The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners has enacted an immediate suspension of Dr. Hisbay Ali's license to practice psychiatry in Las Vegas following a series of serious allegations. The suspension, detailed in an order dated October 11, 2024, from the Las Vegas Review-Journal, cites risks to the "health, safety and welfare of the public." The Board discovered that Ali not only engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient but also illegally prescribed controlled substances and failed to disclose past criminal activities, including a domestic violence arrest in 2022 and a DUI arrest after a crash this April.
According to the suspension order, Ali initiated "an inappropriate conversation to seduce (her) into a sexual relationship with him" with one of his patients in mid-March 2022. This behavior escalated despite the patient's clear desire to terminate contact. He continued sending messages and personal deliveries like letters and flowers to her home — actions characterized as threatening by the investigative committee. As further action awaits with an upcoming hearing, Sarah Bradley, the board’s deputy executive director, explained that emergency suspensions such as these are rare, emphasizing the board's urgent response to a potential continued risk posed by Ali's continued practice, as reported by the Review-Journal.
The Nevada Business publication highlights the significance of the committee's decision, indicating that the board only uses summary suspension in extreme situations. The October 16, 2024, details from the board explain that their action was driven by Dr. Ali's cumulative record of misconduct. Edward Cousineau, the executive director of the board, stated, "The investigative committee, based on a cumulative record of misconduct, was compelled to suspend Dr. Ali’s medical license because of the clear potential for continued harm to the citizens of Nevada."
Dr. Ali is currently barred from practicing medicine in Nevada pending the board's further order. His attorney, Richard Schonfeld, has indicated that Ali intends to "address the allegations at the appropriate time and in the appropriate forum." A rescheduled status hearing related to Ali's license suspension is set for February 7, 2025, which is an important juncture at which the hearing officer will recommend further action to the investigative committee. This follows an agreement to postpone a previously scheduled status hearing originally set for November 4, as noted by the Review-Journal.
Ali's medical career in Nevada began when he was first licensed by the board in 2020. The Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners prioritizes public safety by ensuring that licensed practitioners are well-qualified and competent. They are responsible for taking expedient action against licensed professionals who fail to adhere to medical and ethical standards, thus maintaining the integrity of medical practice within the state.
