Editors note: This story was updated on 4/25 to include a statement submitted by attorneys for Dr. Anna Bowling.
The California Medical Board has placed a former Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas anesthesiologist who worked in the labor and delivery unit on medical probation after she admitted to stealing and using powerful narcotics while on duty.
Dr. Anna Michelle Bowling was ordered to seven years probation by the California Medical Board in March. Bowling admitted to stealing and using various narcotics including propofol, fentanyl, hydromorphone and midazolam, according to a signed California Medical Board disciplinary order obtained by CBS 8.
Bowling has not worked at Scripps Encinitas for at least two years since the incidents in question.
'Definite risk'
Following an investigation, Bowling admitted to stealing and self-administering propofol while she was on duty as an anesthesiologist during a 12-hour shift at Scripps Encinitas in May 2022. Bowling admitted to the medical board that she felt “drowsy” within 30 seconds.
“Respondent admitted that there is a 'risk for error... risk of harming a patient' when an anesthesiologist takes propofol during their shift, and that it presents "a definite risk" to patient safety,” reads the disciplinary order.
Bowling told the medical board that she stole narcotics from the operating room "11 or 12 times" in April 2022, a month before the reported incident.
According to the disciplinary order, Bowling admitted to the board that she would self-administer the drugs at home to "dull some of the emotional pain I was feeling."
May 2022
The disciplinary order comes nearly two years after Scripps Encinitas employees witnessed Bowling impaired during her shift in the hospital’s labor and delivery unit.
According to the complaint, in May 2022, a Scripps Anesthesiology department chair and charge nurse saw Bowling exit a physician’s suite bathroom.
They witnessed Bowling “disheveled, glassy-eyed” and “staggered” as she walked. The department chair repeatedly attempted to ask Bowling what was wrong but she didn’t answer.
The complaint said, that following the interaction, Bowling staggered out of the hospital and attempted to drive away. After a nearly 30-minute attempt to prevent her from driving away, San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the hospital.
Deputies questioned Bowling and allowed her to leave via a ride-share service. Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas filed a report to the California Medical Board following the May 2022 incident.
Revocation stayed
The medical board revoked Bowling’s license to practice medicine. But the revocation was stayed and she is on probation for seven years under the conditions that she works in a hospital, practices anesthesiology, and provides care to patients.
In a statement to CBS 8, an attorney for Bowling said,
"The Medical Board of California made the determination with its granting of probation to Dr. Bowling that she is safe to practice medicine subject to her compliance with the terms and conditions stated therein. No patients were adversely affected.
Dr. Bowling has shown extraordinary dedication to her own well-being and that of patients by addressing the circumstances nearly two years prior to the Medical Board imposing discipline. She is fully compliant with the Medical Board's terms and conditions. Moving forward, Dr. Bowling hopes to make a positive impact on the well-being of other physicians and medical professionals."
You can read the full disciplinary order here.
