Prescribing dangerous drugs, even performing minor surgery.
All without a license.
That's what the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners says is going on at a valley medical clinic.
Contact 13's Darcy Spears continues her years-long investigation into a woman the state calls a danger to public health, safety and welfare.
Physician Assistant Angela Lorenzo's name is on the wall at Modern Medical and Wellness on Buffalo and Washington.
She runs the clinic specializing in weight loss and hormone treatments, but she does not have a license to practice medicine.
In fact, she hasn't had one since the state suspended it on September 28, but the state says that hasn't stopped her from treating patients.
Lorenzo is facing 10 new counts of deceptive conduct, violating the standards of practice and wilful failure to comply with board orders.
Since losing her license, the NSBME says she's treated six patients, prescribing controlled substances including Phentermine and Adderall, even implanting testosterone pellets, which is considered an invasive medical procedure.
All done in flagrant violation of the law.
"I felt like she didn't want to be supervised," said Dr. Carmen Jones, the physician who supervised Lorenzo until July 1.
It's illegal for physician assistants to practice without a doctor's oversight.
When we went to Lorenzo's office on Tuesday, Nov. 28 at 1:15 p.m., we found the door locked but lights on. We rang the bell and a woman wearing scrubs--who we believe to be Ms. Lorenzo--came toward the door, then did an about face when she saw our camera, disappearing into the back of the office.
She did not respond to further attempts to reach her by ringing the bell, knocking and calling to her through the door.
Dr. Jones says she stopped working with Lorenzo in part because she felt the physician assistant was seeing some patients who were out of her league--too complicated, medically speaking.
She says there were also problems with patient records.
"There was some disregard for the board's instructions and disregard for proper procedure, disregard for the laws and rules that she's governed by."
Lorenzo's license suspension followed multiple charges by the state board for malpractice, and unsafe, unprofessional conduct.
One case involved a patient who died of an overdose after the state says Lorenzo prescribed an excessive amount of opiates.
"Based on your experience with and oversight of Angela Lorenzo," Darcy Spears asked, "do you believe she should continue practicing?"
"No," Dr. Jones replied. "No."
After our visit to Modern Medical, we left voicemail and text messages, but Lorenzo did not respond.
The state says Modern Medical's doors must remain locked as Lorenzo's license remains indefinitely suspended.
Because practicing medicine without a license is a crime, this case has been referred to local law enforcement.
