STATE OF MAINE

BOARD OF OSTEOPATHIC LICENSURE

)
In Re: PAUL GOSSELIN, D.O. ) NOTICE OF SUSPENSION
)

SUSPENSION OF LICENSE TO PRACTICE

On November 18, 2021, the Board of Osteopathic Licensure reviewed multiple COVID-
19 exemption letters signed by Paul Gosselin, D.O. (hereafter “Dr. Gosselin”) as well as provider
reports concerned with Dr. Gosselin’s spread of misinformation regarding COVID-19.
Following review, the Board deemed that Dr. GOSSELIN has engaged in conduct that
constitutes fraud or deceit pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 2591-A(2)(A), incompetence pursuant to 32
M.R.S. 2591-A(2)(E) and unprofessional conduct pursuant to 32 M.R.S. § 2591-A(2)(F).
Therefore, the Board hereby ORDERS THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF THE LICENSE
OF DR. GOSSELIN TO PRACTICE OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE WHICH INCLUDES
PRESCRIBING.

This suspension is issued pursuant to 5 M.R.S. §10004(3). The license of DR. PAUL
GOSSELIN is suspended immediately today for a 30-day period ending at 11:59 p.m. on
December 18, 2021, pending further board action at an adjudicatory hearing.
Dr. GOSSELIN must immediately cease practicing osteopathic medicine and arrange for
the care of patients by another medical provider. Dr. GOSSELIN is not authorized to act as
supervising physician for any physician extender.

Copies of the referenced statutes are attached.

Date: November 19, 2021 STATE OF MAINE

BOARD OF OSTEOPATHIC LICENSURE

By:
Executive Secretary
 MRS Title 32, §2591-A. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

§2591-A. Disciplinary actions

1. Disciplinary proceedings and sanctions. The board shall investigate a complaint, on its own
motion or upon receipt of a written complaint filed with the board, regarding noncompliance with or
violation of this chapter or of rules adopted by the board.
The board shall notify the licensee of the content of a complaint filed against the licensee as soon as
possible, but, absent unusual circumstances justifying delay, not later than 60 days from receipt of this
information. The licensee shall respond within 30 days. The board shall share the licensee's response
with the complainant, unless the board determines that it would be detrimental to the health of the
complainant to obtain the response. If the licensee's response to the complaint satisfies the board that
the complaint does not merit further investigation or action, the matter may be dismissed, with notice
of the dismissal to the complainant, if any.
If, in the opinion of the board, the factual basis of the complaint is or may be true, and the complaint is
of sufficient gravity to warrant further action, the board may request an informal conference with the
licensee. The board shall provide the licensee with adequate notice of the conference and of the issues
to be discussed. The complainant may attend and may be accompanied by up to 2 individuals, including
legal counsel. The conference must be conducted in executive session of the board, pursuant to Title
1, section 405, unless otherwise requested by the licensee. Before the board decides what action to take
at the conference or as a result of the conference, the board shall give the complainant a reasonable
opportunity to speak. Statements made at the conference may not be introduced at a subsequent formal
hearing unless all parties consent.
When a complaint has been filed against a licensee and the licensee moves or has moved to another
state, the board may report to the appropriate licensing board in that state the complaint that has been
filed, other complaints in the licensee's record on which action was taken and disciplinary actions of
the board with respect to that licensee.
When an individual applies for a license under this chapter, the board may investigate the professional
record of that individual, including professional records that the individual may have as a licensee in
other states. The board may deny a license or authorize a restricted license based on the record of the
applicant in other states.
If the board finds that the factual basis of the complaint is true and is of sufficient gravity to warrant
further action, it may take any of the following actions it considers appropriate:
A. With the consent of the licensee, enter into a consent agreement that fixes the period and terms
of probation best adapted to protect the public health and safety and to rehabilitate or educate the
licensee. A consent agreement may be used to terminate a complaint investigation, if entered into
by the board, the licensee and the Attorney General's office; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181
(AMD).]
B. In consideration for acceptance of a voluntary surrender of the license, negotiate stipulations,
including terms and conditions for reinstatement, that ensure protection of the public health and
safety and that serve to rehabilitate or educate the licensee. These stipulations may be set forth
only in a consent agreement signed by the board, the licensee and the Attorney General's office;
[PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181 (AMD).]
C. If the board concludes that modification or nonrenewal of the license is in order, the board shall
hold an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the provisions of Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter
IV; or [PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. B, §2 (AMD).]
D. If the board concludes that suspension or revocation of the license is in order, the board shall
file a complaint in the District Court in accordance with Title 4, chapter 5. [PL 1999, c. 547, Pt.
B, §64 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §80 (AFF).]

