Seman v. State Med. Bd. of Ohio , 2020 Ohio 3342 ( 2020 )


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  • [Cite as Seman v. State Med. Bd. of Ohio, 2020-Ohio-3342.]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
    TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    Christopher R. Seman, D.O.,                           :
    Appellant-Appellant,                  :
    No. 19AP-613
    v.                                                    :        (C.P.C. No. 18CV-7876)
    State Medical Board of Ohio,                          :      (REGULAR CALENDAR)
    Appellee-Appellee.                    :
    D E C I S I O N
    Rendered on June 16, 2020
    On brief: Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, Eric J. Plinke, and
    Heidi W. Dorn, for appellant.
    On brief: Dave Yost, Attorney General, and Melinda R.
    Snyder, for appellee.
    APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
    SADLER, P.J.
    {¶ 1} Appellant-appellant, Christopher R. Seman, D.O., appeals from the judgment
    of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas affirming an order of appellee-appellee,
    State Medical Board of Ohio ("board"), to suspend appellant's license to practice medicine
    for an indefinite period, not less than one year. For the following reasons, we affirm the
    decision of the court of common pleas.
    I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
    {¶ 2} Appellant has been licensed to practice medicine in the state of Ohio since
    1999. Between 2002 to 2012, appellant was board certified in general psychiatry, child
    psychiatry, and family practice. In 2010, appellant began working as an independent
    contractor at Columbiana County Counseling Center. In and around 2012, Patient 1 began
    No. 19AP-613                                                                               2
    working at the counseling center in the children's division as a youth community psychiatric
    support treatment provider ("case manager"). On or about March 9, 2015, appellant self-
    reported to the board that he had engaged in a sexual relationship with Patient 1. On June 1,
    2017, appellant participated in a board deposition regarding the affair.
    {¶ 3} On September 13, 2017, the board issued a notice to appellant stating in
    relevant part:
    On or about March 9, 2015, you self-reported to the Board and
    subsequently confirmed to a Board Investigator that you
    engaged in sexual conduct with Patient 1, who was also a co-
    worker. On or about June 1, 2017, you stated under oath that
    you had provided non-controlled prescriptions without
    maintaining a patient record for and without performing an
    examination of Patient 1. You further stated that you engaged
    in a sexual conduct with Patient 1 from approximately October
    2013 to January 2015. The prescriptions that you wrote for
    Patient 1 (including, Orth[o] Tri-Cyclen on December 6, 2013,
    and January 10, 2014; Augmentin on December 23, 2013;
    Fluconazole on November 6, 2014, and January 9, 2015; and
    Bupropion on January 12, 2015) indicate that you provided
    medical care to her during the time you acknowledged
    engaging in sexual conduct with her.
    (Sept. 13, 2017 Notice.)
    {¶ 4} Based on these facts, the board alleged a violation of Ohio Adm.Code 4731-
    26-02, commonly referred to as the "sexual misconduct rule." The letter advised appellant
    that he was entitled to a hearing, which appellant requested.
    {¶ 5} On April 3, 2018, an administrative hearing was held on the matter. An
    additional day of the hearing was held on April 24, 2018 at appellant's request. Appellant
    and Patient 1 were the only witnesses to testify at the proceeding. Patient 1 testified that
    she met appellant within her first few weeks at the counseling center. Appellant and Patient
    1 would regularly work together on cases and became friends. Patient 1 testified that in
    summer 2013, appellant began to show interest in her personally by inviting her to lunch
    at his office and would call regarding subjects not related to work. Appellant testified that
    in October 2013, the relationship with Patient 1 became romantic. Within one month of
    having sexual intercourse, appellant wrote Patient 1 a prescription for Ortho Tri-Cyclen, a
    form of birth control. During the 18-month relationship, they carried on their affair at the
    office, a hotel, and at Patient 1's home.
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                3
    {¶ 6} Appellant testified that he did not keep patient records for Patient 1, conduct
    a physical, take her medical history, keep a chart, and did not know whether she was also
    receiving prescriptions from her primary care physician while prescribing her medications.
