A Solana Beach emergency physician, Ariana Dillman, has been ordered to submit to random drug and alcohol testing and to attend a substance-abuse support group after state regulators said she showed signs of impairment while on duty. The Medical Board of California filed an accusation in March, and the physician's hospital privileges were suspended after an on-shift incident in June 2025.
State the accusation details the incident
In a March 5 accusation, the Medical Board of California alleges Dillman exhibited behaviors consistent with intoxication or impairment, including but not limited to, slurred speech, droopy eyelids, and erratic behavior and that she refused a requested drug test during the June incident. The board's filing also records a psychiatrist's diagnosis of alcohol use disorder and states she used controlled substances or alcoholic beverages to the extent they impaired her ability to practice safely. The accusations are listed on the board's public docket.
Restrictions, employer response and reaction
Under the restrictions outlined in the accusation, Dillman must submit to random alcohol and drug testing, abstain from controlled substances and attend a substance-abuse support group. The board says she may continue treating patients only if she complies with those terms. Her employer suspended her privileges during the investigation, according to local reporting.
Consumer Watchdog advocate Michele Monserratt-Ramos told KGTV, "There should really be stricter standards for physicians that are found under the influence while in a hospital setting while practicing." A listing on WebMD identifies Dillman as an emergency medicine physician affiliated with local hospitals.
How to check a physician's license and what comes next
Patients who want to review the board's public records can search license profiles and enforcement actions on the Medical Board of California license verification page for details about accusations, restrictions and case status. An accusation is an administrative step, not a criminal conviction, and can lead to hearings, probationary terms or other discipline depending on the outcome of board proceedings.
Local coverage noted that Dillman and her attorney did not return requests for comment. The board's docket will show whether a hearing is scheduled. Hoodline will monitor state filings and local reporting for updates to the case and any formal disciplinary decisions.