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 MRS Title 32, §2591-A. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

[PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §64 (AMD); PL 1999, c. 547, Pt. B, §80 (AFF).]
2. Grounds for discipline. The board may suspend or revoke a license pursuant to Title 5, section
10004. The following are grounds for an action to refuse to issue, modify, restrict, suspend, revoke or
refuse to renew the license of an individual licensed under this chapter:
A. The practice of fraud or deceit in obtaining a license under this chapter or in connection with
service rendered within the scope of the license issued; [PL 1983, c. 378, §38 (NEW).]
B. Misuse of alcohol, drugs or other substances that has resulted or may result in the licensee
performing services in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the licensee's patients; [PL
2013, c. 105, §6 (AMD).]
C. A professional diagnosis of a mental or physical condition that has resulted or may result in the
licensee performing the licensee's duties in a manner that endangers the health or safety of the
licensee's patients; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181 (AMD).]
D. Aiding or abetting the practice of osteopathic medicine by an individual not duly licensed under
this chapter and who claims to be legally licensed; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181 (AMD).]
E. Incompetence in the practice for which the licensee is licensed. A licensee is considered
incompetent in the practice if the licensee has:
(1) Engaged in conduct that evidences a lack of ability or fitness to discharge the duty owed
by the licensee to a client or patient or the general public; or
(2) Engaged in conduct that evidences a lack of knowledge, or inability to apply principles or
skills to carry out the practice for which the licensee is licensed; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A,
§181 (AMD).]
F. Unprofessional conduct. A licensee is considered to have engaged in unprofessional conduct if
the licensee violates a standard of professional behavior that has been established in the practice
for which the licensee is licensed; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181 (AMD).]
G. Subject to the limitations of Title 5, chapter 341, conviction of a crime that involves dishonesty
or false statement or that relates directly to the practice for which the licensee is licensed, or
conviction of a crime for which incarceration for one year or more may be imposed; [PL 1993, c.
600, Pt. A, §181 (AMD).]
H. A violation of this chapter or a rule adopted by the board; [PL 1993, c. 600, Pt. A, §181
(AMD).]
I. Engaging in false, misleading or deceptive advertising; [PL 1983, c. 378, §38 (NEW).]
J. Advertising, practicing or attempting to practice under a name other than one's own; [PL 1983,
c. 378, §38 (NEW).]
K. [PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. B, §4 (RP).]
L. Division of professional fees not based on actual services rendered; [PL 1997, c. 680, Pt. B,
§5 (AMD).]
M. Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 24, section 2905‑A; [PL 2015, c. 488, §14
(AMD).]
N. Revocation, suspension or restriction of a license to practice medicine or other disciplinary
action; denial of an application for a license; or surrender of a license to practice medicine following
the institution of disciplinary action by another state or a territory of the United States or a foreign
country if the conduct resulting in the disciplinary or other action involving the license would, if
committed in this State, constitute grounds for discipline under the laws or rules of this State; [PL
2019, c. 165, §9 (AMD).]

2 | §2591-A. Disciplinary actions

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 MRS Title 32, §2591-A. DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

O. Failure to comply with the requirements of Title 22, section 7253; or [PL 2019, c. 165, §10
(AMD).]
P. A violation of section 2600‑D. [PL 2019, c. 165, §11 (NEW).]
[PL 2019, c. 165, §9-11 (AMD).]
3. Report. By March 1st of each year, the board shall submit to the Legislature a report consisting
of statistics on the following for the preceding year:
A. The number of complaints against licensees received from the public or filed on the board's
own motion; [PL 1989, c. 462, §7 (NEW).]
B. The number of complaints dismissed for lack of merit or insufficient evidence of grounds for
discipline; [PL 1989, c. 462, §7 (NEW).]
C. The number of cases in process of investigation or hearing carried over at year end; and [PL
1989, c. 462, §7 (NEW).]
D. The number of disciplinary actions finalized during the report year as tabulated and categorized
by the annual statistical summary of the Physician Data Base of the Federation of State Medical
Boards of the United States, Inc. [PL 1989, c. 462, §7 (NEW).]
[PL 1989, c. 462, §7 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1983, c. 378, §38 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 291, §§2,3 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 462, §7 (AMD). PL
1993, c. 600, §A181 (AMD). PL 1997, c. 680, §§B2-7 (AMD). PL 1999, c. 547, §B64 (AMD).
PL 1999, c. 547, §B80 (AFF). PL 2013, c. 105, §6 (AMD). PL 2015, c. 488, §§14-16 (AMD).
PL 2019, c. 165, §§9-11 (AMD).

The State of Maine claims a copyright in its codified statutes. If you intend to republish this material, we require that you include
the following disclaimer in your publication:
All copyrights and other rights to statutory text are reserved by the State of Maine. The text included in this publication reflects
changes made through the Second Regular Session of the 129th Maine Legislature and is current through October 1, 2020. The
text is subject to change without notice. It is a version that has not been officially certified by the Secretary of State. Refer to the
Maine Revised Statutes Annotated and supplements for certified text.
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes also requests that you send us one copy of any statutory publication you may produce. Our
goal is not to restrict publishing activity, but to keep track of who is publishing what, to identify any needless duplication and to
preserve the State's copyright rights.