    Appellant testified that during their relationship, he wrote Patient 1 six prescriptions
    including birth control, antibiotics, and an antidepressant. Appellant also conceded that
    he never performed a psychiatric examination on Patient 1 about her diagnosis for anxiety
    before prescribing the antidepressant. Appellant stated "I lost objectivity before I even
    wrote these prescriptions for her. The whole relationship was a loss of objectivity. It was a
    boundary violation, not just from a doctor/patient perspective but from a professional-
    person-you-work-with perspective having relationships with people at work." (April 3,
    2018 Tr. at 48.)
    {¶ 7} Patient 1 testified appellant was in a superior position at work because he was
    a psychiatrist and she was a case manager. Patient 1 stated she felt appellant was trying to
    cut out her primary care physician by "taking over (her) medical care pretty much. * * * So
    I grew out of that relationship with my doctor." (Tr. at 95.) Patient 1 testified she began to
    trust appellant more as she confided in him about personal matters. "I began to feel more
    dependent on him to normalize or almost for permission to feel a certain way." (Tr. at 97.)
    In early 2015, Patient 1 informed appellant she was pregnant. After a blood test confirmed
    the pregnancy, appellant disclosed the affair to his wife and self-reported to the board.
    {¶ 8} Throughout the proceeding, the hearing examiner overruled appellant's
    objections permitting testimony concerning appellant's disclosure to third parties of the
    affair, his disclosure of Patient 1's health care information, and whether Patient 1 was
    considering an abortion.     Appellant moved to continue the hearing to obtain new
    information, which was granted in part allowing appellant time to identify text messages to
    respond to these allegations. When the hearing resumed, appellant stated he was unable
    to obtain this information based on the age of the messages.
    {¶ 9} On August 1, 2018, the hearing examiner issued a report and
    recommendation. While the original hearing examiner, Danielle Blue, left the board prior
    to the report being issued, another hearing examiner, Rhonda Shamansky, reviewed the
    record and ultimately issued the report and recommendation. The hearing examiner
    concluded that appellant was in violation of Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-02 and recommended
    No. 19AP-613                                                                               4
    appellant be suspended for at least one year "with conditions for reinstatement, followed
    by a period of probation." (Aug. 1, 2018 Report & Recommendation at 26.) Appellant filed
    objections to the report and recommendation on August 16, 2018.
    {¶ 10} The board considered appellant's objections at the September 12, 2018
    meeting. Dr. Michael Schottenstein summarized the case and stated appellant used
    prescribing medications as "manipulative behavior designed to maintain the relationship"
    and as a "tool with which to bind Patient 1 to him." (Sept. 12, 2018 Bd. Minutes at 24442,
    24443.) The board ultimately voted unanimously to adopt the hearing examiner's findings
    of fact and conclusions of law. The board imposed an indefinite suspension (of no less than
    one year) of appellant's medical license with conditions for reinstatement, followed by a
    probationary period of at least one year. The matter was appealed to the Franklin County
    Court of Common Pleas.
    {¶ 11} On August 16, 2019, the trial court overruled appellant's seven assignments
    of error and affirmed the board's order finding the ruling was based on reliable, probative,
    and substantial evidence. Relevant to the instant appeal, the trial court found the testimony
    concerning appellant's disclosures to third parties of Patient 1's pregnancy, her personal
    health information, their workplace relationship, and that Patient 1 was considering an
    abortion were aggravating factors pursuant to the board's rules and did not constitute a due
    process violation. The trial court also concluded these disclosures were relevant evidence
    to the issue of whether appellant exploited Patient 1 and any error in admitting evidence
    that could have constituted another violation was harmless because appellant
    acknowledged the conduct and was only punished for the single violation. "The notice
    informed Appellant that all the information surrounding the relationship and the
    prescribing of the drugs would be an issue." (Aug. 16, 2019 Decision & Entry at 5.) The
    trial court also found Dr. Schottenstein's comments at the meeting did not constitute new
    evidence or modify the hearing examiner's findings by allegedly making an inference of
    exploitation to create a violation of the board's sexual misconduct rule.
    {¶ 12} Regarding appellant's claim that there was no evidence of exploitation since
    the relationship predated any treatment, the trial court found that even if the relationship
    predated any medical care, "continuing the sexual relationship while prescribing
    medications exploits the physician-patient relationship." (Emphasis sic.) (Decision &
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                 5
    Entry at 8.) The trial court noted while it was not convinced that evidence of explicit
    exploitation was required because a sexual relationship between a physician and patient is
    inherently exploitative, the trial court concluded there was ample evidence of exploitation
    in Patient 1's testimony. "To adopt the Appellant's interpretation of the rule would ignore
    the patently obvious fact that a physician can easily use his or her influence over the patient
    to maintain, or prolong, a pre-existing sexual relationship." (Decision & Entry at 8.)
