Man who went to jail for impersonating a doctor at UCLA is now a real doctor

[Ms Procrastinator]

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When I first saw the title of the article, I wondered how he got into medical school in the first place. It made sense when I read the article though 🙄. It's slightly funny that he's trying to match into psychiatry. It sounds like he's having a bit of trouble getting a medical license though. I don't blame them for not trusting him.

Over 20 years ago the guy pretended to be a surgery resident, stole a parking pass and a keycard that gave him access to the doctors lounge, stole another doctor's identity to forge prescriptions, and forged a letter pretending to be the head of NBME claiming he scored 96th percentile on a board exam. I'd kinda (okay not really) understand if the guy had been some silly premed undergrad who did it for a day or something, but he was 26 and did it for around 6 months. They say he never went near patients, but I find it hard to believe. I don't trust that he learned much from his mistake though. He still lied about being a doctor after he got out of jail. He claimed to be a cardiologist when he met his now ex-wife.

The article explaining how he became a doctor

Article from when he got arrested

 

[Sephirakra]

It's been discussed here:

Arrested for impersonating a doctor now he's an actual doctor. Should he be able to match ?

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-06/adam-litwin-fake-doctor-becomes-md What a wild story. 20 years ago this man Adam Litwin was charged with impersonating a doctor. He attended surgery rounds and watched attendings perform procedures. He also forged prescriptions for...

forums.studentdoctor.net

And here:

Poor mans Frank Abagnale

https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-fake-doctor-becomes-md-20190422-story.html Me when they mention this guy is a Caribbean grad

forums.studentdoctor.net

And possibly elsewhere.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

It's been discussed here:

Arrested for impersonating a doctor now he's an actual doctor. Should he be able to match ?

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-08-06/adam-litwin-fake-doctor-becomes-md What a wild story. 20 years ago this man Adam Litwin was charged with impersonating a doctor. He attended surgery rounds and watched attendings perform procedures. He also forged prescriptions for...

forums.studentdoctor.net

And here:

Poor mans Frank Abagnale

https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-fake-doctor-becomes-md-20190422-story.html Me when they mention this guy is a Caribbean grad

forums.studentdoctor.net

And possibly elsewhere.

Never thought to check the med school forum

 

[907914]

Never thought to check the med school forum

Damn MED students and all their free time to discuss things. Us premeds are too busy with ECs to be up to date on current events /s

 

[DNAJB6]

I doubt anyone will ever give him a medical license. He shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a prescription pad. For those that don't want to read the article he obtained his MD from a school in the Caribbean. He still has not matched into residency or obtained a medical license from any state.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

He got his MD from a Carib diploma mill. He’s a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor.

 

[907914]

He got his MD from a Carib diploma mill.

So, we rag of Carib schools for their practices not the education they deliver. Students shouldn’t apply to them, yes, but once they are through it they are a doctor because the education portion, while mostly inadequate when compared to US, is valid as producing licensed MDs

He’s a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor.

This is fairly insulting to the thousands of physicians in the US who graduated Caribbean.

 

[ciestar]

So, we rag of Carib schools for their practices not the education they deliver. Students shouldn’t apply to them, yes, but once they are through it they are a doctor because the education portion, while mostly inadequate when compared to US, is valid as producing licensed MDs

This is fairly insulting to the thousands of physicians in the US who graduated Caribbean.

To be fair, this further proves why the carib schools are predatory. This guy stood no chance in US schools and no residency program wants him. His school doesn’t care, they got those tuition dollars.

 

[907914]

To be fair, this further proves why the carib schools are predatory. This guy stood no chance in US schools and no residency program wants him. His school doesn’t care, they got those tuition dollars.

Very true. The school doesn’t care. The guy didn’t deserve it. But that in no way invalidates the degree.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

So, we rag of Carib schools for their practices not the education they deliver. Students shouldn’t apply to them, yes, but once they are through it they are a doctor because the education portion, while mostly inadequate when compared to US, is valid as producing licensed MDs

This is fairly insulting to the thousands of physicians in the US who graduated Caribbean.

He didn’t go to even a Big 3 Carib school. He went to a school that literally would take anyone and then give them a piece of paper that is essentially worthless. Not all MDs are equal. Someone who goes to SGU or Ross is different, even if those schools are predatory as well.

As for not really being a doctor, he doesn’t have a license and isn’t likely to get one since he’s already been denied one. Is Andrew Wakefield still a doctor after getting his license taken away?

 

[ciestar]

Very true. The school doesn’t care. The guy didn’t deserve it. But that in no way invalidates the degree.

It sort of does invalidate his disgree as he will never be a practicing physician. What good is it to be an MD only on paper?

