Dr. Kathleen Lundell, one of the lead physicians at the now-defunct Parker Hughes Cancer Center in Roseville, has been reprimanded by the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice for providing "substandard or unnecessary patient care."
The Medical Board, which began its investigation of Parker Hughes in 2003, found that Lundell had prescribed drugs and supplements that had no proven benefit to cancer patients.
It also cited a professional review that found Lundell, who is board certified in internal medicine, "demonstrated broad but superficial medical knowledge of internal medicine," and that her "clinical judgment and reasoning was variable, but poor overall."
Lundell, 57, signed a voluntary agreement accepting the board's disciplinary action. She has relocated to Arizona, according to board records. Her attorney could not be reached for comment on Friday.
Lundell was only one of the physicians investigated by the board following allegations of improper care at the Parker Hughes clinic, which was founded by Dr. Fatih Uckun. Uckun ultimately gave up his license to practice medicine in Minnesota after he was disciplined by the board in 2006 and 2007, and the clinic shut down in 2008. Uckun is now is a research scientist at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the University of Southern California.
A series of Star Tribune investigative reports in 2003 exposed a pattern of questionable treatments, charges and advertising claims at the Parker Hughes clinic.
The Medical Board concluded that Lundell's practice "failed to conform to the minimal standards of expected and prevailing medical practice." It cited her, among other things, for prescribing antibiotics inappropriately and for failing to keep proper patient records.
Lundell was ordered to pay a $2,800 penalty and to take additional course work in 10 medical specialties, including cancer treatment.