    Finally, the trial court concluded Patient 1 did not qualify as a "family member" under Ohio
    Adm.Code 4731-11-08(C).
    {¶ 13} Appellant filed a timely appeal to this court.
    II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
    {¶ 14} Appellant assigns the following as trial court error:
    [1.] The Trial Court Erred in Failing to Find a Due Process
    Violation from the Board's Proceedings Which Exceeded the
    Scope of the ORC Ch. 119.07 Notice and Violated Due Process.
    [2.] The Board Order is Contrary to Law as the Order was
    Based on a New and Unsupported Allegation Made First at the
    Board Meeting.
    [3.] The Board's Order Is Contrary To Law Because The
    Board Found A Violation of The Board's Sexual Misconduct
    Rule Where No Evidence of Exploitation Exists And The
    Finding Conflicted With Another Board Rule.
    III. STANDARD OF REVIEW
    {¶ 15} Pursuant to R.C. 119.12, a common pleas court, when reviewing an order of
    an administrative agency, must consider the entire record to determine whether reliable,
    probative, and substantial evidence supports the agency's order and whether the order is in
    accordance with law. Univ. of Cincinnati v. Conrad, 
    63 Ohio St. 2d 108
    , 110-11 (1980). The
    Supreme Court of Ohio has defined the concepts of reliable, probative, and substantial
    evidence as follows:
    (1) "Reliable" evidence is dependable; that is, it can be
    confidently trusted. In order to be reliable, there must be a
    reasonable probability that the evidence is true.
    (2) "Probative" evidence is evidence that tends to prove the
    issue in question; it must be relevant in determining the issue.
    (3) "Substantial" evidence is evidence with some weight; it
    must have importance and value.
    Our Place, Inc. v. Ohio Liquor Control Comm., 
    63 Ohio St. 3d 570
    , 571 (1992).
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                 6
    {¶ 16} The common pleas court's "review of the administrative record is neither a
    trial de novo nor an appeal on questions of law only, but a hybrid review in which the court
    'must appraise all the evidence as to the credibility of the witnesses, the probative character
    of the evidence, and the weight thereof.' " Lies v. Veterinary Med. Bd., 
    2 Ohio App. 3d 204
    ,
    207 (1st Dist.1981), quoting Andrews v. Bd. of Liquor Control, 
    164 Ohio St. 275
    , 280 (1955).
    The common pleas court must give due deference to the administrative agency's resolution
    of evidentiary conflicts, but "the findings of the agency are by no means conclusive."
    Conrad at 111. The common pleas court conducts a de novo review of questions of law,
    exercising its independent judgment in determining whether the administrative order is
    " 'in accordance with law.' " Ohio Historical Soc. v. State Emp. Relations Bd., 
    66 Ohio St. 3d 466
    , 471 (1993), quoting R.C. 119.12.
    {¶ 17} An appellate court's review of an administrative decision is more limited than
    that of a common pleas court. Pons v. Ohio State Med. Bd., 
    66 Ohio St. 3d 619
    , 621 (1993).
    The appellate court is to determine only whether the common pleas court abused its
    discretion.
    Id. Absent an
    abuse of discretion, a court of appeals may not substitute its
    judgment for that of an administrative agency or the common pleas court.
    Id. An appellate
    court, however, has plenary review of purely legal questions. Big Bob's, Inc. v. Ohio Liquor
    Control Comm., 10th Dist. No. 02AP-708, 2003-Ohio-418, ¶ 15.
    IV. LEGAL ANALYSIS
    A. First and Second Assignments of Error
    {¶ 18} For clarity of analysis, we will address the first and second assignments of
    error together. Appellant makes a multitude of claims in support of his due process
    argument. Appellant first asserts his due process rights were violated because the notice
    failed to include allegations appellant made disclosures to third parties regarding the affair,
    the personal health information of Patient 1, whether Patient 1 was considering an abortion,
    "positions of the Catholic Church on adultery and birth control," and appellant's conduct in
    "violation of his faith." (Appellant's Brief at 10.) Appellant also argues "Dr. Schottenstein's
    finding that Dr. Seman was binding Patient 1 to him through six prescriptions and
    separating her from her primary physician" was new evidence and constituted a violation
    of appellant's due process rights. (Appellant's Brief at 11.) For the reasons that follow, we
    disagree with appellant.
