AUBURN – A local neurologist’s license has been temporarily suspended because of a substance-abuse problem.

The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine suspended the license of Dr. Daniel Bobker on Tuesday because the board believed he posed an “imminent risk” to his patients, said Randal Manning, the executive director of the board that oversees medical licensing in Maine.

Bobker, 48, practices at Central Maine Neurology on Minot Avenue in Auburn. His license was immediately revoked for 30 days without a hearing because he left a substance-abuse treatment program against medical advice, Manning said.

“If a doctor is abusing substances of any kind to the point that it affects his judgment, there is major potential for risk,” he said.

Manning said he could not disclose what type of substance Bobker was abusing.

Tuesday’s suspension was his first, Manning said, adding that Bobker had never previously been disciplined by the board.

A hearing is scheduled for July 10 to determine whether Bobker ought to be disciplined or ordered into a treatment program for doctors, or both, Manning said. Discipline could include further suspension of Bobker’s license, revocation of his license or a reprimand.

It’s “pretty likely” Bobker will be ordered into the Maine Medical Association’s Physician Health Program, a board-sanctioned substance-abuse treatment program for doctors, Manning said.

Bobker, who lives in Brunswick, received his medical degree from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Syracuse and has practiced medicine for 22 years, according to HealthGrades.com.

He was not available for comment Thursday.

The Board of Licensure in Medicine is made up of six doctors and three citizens appointed by the governor. Disciplinary actions taken by the board are available to the public by phone, 287-3608, or on the Web: www.docboard.org/me/me_home.htm.

The July 10 hearing, open to the public, will be held at the board’s offices at 161 Capitol St. in Augusta.

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