NEWARK — A Lakewood doctor who is facing criminal charges that he improperly disposed of medical waste agreed today to voluntarily surrender his medical license to the State Board of Medical Examiners, Attorney General Peter C. Harvey and Acting Consumer Affairs Director Jeffrey Burstein announced.

The BME had been scheduled to hold a hearing this afternoon on an administrative complaint filed by the State against Dr. Flavius Thompson. In addition to improper disposal of medical waste, the complaint alleges the existence of unsafe and unsanitary conditions at Thompson's office and failure to comply with certain provisions of the Board's in-office anesthesiology regulations.

If the agreement to voluntarily surrender Thompson's license had not been reached, the BME was prepared to convene the hearing as scheduled. The BME deems the surrender of Thompson's medical license to be a temporary license suspension.

Thompson on January 24 voluntarily agreed to cease and desist from practicing medicine pending the outcome of today's scheduled hearing.

"The allegations in our complaint against Dr. Thompson directly touch on patient safety. Any suspicion that the safety of patients may be put at risk will result in our swift action to protect the public, as demonstrated in this matter," Attorney General Harvey said.

"Failure to follow regulations and procedures are serious allegations, ones which the Board of Medical Examiners will investigate on behalf of the public, " Acting Director Burstein added.

Thompson's license suspension remains in effect pending the resolution of all criminal charges against him and further order of the BME. Deputy Attorney General Tara Adams Ragone is representing the State in this matter.

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