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                    7
    {¶ 19} The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Section
    16, Article I of the Ohio Constitution mandate that administrative proceedings comport
    with due process. Richmond v. Ohio Bd. of Nursing, 10th Dist. No. 12AP-328, 2013-Ohio-
    110, ¶ 10, citing Mathews v. Eldridge, 
    424 U.S. 319
    (1976); Doyle v. Ohio Bur. of Motor
    Vehicles, 
    51 Ohio St. 3d 46
    (1990). "Pursuant to due process, governmental agencies must
    provide constitutionally adequate procedures before depriving individuals of their
    protected liberty or property interests." Natoli v. Ohio State Dental Bd., 10th Dist. No.
    08AP-81, 2008-Ohio-4068, ¶ 18, citing Mathews at 332. The tenant of fundamental
    fairness is at the core of due process. Natoli at ¶ 18, citing Lassiter v. Dept. of Social Servs.,
    
    452 U.S. 18
    , 24 (1981).
    {¶ 20} Appellant has a protected property interest in his certificate to practice
    medicine. Flynn v. State Med. Bd., 10th Dist. No. 16AP-29, 2016-Ohio-5903, ¶ 45, citing
    Natoli at ¶ 19, citing Haj-Hamed v. State Med. Bd., 10th Dist. No. 06AP-351, 2007-Ohio-
    2521, ¶ 53. "A 'fundamental requirement of due process is the opportunity to be heard "at
    a meaningful time and in a meaningful manner." ' " Natoli at ¶ 18, quoting Mathews at
    333, quoting Armstrong v. Manzo, 
    380 U.S. 545
    , 552 (1965). The question of whether due
    process requirements have been satisfied presents a legal question we review de novo.
    Flynn at ¶ 46, quoting Judd v. Meszaros, 10th Dist. No. 10AP-1189, 2011-Ohio-4983, ¶ 19
    (" 'Purely legal questions are subject to de novo review.' ").
    {¶ 21} R.C. 119.07 states, in relevant part, "[notice] shall include the charges or other
    reasons for the proposed action, the law or rule directly involved, and a statement
    informing the party that the party is entitled to a hearing if the party requests it within thirty
    days of the time of mailing the notice." A notice consistent with R.C. 119.07 "satisfies these
    procedural due process requirements because it sets forth a process reasonably calculated
    to apprise the party of the charges against him and the opportunity to request a hearing."
    Richmond at ¶ 11, quoting Kellough v. Ohio State Bd. of Edn., 10th Dist. No. 10AP-419,
    2011-Ohio-431, ¶ 36. Appellant must also show that any violation of due process resulted
    in prejudice. Griffin v. State Med. Bd. of Ohio, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-174, 2011-Ohio-6089, ¶
    26.
    No. 19AP-613                                                                               8
    1. Third-Party Disclosures
    {¶ 22} Appellant asserts that his due process rights were violated when the notice
    failed to include allegations that appellant made disclosures to third parties regarding the
    affair, the personal health information of Patient 1, and whether Patient 1 was considering
    an abortion. As an initial matter, appellant mistakes the relevant language of the statute.
    Appellant asserts that R.C. 119.07 reads "[notice] shall include the charges and other
    reasons for the proposed action." (Emphasis added.) (Appellant's Brief at 8; Reply Brief at
    4.) The statute, in fact, states "[notice] shall include the charges or other reasons for the
    proposed action." (Emphasis added.) R.C. 119.07. By enacting a disjunctive versus a
    conjunctive notice requirement, the General Assembly created a far more relaxed standard
    than appellant has alleged.
    {¶ 23} After a review of the record and relevant facts, we find appellant's notice was
    consistent with R.C. 119.07 and satisfied all due process requirements. The notice included
    the charge against appellant, identified the purported violation of Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-
    02, provided broad and specific allegations regarding appellant writing non-controlled
    prescriptions while engaging in sexual conduct with Patient 1 from approximately October
    2013 to January 2015, and informed appellant of his right to a hearing. Appellant was also
    on notice that Patient 1 would be called to testify concerning her medical treatment during
    the sexual relationship.      As such, the evidence presented at the hearing concerning
    disclosures to third parties were relevant to the alleged sexual misconduct violation as
    aggravating factors under Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-02.
