Spokane oncologist admits lying, censured and fined by state disciplinary board

A Spokane doctor who lied about his certification in oncology and falsified documents was fined $1,000 and censured by a state disciplinary board last month.

Rajeev Rajendra committed unprofessional conduct, but his actions did not harm any of the patients at Medical Oncology Associates between 2013 and 2015, the Washington Medical Quality Assurance Commission ruled on March 31. Rajendra had been employed at the cancer clinic in North Spokane from July 2013 through November, though he twice failed an exam from the American Board of Internal Medicine to become accredited in oncology.

Rajendra has since passed that test and is certified, according to records from the board. In a January interview, the clinic’s owner, Arvind Chaudhry, said Rajendra was a good doctor who made mistakes.

In addition to the fine and censure, Rajendra must complete an ethics course within 90 days. The Medical Quality Assurance Commission has approved Rajendra to attend a three-day seminar in Denver at his own expense. The tuition for that course totals $2,095.

Rajendra’s “conduct reflected poorly on the medical profession as a whole and endangered public confidence in medical practioners and institutions,” said a written order, signed by both Rajendra and a staff attorney with the Medical Quality Assurance Commission. “No patients were harmed by (his) actions.”

Investigators said Rajendra lied about twice failing the oncology exam, crafting a fake letter addressed to the internal medicine board indicating they were in error for not issuing Rajendra proof of accreditation and forging a doctor of philosophy degree from Rutgers University.

By agreeing to the order, the findings of the Medical Quality Assurance Board will remain on Rajendra’s disciplinary record permanently.