The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has immediately suspended the license to practice physical therapy of Hamad Ibrahim Hamad, P.T., based on his conviction in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan. Hamad, 42, failed to report his conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.

On June 30, 2008, Hamad was convicted of one felony count of Health Care Fraud. As a result, Hamad was placed on probation with terms for a period of five years and ordered to pay restitution and costs totaling $185,356.00. The conviction was based on Hamad fraudulently billing Medicare and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan for services he did not perform.

On Feb. 23, 2009, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Hamad's license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of two years, or a controlled substance-related conviction. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Hamad's license to practice as a physical therapist.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.