    {¶ 24} Appellant next argues that these disclosures are of such significance that they
    could constitute violations of the Medical Practice Act under R.C. 4731.22(B)(4) and (18)
    and, as such, appellant was deprived of sufficient notice and due process. This court has
    consistently found the board may consider aggravating circumstances, including
    uncharged misconduct, during the hearing. Macheret v. State Med. Bd., 
    188 Ohio App. 3d 469
    , 2010-Ohio-3483, ¶ 28 (10th Dist.) ("In setting the appropriate sanction for the
    violations alleged and proven, the Board may, as it did, take into account aggravating
    circumstances, including uncharged misconduct."); Froehlich v. Ohio State Med. Bd. of
    Ohio, 10th Dist. No. 15AP-666, 2016-Ohio-1035, ¶ 31 (finding a medical review board may
    consider aggravating circumstances, including uncharged misconduct, when considering
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                9
    the appropriate sanction against the physician); see also Columbus Bar Assn. v. Farmer,
    
    111 Ohio St. 3d 137
    , 2006-Ohio-5342, ¶ 49 (finding a disciplinary board may consider
    misrepresentations during the investigation as an aggravating circumstance when
    considering what sanction to impose). While it is conceivable that these offenses could have
    been included as additional charges, the board is under no obligation to bring every
    potential violation.
    {¶ 25} Finally, appellant fails to demonstrate how evidence of these aggravating
    factors resulted in identifiable prejudice. To support reversal of the trial court, the record
    must affirmatively show "that such error was to the prejudice of the party seeking such a
    reversal." Korn v. State Med. Bd., 
    61 Ohio App. 3d 677
    , 686 (10th Dist.1988); Griffin, 2011-
    Ohio-6089, at ¶ 26. Per the State Medical Board of Ohio Disciplinary Guidelines, the
    minimum penalty for a sexual misconduct within practice violation is an "[i]ndefinite
    suspension, min. 1 year, with conditions for reinstatement; discretionary probation, as
    appropriate, to include a boundaries course." State Med. Bd. Disciplinary Guidelines
    Section II.B, at 6 (Revised June 2018). Given appellant acknowledged the conduct and only
    received the minimum recommended penalty, appellant has failed to establish how
    discussion of these third-party disclosures prejudiced the outcome of the proceeding.
    Accordingly, we find appellant had a full and fair opportunity to prepare a defense before
    the hearing examiner and find no due process violation occurred.
    2. Dr. Schottenstein's Comments
    {¶ 26} Appellant next asserts his due process rights were violated when Dr.
    Schottenstein stated appellant used prescribing medications as "manipulative behavior
    designed to maintain the relationship" and as a "tool with which to bind Patient 1 to him."
    (Bd. Minutes at 24442, 24443.) After a review of the record and minutes from the board
    meeting, we find these statements constitute commentary in response of appellant's
    objections and not new evidence.
    {¶ 27} Even if Dr. Schottenstein's comments exceeded the scope of the hearing
    examiner's findings, appellant can point to no evidence in the record that the board
    members relied on Dr. Schottenstein's remarks in forming their own conclusions. The
    board voted unanimously to adopt the hearing examiner's report and recommendation only
    sanctioning appellant for the minimum recommended penalty for a violation of Ohio
    No. 19AP-613                                                                               10
    Adm.Code 4731-26-02. Based on the forgoing, we find appellant's due process argument
    unpersuasive.
    {¶ 28} Accordingly, appellant's first and second assignments of error are overruled.
    B. Third Assignment of Error
    {¶ 29} Appellant argues the board's order was contrary to law because there was no
    evidence of exploitation since the sexual relationship predated the physician/patient
    relationship. We disagree.
    {¶ 30} This court is more limited in its review than that of the trial court. While the
    trial court must look at the evidence presented, the court of appeals must examine only if
    the trial court abused its discretion in finding the board's order was supported by reliable,
    probative, and substantial evidence. 
    Pons, 66 Ohio St. 3d at 621
    .
    {¶ 31} As in effect at the time of the alleged violation, Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-02
    provides:
    (A) A licensee shall not engage in sexual misconduct with a
    patient or key third party, as that term is defined in paragraph
    (C) of rule 4731-26-01 of the Administrative Code.
