Mark Stoeckel, MD

[anonymous]

You are correct, Dr's are just human like everyone else. However, they have also chosen a profession that gives them a tremendous amount of responsibility -- the health and lives of other people. I don't expect them to be perfect, but what really bothers me is that this is something that goes on all the time, with minor repercussions. I find that very frightening, no matter how caring and wonderful a Dr may appear to be. What bothers me the most is the system that we have in place for checks & balances. I believe it is failing not only the patients, but the Dr's as well by not making them more accountable, not for human error, but for situations like this that add so much more margin for error.
I hope and pray as well, that he will get the help he needs, and will be able to straighten his life out for his family's sake. However, I do not feel that he should return to practicing medicine.

[Lambsie]

Medical Board Disciplines 92 Doctors
AUSTIN, July 8, 2008 - At its June 26-27 meeting, the Texas Medical Board took disciplinary action against 92 licensed physicians.
Actions included 12 violations based on quality of care; five actions based on unprofessional conduct; eight actions based on violation of probation or prior board order; five actions based on inadequate medical records violations; eight actions based on impairment due to alcohol or drugs or mental/physical condition; one action based on non-therapeutic prescribing; one action based on another state’s action; two actions based on unprofessional conduct; four actions based on criminal convictions; and 46 administrative orders based on minimal statutory violations.
At its June 26-27 meeting, the Texas Medical Board issued 843 physician licenses. TMB continues to reduce the time for licensing physicians and is on track to meet the legislative goal of an average of 51 days.
STOECKEL, MARK DAVID, M.D., Lic.#L3845, Cedar Park, TX
On June 27, 2008, the Board and Dr. Stoeckel entered into an Agreed Order of Suspension that suspends his license indefinitely and requires that he immediately cease the practice of medicine. The order also provides that Dr. Stoeckel may petition the Board in the future, and upon a showing of clear and convincing evidence deemed satisfactory by the Board that he is competent to safely return to the practice of medicine, he may have the suspension stayed or lifted. The order is based on Dr. Stoeckel’s admission to the Board of substance abuse that could adversely impact patient safety, and his entry to an inpatient facility for treatment.

[Lambsie]

STOECKEL, MARK DAVID, M.D., Lic.#L3845, Cedar Park, TX
On June 27, 2008, the Board and Dr. Stoeckel entered into an Agreed Order of Suspension that suspends his license indefinitely and requires that he immediately cease the practice of medicine. The order also provides that Dr. Stoeckel may petition the Board in the future, and upon a showing of clear and convincing evidence deemed satisfactory by the Board that he is competent to safely return to the practice of medicine, he may have the suspension stayed or lifted. The order is based on Dr. Stoeckel’s admission to the Board of substance abuse that could adversely impact patient safety, and his entry to an inpatient facility for treatment.

I hope he will consider going back into practice. I will miss him as our family physician.

[dollface]

Dr. Stoeckel is one of the best doctors I have come accross in a long time. I have been in the Military for 19 years and I have seen my share. Dr. Stoeckel really knows his stuff, and will be greatly missed. I believe he will get through this and practice medicine again.

[Bree]

Give me a break! Get over it and stop congratulating yourselves for being perfect.

Rock on Dr. Stoeckel! Me and mine love you and miss you! You are in all of our thoughts and prayers and I totally believe that this TEMPORARY ordeal is only going to make you an even better doctor!!!

We’re all eagerly awaiting your return!!!- BB

[Bree]

Why the hell does it say I'm in San Diego?? Is this thing working??? ha ha ha

[Pondering]

Interesting, the things that are being said on here. I, for one, have found this rather entertaining to read people's thoughts. Has anyone stopped to think that there may be more to this than meets the eye? I almost find it frightening that people are more concerned with the drama than they are about their healthcare and/or their healthcare provider and the fact that he is a drug abuser. If he had not been suspended and in rehab would anyone be talking/blogging about this??

[Majic]

Is this working?

[Majic]

I periodically read the comments on Dr. Stoeckels message page. I have to admit, a few of the messages I read yesterday made me angry.

Some of the comments such as, "it's sad that he made the choices" and "this goes on all the time with minor repercussions" and he "lost his license."

If you or a loved one have been affected by this devestating disease, you know that alcoholism/addiction is not a "choice." It is a medically proven DISEASE, comparable to diabetes or cancer. I'm not sure I would agree that anyone would "choose" to have a disease. There are endless resources available if any of you are interested in learning about it...I promise you I've done my homework.