 

[907914]

He didn’t go to even a Big 3 Carib school. He went to a school that literally would take anyone and then give them a piece of paper that is essentially worthless. Not all MDs are equal. Someone who goes to SGU or Ross is different, even if those schools are predatory as well.

As for not really being a doctor, he doesn’t have a license and isn’t likely to get one since he’s already been denied one. Is Andrew Wakefield still a doctor after getting his license taken away?

Regardless big 3 or not, there are likely physicians in the US who trained at that school. Are they “about as much a doctor as Dr. Pepper”? Again, you are invalidating a legitimate pathway towards medicine. It is not a good pathway, it is a stupid route - but many people (unfortunately, but really) do it.

 

[907914]

It sort of does invalidate his disgree as he will never be a practicing physician. What good is it to be an MD only on paper?

He has his MD. He has the right to the title. He should never practice with patients, that’s where the failing to match is very beneficial, but the letters “MD” are not invalidated. He can’t do anything with them, but he has them.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

He has his MD. He has the right to the title. He should never practice with patients, that’s where the failing to match is very beneficial, but the letters “MD” are not invalidated. He can’t do anything with them, but he has them.

I still agree with what M935 said about him being a doctor like Dr. Pepper is a doctor. I'm not an insulting his degree or where he got it from but it's the facts. We all know he'll probably never be an actual doctor. While he did obtain an MD fair and square, he still isn't a doctor in the physician sense (you know what I mean). He still hasn't obtained a license to practice medicine, still hasn't matched into residency and will probably never be allowed to treat patients as a doctor. Right now he only has the title of doctor and he can't do jack with it. Just like Dr. Pepper. There's more to being a doctor than title, something this article never made clear.

 

[Goro]

Regardless big 3 or not, there are likely physicians in the US who trained at that school. Are they “about as much a doctor as Dr. Pepper”? Again, you are invalidating a legitimate pathway towards medicine. It is not a good pathway, it is a stupid route - but many people (unfortunately, but really) do it.

Chill, Memes. The comment was fit for that guy only.

 

[907914]

Chill, Memes. The comment was fit for that guy only.

I got that now. The only part that irks me is the “not all MDs are equal.” For this guy? It is not the degree that doesn’t make him a doctor...

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

All I can think of are his med school loans . Geeez louise how's he gonna deal with that! 😱

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Regardless big 3 or not, there are likely physicians in the US who trained at that school. Are they “about as much a doctor as Dr. Pepper”? Again, you are invalidating a legitimate pathway towards medicine. It is not a good pathway, it is a stupid route - but many people (unfortunately, but really) do it.

I actually seriously doubt there are many people practicing in the US who went to that school. But if there are any physicians practicing in the US from that school, then yes they are doctors. Because they have a license to practice medicine.

This unfortunate fellow does not and likely will not have a license to practice. So he has a piece of paper that is essentially worthless. He’s a “doctor” but who cares? It won’t get him anything.

 

[907914]

All I can think of are his med school loans . Geeez louise how's he gonna deal with that! 😱

He is likely going to find a job in Pharma that doesn’t look into or care about his background.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I got that now. The only part that irks me is the “not all MDs are equal.” For this guy? It is not the degree that doesn’t make him a doctor...

So if I open an MD school in my basement office, the degree I grant will be equal to an LCME accredited school?

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

The only part that irks me is the “not all MDs are equal.”

Tell that to residencies. A lot of IMGs would love if that were true.

 

[907914]

He’s a “doctor” but who cares? It won’t get him anything.

I’m a certified Priest in the Church of the Dude. That was enough for the states of Washington and Texas for me to officiate two weddings. You never know.

Also, if you wanna join the Church of the Dude:

Get Ordained for Free at the Religion of Dudeism

Get ordained for free at the world's most easygoing religion. Inspired by The Big Lebowski, Taoism, Zen and more.

dudeism.com

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

So if I open an MD school in my basement office, the degree I grant will be equal to an LCME accredited school?

Open one on a cruise ship 😍

 

[907914]

So if I open an MD school in my basement office, the degree I grant will be equal to an LCME accredited school?

Yah, I get it now

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

I’m a certified Priest in the Church of the Dude. That was enough for the states of Washington and Texas for me to officiate two weddings. You never know.

Also, if you wanna join the Church of the Dude:

Get Ordained for Free at the Religion of Dudeism

Get ordained for free at the world's most easygoing religion. Inspired by The Big Lebowski, Taoism, Zen and more.

dudeism.com

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I’m a certified Priest in the Church of the Dude. That was enough for the states of Washington and Texas for me to officiate two weddings. You never know.

