La Mesa cardiologist Dr. Michael H. Michalski Jr. is staring down the possible suspension or revocation of his California medical license after state regulators filed a formal accusation tied to a 2023 drunk‑driving crash. The case traces back to a July 2023 incident in which his car hit a tree while a child was reportedly sitting on his lap. Michalski later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment and driving under the influence, receiving a two‑year probation term and an order to complete a Mothers Against Drunk Driving program. With a prior disciplinary record already on file, the new action has put the veteran heart doctor under fresh scrutiny from state regulators.
Accusation and criminal outcome
The Medical Board of California lodged its formal accusation last Thursday, outlining the crash and the resulting criminal case. That case wrapped up with Michalski’s guilty pleas to misdemeanor child endangerment and DUI, along with a sentence of two years of probation and participation in a MADD program, according to CBS 8. The board’s filing also notes that Alvarado Hospital cut ties with Michalski after the crash, a step regulators flagged as part of the disciplinary record. In its accusation, the board asks whether his conduct merits suspending or revoking his license.
Crash scene and what happened
According to the medical board’s accusation, the July 12, 2023, collision occurred while Michalski’s vehicle was traveling about 35 miles per hour before it slammed into a tree, with a child positioned on his lap in the driver’s seat. The document states that he appeared intoxicated at the scene and registered a breath‑alcohol concentration of 0.155, and that he told deputies he had been "teaching the child to drive" when he lost control of the car, as reported by CBS 8. Those details form the factual backbone of both his criminal plea and the medical board’s current disciplinary push.
Past findings and hospital privileges
Michalski’s professional record already carried a significant blemish before the crash. In 2008, the Medical Board issued findings detailing inappropriate conduct toward a female staff member, and in 2013, a state appellate court rejected his challenge to a hospital’s decision to deny him privileges, according to Justia. The court documents and board findings describe conduct that hospital panels and regulators viewed as serious enough to influence credentialing decisions. That history is now being cited by regulators as they weigh whether the new allegations raise ongoing concerns about patient safety.
How the board process works
Once the Medical Board files an accusation, it triggers a formal administrative process that can result in outcomes ranging from a public reprimand to suspension or permanent revocation of a doctor’s license, according to the Medical Board of California. Board materials note that many cases are resolved through negotiated settlements, but more serious or contested matters can proceed to a hearing before an administrative law judge. Patients who want to know where a case stands can look up a provider’s status using the license‑verification tool on the Medical Board of California website, which lists current licenses and any posted administrative actions.
Legal implications
An accusation is a public legal document and, if it goes to a full hearing, the Office of Administrative Hearings oversees proceedings that function much like a bench trial, with witnesses, exhibits, and legal arguments presented to an administrative law judge. Depending on the outcome, Michalski could face formal limits on his ability to practice in California, including probation with conditions, outright suspension, or revocation, along with potential civil exposure connected to the crash itself. The process also gives him a chance to dispute the allegations or negotiate a settlement. Whatever the board ultimately decides is subject to appeal, and the Office of Administrative Hearings provides public resources that walk licensees and the public through the process.