In the article in the Statesman, it says his license has been "suspended." I did not read anywhere in that article that it had been "revoked," as suggested in one comment. Dr. Stoeckel has been given a gift by one far more powerful than you and I, the gift of practicing medicine. He is absolutely brilliant when it comes to medicine and he has dedicated his life to the quality of yours. Dr. Stoeckel is professional and compassionate and simply cares. That's something I dont find very often.

The comment made about "minor repercussions," you have got to be kidding me. Do you have any idea the shame and guilt the alcoholic/addict carries with them, every minute of every day? Do you have any idea how humbling it must feel to have your professional license taken away, that took YEARS to obtain? Do you think for one minute it's fun for him to be away from his children? Would you choose to have all this fun? Hell no, "minor reprecussions!" What an absolute joke. EDUCATE YOURSELF.

I sincerely hope you, or a loved one, is not affected by this disease. I feel sad for them that you are so judgemental, as you have expressed here.

Go to an Al-Anon meeting or AA meeting in your town, you'll see your neighbors, your pharmacist, your mayor, your 3rd grade school teacher, it could be anyone. You will be surprised. Please dont go in there with that attitude, you'll be out of place, those people care.

I have met some of the most brillant, loving, caring and educated people through my experience. However devestating, I would not change it for a minute, I'M a better person for it.

I am not an addict, I love one very much. That my friend, is a "choice."

I hope that upon Dr. Stoeckel's return, he will be surrounded by the love, respect and compassion that he has so freely given.

Bree, I'm with you-ROCK ON DR. STOECKEL, WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

[Cathleen]

Dr. Stoeckel you are the greatest doctor out there. So keep your chin up and get well. My family and I support you 100 percent. You couldnt ask for a better doctor than yourself. We love you and miss you!!!

[DAR]

I too am praying for Dr. Stoeckel. He has been the "best" doctor I have ever had. I will definitley being going back to him when he returns! Nothing anyone else says can change my opinion of him.

[Another Disease]

My husband and I both went to Dr. Stoekel who was actually referred by a classmate of his. I found him warm and kind. He's been one of the few doc's that I actually felt listened to me. I actually felt he was a very good diagnostician. As to the comment that everyone should look in the paper, I think it should be said that docs have a very stressful job, spend an enormous amount of hours in getting their degree and building their practice. It's not an excuse but it's also something to consider. This is a disease, just like the ones he treated. Just as I would like to know that I can go for help so should he, without having a judge and jury but by my own power. How difficult did that have to be? He had to know that there was every possibility that all the years of school and internship and building a practice was on the line. Thank God he was moral enough to correct it before someone was hurt by his hand.

[not so forgiving]

Majic call it what you may, however the words published..."suspends his license indefinitely" are pretty strong.
Yes, it is a shame his children don't have their dad around, and it is very clear that you are more than a patient. With that being said, did you and him attend these meetings you spoke about before or have you just been going since his suspension?
That is what I meant about his "choice". Not having the disease but what he did or didn't do to fight it.

[Majic]

"not so forgiving," I posted a comment, it went to the discussion portion.(??) Still trying to figure this out, you can view it there.

[not so forgiving]

I don't know how to do that, technology! just here on the posts....

[Majic]

If your screen is the same as mine, scroll down to the bottom and go to the "Other recent Lago Vista discussions," click on his name.

Just for the record, "not so forgiving," I was called by a friend of mine who came upon this web site (I referred the friend to Dr. Stoeckel). Knowing that I would be interrested, he told me to check it out.

Like everyone else who knows and loves Dr. Stoeckel, I was curious to why he was out. Think that's just human nature. I had speculated that he had a terminal illness and was in treatment or something. It's amazing where "not knowing" will take you to. Needless to say, I was happy to learn he was not dying. For as long as my family has seen Dr. Stoeckel and the similar experiences we've had, I had no idea.

Anyway, I'm not an evil person, although it may appear that I'm a b...., not the case. My family has been so devestated by this disease, I was forced into being educated.

I cant tell you how nice it is to sit in a room (Al-Anon) full of people and not be judged.

Thats all. Hope you understand.

[Majic]

Not so forgiving, I was able to copy and paste it from discussion to comments, this comment actually is before the last one I wrote. Have to read this one to get that one.

