Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners Suspends License of Athens Physician

NASHVILLE  – The Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners has summarily suspended the license of Rodney Dunham, MD, of Athens. The suspension of Dunham’s license became effective October 21, 2009. As a result of the suspension, Dunham is immediately prohibited from practicing medicine in the state.

Dunham’s license was suspended for the following:
• having sexual relationships with female patients;
• prescribing controlled substances to a patient in exchange for a sexual relationship;
• prescribing controlled substances to non-patients; and
• conduct that is detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the public.

Dunham has the opportunity to appear at an informal hearing on this matter before the Board of Medical Examiners, scheduled for October 28, 2009 at 2 p.m. CDT. At that hearing, the board will determine whether the public health, safety or welfare imperatively required emergency action and whether Dunham’s license should remain suspended pending the outcome of a contested case proceeding in the matter.

Dunham was originally licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee in 1983.

Detailed information about disciplinary actions is available on the TDOH Web site at http://health.state.tn.us/licensure/index.htm. Enter the name of the person of interest. Once the license information appears, click on "disciplinary action” or “adverse licensure action” and then "view board order.”