Md. Abortion Provider's License Revoked in Connection With Investigation

December 3, 2010 — The Maryland Board of Physicians has permanently revoked the license of an obstetrician employed at an abortion clinic owned by Steven Brigham, who has been the target of investigations by Maryland and New Jersey authorities over alleged unscrupulous abortion procedures, the AP/Baltimore Sun reports.

The board revoked the license of obstetrician George Shepard on Nov. 18, following its suspension of his license in August. Shepard allegedly ordered medications for an Elkton, Md., abortion clinic owned by Brigham, who is accused of starting an abortion in Voorhees, N.J., and completing the procedure in Maryland, where state law is more permissive (AP/Baltimore Sun, 12/2). The Maryland board said Shepard engaged in unprofessional conduct and practiced medicine with an unauthorized person (Walsh, Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 12/3).

Brigham is the owner of American Women's Services, a chain of women's health clinics in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey. He is not licensed to practice medicine in Maryland. Over the past 18 years, his medical license has been revoked, relinquished or temporarily suspended in five states (Women's Health Policy Report, 9/8).

In October, New Jersey authorities also suspended Brigham's medical license, saying he is "a clear and imminent danger to the public's health, safety and welfare." He has denied any wrongdoing (Cherry Hill Courier-Post, 12/3).