Also, if you wanna join the Church of the Dude:

Get Ordained for Free at the Religion of Dudeism

Get ordained for free at the world's most easygoing religion. Inspired by The Big Lebowski, Taoism, Zen and more.

dudeism.com

Not the same. And the state recognizes that as legitimate so you aren’t in the same situation since you can actually use your piece of paper.

 

[907914]

View attachment 277705

It’s all about practicing good Will for each other and the Earth, Man. We practice as little as possible, preach the art of not preaching and just chill. If that doesn’t jive with you well...like...that’s just your opinion, man.

 

[907914]

Not the same. And the state recognizes that as legitimate so you aren’t in the same situation since you can actually use your piece of paper.

I love and hate that online certificate in a fake church dedicated to the big Lebowski > foreign medical degree....

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I love and hate that online certificate in a fake church dedicated to the big Lebowski > foreign medical degree....

I mean, it only is in this case because he’ll never be able to use his. If he could get a license and a residency, then his degree would be fine.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Also I totally got ordained online about 16 years ago and married a lesbian couple at a concert.

 

[907914]

Also I totally got ordained online about 16 years ago and married a lesbian couple at a concert.

Are you a fellow brother in the church of the Dude?

Also, we’re there any states that Lesbeans could get married 16 years ago?

Edit: lesbians*

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Are you a fellow brother in the church of the Dude?

Also, we’re there any states that Lesbeans could get married 16 years ago?

Edit: lesbians*

No to both lol. They also didn’t have a marriage license. Edit: possibly Massachusetts.

 

[907914]

No to both lol. They also didn’t have a marriage license. Edit: possibly Massachusetts.

No I think Massachusetts was 2006. Also, my church of the dude certificate was enough to legit marry people. They did have wedding licenses now. I married to soldiers in the barracks and I married to random people at the Seattle Comic-Con. They each had the paperwork on them lol

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

No I think Massachusetts was 2006. Also, my church of the dude certificate was enough to legit marry people. They did have wedding licenses now. I married to soldiers in the barracks and I married to random people at the Seattle Comic-Con. They each had the paperwork on them lol

Mine was legit enough to marry people too. The people who I ran into who wanted it just didn’t have the paperwork. But if they did it would have been legal.

 

[907914]

Mine was legit enough to marry people too. The people who I ran into who wanted it just didn’t have the paperwork. But if they did it would have been legal.

Even lesbians in 2003?

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Even lesbians in 2003?

No I’m saying if I had run into two people who could have and did have a marriage license, I could have legally married them.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

No to both lol. They also didn’t have a marriage license. Edit: possibly Massachusetts.

😱 Concerts didn't give out marriage licenses?! Bummer. I can legit see people getting married at Woodstock if Woodstock had given out marriage licenses.

 

[907914]

No I’m saying if I had run into two people who could have and did have a marriage license, I could have legally married them.

Gooootcha. I was just latched on to the 2003 lesbians for some reason.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Gooootcha. I was just latched on to the 2003 lesbians for some reason.

I’m pretty sure that’s sexual assault.

 

[907914]

I’m pretty sure that’s sexual assault.

I think in 2003 I was young enough that I just thought Lesbian meant you liked girls regardless of who you are. I thought I was a lesbian in 2003.

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I think in 2003 I was young enough that I just thought Lesbian meant you liked girls regardless of who you are. I thought I was a lesbian in 2003.

In 2003 I was 19 lol.

 

[907914]

In 2003 I was 19 lol.

I was 8 lol

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

I was 8 lol

Oh lawd.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

In 2003 I was 19 lol.

19 and already officiating concert weddings. My 19 was pale in comparison 🙁

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

19 and already officiating concert weddings. My 19 was pale in comparison 🙁

My dream is to officiate a real lesbian wedding.

 

[907914]

My dream is to officiate a real lesbian wedding.

Calling all lesbians, nowbis the time to get hitched, we have an officiator for you

19 and already officiating concert weddings. My 19 was pale in comparison 🙁

My 19 started in Texas, passed through WA, and ended in Oregon with a marriage, 2 moves, a baby, buying a house, and becoming a landlord along the way.

19 is a wild time.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

I was 8 lol

You mentioned that you had a wife and kids so I thought you were older. Your username should have made me realize otherwise

 

[Matthew9Thirtyfive]

Calling all lesbians, nowbis the time to get hitched, we have an officiator for you


My 19 started in Texas, passed through WA, and ended in Oregon with a marriage, 2 moves, a baby, buying a house, and becoming a landlord along the way.

19 is a wild time.

19-30 was quite a wild time for me.

 

[Ms Procrastinator]

19 is a wild time.

My 19 was filled with tons of existential crises

 

[907914]

My 19 was filled with tons of existential crises

I didn’t have time for existential dread. I had to transition from newlywed to homeowner to father in a 7 month timeframe.