[jimbo2012]

Dr. Sheri Hamnik, a Leesburg neurologist who had worked in The Villages, has been sentenced to one year probation for a DUI in Fruitland Park.

Two other misdemeanors, for unlawful possession of prescription drugs, were dropped after the judge ruled that the 46-year-old doctor had lawful prescriptions for them.

Her attorney, John Spivey, said a plea for the DUI charge was in her best interest.

"All things considered, she didn't want to wait for a trial," Spivey said. "She wanted to resolve it and move on."

Hamnik still has her medical license, according to the Florida Department of Health. She is on leave from Central Florida Health Alliance, a spokeswoman said. She had been on staff at The Villages Hospital for about a year.

[bestmickey]

To view the full Orlando Sentinel article, visit:

Villages neurologist DUI Dr. Sheri Hamnik: Villages neurologist Dr. Sheri Hamnik sentenced to probation for DUI - OrlandoSentinel.com

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by jimbo2012

Dr. Sheri Hamnik, a Leesburg neurologist who had worked in The Villages, has been sentenced to one year probation for a DUI in Fruitland Park.

Two other misdemeanors, for unlawful possession of prescription drugs, were dropped after the judge ruled that the 46-year-old doctor had lawful prescriptions for them.

Her attorney, John Spivey, said a plea for the DUI charge was in her best interest.

"All things considered, she didn't want to wait for a trial," Spivey said. "She wanted to resolve it and move on."

Hamnik still has her medical license, according to the Florida Department of Health. She is on leave from Central Florida Health Alliance, a spokeswoman said. She had been on staff at The Villages Hospital for about a year.

I would not ever consult her. I believe that addiction to prescription painkillers in extremely hard to conquer and very easy to conceal, especially if you can write prescriptions yourself.

I don't know what got her to this point, but no matter how bad or sad it was, I would not trust her to treat me or my loved ones.

That is just my opinion, and yes I am being judgmental. Very sad and troubling. I am kind of glad she got caught and charged with DUI.

[Mudder]

I totally agree with you, Gracie. It is sad when those who we trust to treat us fall prey to temptations. She may be able to rehabilatate herself but I will not use her for at least the foreseeable future. I wondering if she still is on staff at Village Hospital? If you need a neurologist, Dr. Smiroff is a good choice........and no, there is no Vodka involed!

[BJ Spencer]

My husband had her listed as a doctor, but after 5 months has yet to see her. He had an appointment, saw a PA instead. This was when it was still hush-hush about her legal/DUI problem. We could understand, my husband went thru the same thing in his 20's.

Set an appointment, then got a call and had it rescheduled. That day came and the office called saying she was still going thru legal/doctor things. Rescheduled it again, finally the appointment came last week. Sat in the office for 2 1/2 hours. She had been called to the hospital for an emergency - we could deal with it. Her nurse even brought us water and crackers. Finally at 5pm he told us that she wasn't coming back.

Rescheduled again for this Thursday. Just got a call from her office saying that she had to leave out of town for a family emergency and rescheduled it AGAIN. That did it, we're going to get him to another doctor. It's all well and good to show your support for her, we do too. Besides my husband having DUI problems when he was younger I was a member of Al-Anon for 2 years with my ex-husband so I'm aware of this problem. But my husband had a Grand Mal seizure last Nov. Since getting out of the hospital he's been only able to have one visit with a neurologist and one with her PA.

We went to our primary doctors office yesterday in Mulberry - Dr. B. Martinez Cruz only to find out he's no longer there, from Talk of The Villages he was fired. So right now hopefully nothing happens to my husband until we find other doctors.

Sorry to ramble on, but this whole thing is making me really really mad!

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by BJ Spencer

My husband had her listed as a doctor, but after 5 months has yet to see her. He had an appointment, saw a PA instead. This was when it was still hush-hush about her legal/DUI problem. We could understand, my husband went thru the same thing in his 20's.

Set an appointment, then got a call and had it rescheduled. That day came and the office called saying she was still going thru legal/doctor things. Rescheduled it again, finally the appointment came last week. Sat in the office for 2 1/2 hours. She had been called to the hospital for an emergency - we could deal with it. Her nurse even brought us water and crackers. Finally at 5pm he told us that she wasn't coming back.

Rescheduled again for this Thursday. Just got a call from her office saying that she had to leave out of town for a family emergency and rescheduled it AGAIN. That did it, we're going to get him to another doctor. It's all well and good to show your support for her, we do too. Besides my husband having DUI problems when he was younger I was a member of Al-Anon for 2 years with my ex-husband so I'm aware of this problem. But my husband had a Grand Mal seizure last Nov. Since getting out of the hospital he's been only able to have one visit with a neurologist and one with her PA.

We went to our primary doctors office yesterday in Mulberry - Dr. B. Martinez Cruz only to find out he's no longer there, from Talk of The Villages he was fired. So right now hopefully nothing happens to my husband until we find other doctors.

Sorry to ramble on, but this whole thing is making me really really mad!

Your post is more than fair and you are more than patient. I feel so bad for you. The most not perfect thing here in lower Paradise in my opinion is the medical area. There are some good doctors and some great ones and many not so good.

[BnCinME]

It sounds like the Villages health care system needs to do a better job vetting these physicians.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by BnCinME

It sounds like the Villages health care system needs to do a better job vetting these physicians.

It certainly does seem so. Here is a link to the State of Virginia final disposition of the disciplinary action taken against this dr.

And by doing Florida physician license lookup, it shows there are no complaints/disciplinary actions against her, her license is active and clear, and she practices at TVRH.

After reading the findings of Virginia just this December of 2012, I need to ask if TVRH and the state of FL are this desperate to employ a physician??

SEE:
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Notices/...er12172012.pdf

[StarbuckSammy]

Thanks for the follow up...makes you wonder about The Villages Hospital due diligence.

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by StarbuckSammy

Thanks for the follow up...makes you wonder about The Villages Hospital due diligence.

And also the "due diligence" of the FL state licensing board.

[gomoho]

Oh my what a tragic waste of a human being with so much promise. Very sad.

[KathieI]

BJ, try Dr. Singh for a neurologist. He is wonderful. His # is 352 750 3900 and he's over on 441/27. I was referred to him by Dr. Yelamanchi who hasn't given me a bad referral yet. I'm finding GREAT specialists here in this area and out towards Leesburg and Tavares. Good Luck!!

[Mudder]

Where did you get your information that she is practicing at TVRH? She was there when she first came here, but was released after her run in , I think it was a dui. I'd be very surprised if she is still at TVRH as of now.

[salferg]

My son had a visit with Dr. Hamnik this morning. We had prior knowledge of her drug problems but figured she was certainly entitled to a second chance. I'm so glad we met her, She was very thorough and very engaged in my son's issues (he is a stroke survivor). It was a very positive experience and we will continue treatment with her. I will pray for her that she is able to conquer her demons.

[looneycat]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

It certainly does seem so. Here is a link to the State of Virginia final disposition of the disciplinary action taken against this dr.

And by doing Florida physician license lookup, it shows there are no complaints/disciplinary actions against her, her license is active and clear, and she practices at TVRH.

After reading the findings of Virginia just this December of 2012, I need to ask if TVRH and the state of FL are this desperate to employ a physician??

SEE:
http://www.dhp.virginia.gov/Notices/...er12172012.pdf

based on the report I would say that she is not the type of physician I would use, ever.