Board refuses to lift doctor’s suspension

RENO -- A Henderson doctor who has been sued by several families of patients who died after he prescribed painkillers for them will not see his suspension lifted, the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners ruled Friday.

Kevin Buckwalter lost his right to prescribe drugs last November following several incidents involving patient prescriptions. His medical license was not suspended, but his brother, Bryce, told the board he has not practiced since then.

"He is a good doctor," said Bryce Buckwalter, adding his brother had gone through training in the use of pain management drugs.

Under terms of a settlement proposed to the board by lawyers from both Kevin Buckwalter and the board, Buckwalter would admit to three counts of medical malpractice, pay a $4,000 fine and be required to give board investigators unfettered access to his medical records. Then the suspension would be lifted.

But without comment, the board rejected the settlement.