    (B) Conduct included within the definition of sexual
    misconduct occurring between a licensee and a former patient
    constitutes sexual misconduct and is prohibited if it meets any
    of the following criteria:
    (1) The conduct occurred within ninety days after the
    licensee-patient relationship was terminated;
    (2) The conduct occurred between a psychiatrist and a person
    to whom the psychiatrist formerly provided psychiatric or
    mental health services, and the conduct is in violation of the
    code of ethics of the "American Psychiatric Association"; or
    (3) The board determines that the conduct constitutes sexual
    misconduct upon consideration of the following factors:
    (a) The duration of the licensee-patient relationship;
    (b) The nature of the health care services provided;
    (c) The lapse of time since the licensee-patient relationship
    ended;
    (d) The extent to which the former patient confided personal
    or private information to the licensee;
    (e) The degree of emotional dependence that the former
    patient has or had on the licensee; and
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                11
    (f) The extent to which the licensee used or exploited the
    trust, knowledge, emotions, or influence derived from the
    previous licensee-patient relationship.
    Sexual misconduct is defined as "conduct that exploits the licensee-patient relationship in
    a sexual way, whether verbal or physical, and may include the expression of thoughts,
    feelings, gestures that are sexual or that reasonably may be construed by a patient as
    sexual." Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-01(H).
    {¶ 32} While appellant claims that the affair predated any medical treatment, we
    would note that Patient 1 testified appellant examined her for a physical when she had a
    cold prior to the start of their sexual relationship. While appellant contends that the board
    "moved the goalposts" by presenting evidence that the dates of treatment predated the
    sexual relationship, the notice is based on appellant's disclosure of the sexual relationship
    to the board. (Reply Brief at 7.) Appellant's contention that this interrupted his preparation
    for the case is unpersuasive as he would have known about the treatment.
    {¶ 33} Even if the sexual relationship with Patient 1 predated the physician/patient
    relationship, the trial court correctly reasoned that appellant "ignores the fact that
    continuing the sexual relationship while prescribing medications exploits the physician-
    patient relationship." (Decision & Entry at 8.) We agree with the trial court that to accept
    appellant's interpretation of the rule would ignore the possibility of a physician using his or
    her influence to preserve or continue a prior sexual relationship. As such, we find
    appellant's argument unpersuasive.
    {¶ 34} Appellant next asserts Ohio Adm.Code 4731-26-02 requires evidence of
    exploitation, which he argues was not found in this case. The trial court found that while it
    did not think that evidence of explicit exploitation was required for a sexual misconduct
    violation, the record demonstrated ample evidence of both direct exploitation and
    exploitation by inference. We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion concluding
    there was reliable, probative, and substantial evidence of exploitation as evidenced by the
    admitted power imbalance between the parties, appellant's intervention in Patient 1's
    medical care, and Patient 1's described dependency on appellant to rationalize the
    relationship. Appellant only ended the affair after it was discovered Patient 1 had become
    pregnant. Once a blood test confirmed the pregnancy, appellant finally disclosed the affair
    to his wife and self-reported to the board. Because we find there was sufficient evidence of
    No. 19AP-613                                                                                12
    exploitation in this case, we decline to resolve whether the trial court was ultimately correct
    in concluding proof of explicit exploitation was not required to constitute a violation of the
    sexual misconduct rule.
    {¶ 35} Finally, appellant argues that Patient 1 qualifies as a "family member" under
    Ohio Adm.Code 4731-11-08(C) based on appellant's testimony that he lost objectivity
    during her treatment. We disagree. Ohio Adm.Code 4731-11-08(B) and (C) states:
    (B) Accepted and prevailing standards of care require that a
    physician maintain detached professional judgment when
    utilizing controlled substances in the treatment of family
    members. A physician shall utilize controlled substances
    when treating a family member only in an emergency
    situation which shall be documented in the patient's record.
    (C) For purposes of this rule, "family member" means a
    spouse, parent, child, sibling or other individual in relation to
    whom a physician’s personal or emotional involvement may
    render that physician unable to exercise detached
    professional judgment in reaching diagnostic or therapeutic
    decisions.
    {¶ 36} We find the trial court did not abuse its discretion concluding that Patient 1
    does not fall under any of the explicit definitions of a "family member" identified in Ohio
    Adm.Code 4731-11-08(C). We would also note that a plain reading of Ohio Adm.Code 4731-
    11-08(C) makes it inconceivable that the "family member" exception was intended to
    provide additional protections for a physician conducting an extramarital affair.
    {¶ 37} Accordingly, appellant's third assignment of error is overruled.
    V. CONCLUSION
    {¶ 38} Having overruled appellant's three assignments of error, we affirm the
    judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
    Judgment affirmed.
    BROWN and KLATT, JJ., concur.
    _____________