Dr. Stoeckel has been seeing my family for about 6 years, my mother is an alcoholic, I'm not dating Dr. Stoeckel. I promise you if you were involved in the world of alcoholism or addiction, you would become passionate about it also.
So many people believe it wont happen to them, just as I did. It does, happens to so many good people. I was surprised by the numbers, equally as surprised at the number of people who really dont know, that think they do. I'm not throwing rocks, it's the truth. I didn't know anything about it until I was affected and I thought I did!
I do become offended when people judge others, it's like someone talking about YOUR mom.
So, Dr. Stoeckel has been very good to my family, for that I will be forever grateful.

[anonymous]

Majic wrote:

I periodically read the comments on Dr. Stoeckels message page. I have to admit, a few of the messages I read yesterday made me angry.
Some of the comments such as, "it's sad that he made the choices" and "this goes on all the time with minor repercussions" and he "lost his license."
If you or a loved one have been affected by this devestating disease, you know that alcoholism/addiction is not a "choice." It is a medically proven DISEASE, comparable to diabetes or cancer. I'm not sure I would agree that anyone would "choose" to have a disease. There are endless resources available if any of you are interested in learning about it...I promise you I've done my homework.
In the article in the Statesman, it says his license has been "suspended." I did not read anywhere in that article that it had been "revoked," as suggested in one comment. Dr. Stoeckel has been given a gift by one far more powerful than you and I, the gift of practicing medicine. He is absolutely brilliant when it comes to medicine and he has dedicated his life to the quality of yours. Dr. Stoeckel is professional and compassionate and simply cares. That's something I dont find very often.
The comment made about "minor repercussions," you have got to be kidding me. Do you have any idea the shame and guilt the alcoholic/addict carries with them, every minute of every day? Do you have any idea how humbling it must feel to have your professional license taken away, that took YEARS to obtain? Do you think for one minute it's fun for him to be away from his children? Would you choose to have all this fun? Hell no, "minor reprecussions!" What an absolute joke. EDUCATE YOURSELF.
I sincerely hope you, or a loved one, is not affected by this disease. I feel sad for them that you are so judgemental, as you have expressed here.
Go to an Al-Anon meeting or AA meeting in your town, you'll see your neighbors, your pharmacist, your mayor, your 3rd grade school teacher, it could be anyone. You will be surprised. Please dont go in there with that attitude, you'll be out of place, those people care.
I have met some of the most brillant, loving, caring and educated people through my experience. However devestating, I would not change it for a minute, I'M a better person for it.
I am not an addict, I love one very much. That my friend, is a "choice."
I hope that upon Dr. Stoeckel's return, he will be surrounded by the love, respect and compassion that he has so freely given.
Bree, I'm with you-ROCK ON DR. STOECKEL, WE LOVE YOU AND MISS YOU.

so do they have a rehab center for diabetics and cancer victims? really people, get a grip

[anonymous]

not so forgiving wrote:

Majic call it what you may, however the words published..."suspends his license indefinitely" are pretty strong.
Yes, it is a shame his children don't have their dad around, and it is very clear that you are more than a patient. With that being said, did you and him attend these meetings you spoke about before or have you just been going since his suspension?
That is what I meant about his "choice". Not having the disease but what he did or didn't do to fight it.

AMEN! Finally someone with some sense out there.

[Laura]

What it boils down to is that there will be a million different responses to Dr. S's 'news'. Not everyone will agree with one another. I think this forum is here for everyone to voice their opinions and be heard. I'm sure Dr. S knows that there will be many critics and many supporters. I only hope he gets himself on the right track again quickly and starts to live his life the way he wants too. No one who is drowning in alcohol or drugs wants to be there-it may be fun at first, but it turns into a nightmare quite quickly. Dr. Stoeckel is an AWESOME doctor-he treated me with respect, and caring attention over the last year and I certainly will be going back to see him when he practices again. I can only hope and pray that he gets back on his feet and can practice. I can't imagine having the drive to go to medical school and having the gift of wanting to help people, and then never be able to practice again. I hope he is able to see and read about all of his supporters and takes that to heart in his recovery process...My kids and I miss coming into his office and so does half of my neighborhood! He had a lot of patients right down the road from his office that miss him and feel for him....GOOD LUCK DR. STOECKEL AND WE HOPE TO SEE YA AGAIN!