PLEASE NOTE: The Revisor's Office cannot perform research for or provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the
public. If you need legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.

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 MRS Title 5, §10004. ACTION WITHOUT HEARING

§10004. Action without hearing

Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 10003 and 10051, an agency may revoke, suspend or
refuse to renew any license without proceedings in conformity with subchapters IV or VI, when: [PL
1977, c. 694, §38 (RPR).]
1. Judicial action. The decision to take that action rests solely upon a finding or conviction in
court of any violation which by statute is expressly made grounds for revocation;
[PL 1977, c. 694, §38 (NEW).]
2. Reciprocal license. The Maine license has been issued upon the basis of a reciprocal agreement
with another government, and the Maine action is based upon evidence, in the form of a certified copy,
that the authority issuing the license which provided the basis for reciprocal licensing in Maine has
revoked or suspended their license;
[PL 1977, c. 694, §38 (NEW).]
3. Health or safety hazard. The health or physical safety of a person or the continued well-being
of a significant natural resource is in immediate jeopardy at the time of the agency's action, and acting
in accordance with subchapter 4 or 6 would fail to adequately respond to a known risk, as long as the
revocation, suspension or refusal to renew does not continue for more than 30 days, except as provided
in Title 22, section 804 and subject to review under Title 22, section 804, subsection 3;
[PL 2021, c. 349, §1 (AMD).]
4. Certified inspector. The action is based solely upon the physical test, examination or inspection
by a state-certified inspector of any product, animal, material or equipment, from which the agency
concludes that action in accordance with subchapter IV or VI would not adequately protect public
health or safety, provided that action under this subsection shall not be effective for a period of more
than 30 days.
[PL 1977, c. 694, §38 (NEW).]
4-A. Gambling. The action is based on a violation of laws or rules at gambling facilities that are
cited by the Department of Public Safety, Gambling Control Board, established pursuant to Title 8,
chapter 31, or the Gambling Control Board or its designees determine that acting in accordance with
subchapters 4 and 6 would fail to serve the public interest; however, the suspension, revocation or
refusal to renew may not continue for more than 30 days.
[PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. A, §1 (NEW); PL 2003, c. 687, Pt. B, §11 (AFF).]
5. Rules of sportsmanship. In the course of any professional sporting event directly regulated by
an agency, the agency determines that a licensee has:
A. Engaged in physical contact that is prohibited by the rules of the sport with another contestant
or official immediately before, during or immediately after the regulated sporting event; [PL 2017,
c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]
B. Engaged in a use or administration of drugs that is prohibited by the rules of the sport; [PL
2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]
C. Failed to disclose to proper authorities or officials a known medical or mental condition of a
contestant that was required to be disclosed or that could affect the public health and safety; or [PL
2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]
D. Failed to fulfill contracts or obligations to make payments to contestants and officials for their
participation in professional athletic events. [PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]
The revocation, suspension or refusal to renew a license for a violation described in this subsection may
not continue for more than 30 days; or
[PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]

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 MRS Title 5, §10004. ACTION WITHOUT HEARING

6. Horse racing. Violations of rules which occur at race tracks and cited by a commission, or its
licensed designee, if acting in accordance with subchapters IV and VI would fail to immediately remedy
the needs of the sport; provided that the revocation, suspension or refusal to renew shall not continue
for more than 30 days.
[PL 1977, c. 694, §38 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1977, c. 551, §3 (NEW). PL 1977, c. 694, §38 (RPR). PL 2003, c. 687, §A1 (AMD). PL
2003, c. 687, §B11 (AFF). PL 2017, c. 475, Pt. C, §2 (AMD). PL 2021, c. 349, §1 (AMD).

The State of Maine claims a copyright in its codified statutes. If you intend to republish this material, we require that you include
the following disclaimer in your publication:
All copyrights and other rights to statutory text are reserved by the State of Maine. The text included in this publication reflects
changes made through the First Special Session of the 130th Maine Legislature and is current through October 31, 2021. The text
is subject to change without notice. It is a version that has not been officially certified by the Secretary of State. Refer to the Maine
Revised Statutes Annotated and supplements for certified text.
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes also requests that you send us one copy of any statutory publication you may produce. Our
goal is not to restrict publishing activity, but to keep track of who is publishing what, to identify any needless duplication and to
preserve the State's copyright rights.

PLEASE NOTE: The Revisor's Office cannot perform research for or provide legal advice or interpretation of Maine law to the
public. If you need legal assistance, please contact a qualified attorney.

2 | §10004. Action without hearing

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