The Ohio Court of Appeals has upheld the permanent revocation of Dr. Chandre C. Gowda's medical license and an $18,000 fine. This decision affects Dr. Gowda, who had been accused of falsifying medical certifications for immigration purposes. The ruling is significant as it emphasizes the legal accountability of medical professionals in their documentation practices.
In the case of Gowda v. State Medical Board of Ohio, filed under docket number 25AP-708, the court ruled on July 23, 2026, affirming the decision made by the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. The State Medical Board of Ohio initiated the case against Dr. Gowda after allegations surfaced regarding his certification of patients for disability exemptions on immigration forms.
The dispute began when the State Medical Board sent Dr. Gowda a notice on January 10, 2024, indicating that it intended to investigate whether to limit, revoke, or suspend his medical license. The notice cited multiple instances where Dr. Gowda allegedly certified patients as disabled without having the necessary medical records to support such claims. These certifications were crucial for individuals seeking waivers from the citizenship exam.
Dr. Gowda, who immigrated from India and has practiced family medicine, had a long-standing arrangement with an immigration attorney, Inna Simakovsky. He would sign the federal Form N-648, which is used for medical certification for disability exceptions. However, it was found that he had no medical records for many of the patients he certified, leading to serious allegations of misconduct.
The case escalated when federal agents visited Dr. Gowda's office in late 2021, seeking medical records related to the N-648 forms he had signed. During the ensuing investigation, it was revealed that Dr. Gowda had no documentation for at least ten patients he had certified, raising questions about the legitimacy of his medical practice.
In December 2024, after a hearing, the State Medical Board voted to permanently revoke Dr. Gowda's medical license and impose a fine of $18,000. Following this decision, Dr. Gowda appealed to the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, which upheld the Board's ruling in August 2025.
The Ohio Court of Appeals, led by Judge Boggs, reviewed the case and affirmed the lower court's decision. The court found that the evidence supported the Board's conclusion that Dr. Gowda had made false statements in relation to his medical practice. The ruling stated, "The circumstances surrounding Dr. Gowda's relationship with Ms. Simakovsky...suggests a fraudulent arrangement between the two of them."
The court emphasized that the Board's findings were based on substantial evidence, including Dr. Gowda's own testimony and the lack of adequate medical documentation. The ruling also noted that the Board had the authority to impose such sanctions under Ohio law, which allows for the revocation of a medical license in cases of falsification or misconduct.
This ruling has significant implications for medical professionals in Ohio and beyond. It underscores the importance of maintaining accurate medical records and the potential consequences of failing to do so. The decision serves as a warning to healthcare providers about the legal responsibilities they hold in their practice.
Dr. Gowda's case highlights the critical nature of ethical practices in medicine, especially when it intersects with legal matters such as immigration. The court's decision reinforces the principle that medical professionals must adhere to strict standards of honesty and integrity in their documentation.
Looking ahead, Dr. Gowda has the option to appeal the ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court. However, details regarding any potential appeal or related cases were not available in the court filing. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar cases involving medical professionals and their documentation practices.