web page and file a complaint.
The Source: FOX 26 Reporter Damali Keith spoke with FOX 26 Legal Analyst Chris Tritico about the doctor's suspension.