Surgeon with ties to closed clinic can no longer practice medicine in Maryland

TIMONIUM, Md. - A physician with ties to the Timonium clinic that shut its doors after three patients came down with an invasive infection and one died, is no longer licensed to practice medicine in Maryland.

Records from the Maryland Board of Physicians show Doctor Daniel Louis Francis as part of the Monarch Medspa clinic in Timonium, listing the clinic’s address as part of his contact information.  Those records also show Francis’ license expired at the end of September. 

According to the board, Francis’ status is now non-renewed.  Carole Catalfo, Executive Director of the board, wouldn’t comment on Francis’ status, saying license applications are confidential.

Monarch Medspa is at the center of an on-going investigation by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.  The investigation began in September after three patients came down with an invasive form of strep and one later died.

RELATED | Monarch Medspa closed after patients get infections; 1 dead

Monarch was shut down by the state as part of that investigation and has not re-opened.  Health Secretary Dr. Joshua Sharfstein tells ABC2 the investigation is on-going and no additional cases of infection have been reported in Maryland.

Sources tell ABC2 Dr. Francis also worked at the Monarch Medspa facility in King of Prussia, just outside Philadelphia.  ABC2 Investigators placed a call to that office Thursday and were told Francis no longer works with the company.

No discipline is listed in Francis’ medical record in Maryland or Pennsylvania.  His license to practice in Pennsylvania is active according to records posted on a state’s website.

In the wake of the closure, Maryland consumers who've done business with Monarch Medspa in Timonium have told ABC2 they have had difficulty obtaining refunds related to services they paid for in advance.  Consumers with refund issues may contact the Maryland Attorney General's Office to file a complaint. The number to call is 410-528-8662.