Medical Board Of California Accusation Leads To Surrender Of Lafayette Physician's Medical License Because He Failed Sobriety Test

Facing a formal Accusation of wrongdoing by the Medical Board of California, Lafayette physician Alene M. Pfister, M.D., has agreed to surrender her license to practice medicine. The stipulated surrender of her medical license was ordered on August 18, 2004 and became effective at 5 p.m. yesterday.

Pfister is charged with unprofessional conduct for conviction of a crime substantially related to the qualifications, functions or duties of a physician and surgeon (Business & Professions Code §§ 2236(a) and 2234) and the use of alcohol to the extent and in such a manner as to be dangerous to herself or others (Business & Professions Code § 2239(a)).

On June 18, 2003, in Contra Costa County, Pfister was arrested for the crime of driving under the influence of alcohol. Pfister failed the sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested and transported to the Lafayette Police Department where a PAS test revealed a blood alcohol content of .18%. Pfister was cited for driving under the influence and released.

On August 11, 2003, People of the State of California v. Alene Maria Pfister, Complaint No. 120332-2 was filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court (Walnut Creek), charging her in Count One with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (Vehicle Code § 23152(a)), and in Count Two with driving while having a 0.08% or higher blood alcohol (Vehicle Code § 23152(b)). On September 24, 2003, Pfister pleaded no contest to Count One, and Count Two was dismissed. As a result, she was placed on three years' probation with terms and conditions which included two days' imprisonment, work alternative program, fines totaling $1,595, enrolling within 10 days in a First Offender Drinking Driver's Program, and restricted driving privileges for 90 days.

Prior to the June 18, 2003 arrest, Pfister was arrested on June 11, 2003, for driving under the influence. After failing field sobriety tests, she was arrested and taken to the Contra Costa County CHP office where a breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .12%. Pfister was cited for driving while having a 0.08 or higher blood alcohol and released.

On September 4, 2003, People of the State of California v. Alene Maria Pfistor [sic], Complaint No. 280369-0, was filed in Contra Costa County Superior Court (Richmond), charging her in Count One with driving while having a 0.08% or higher blood alcohol (Vehicle Code § 23152(b)) and in Count Two with hit and run (Veh Code § 20002(a)). On December 4, 2003, Pfister pleaded no contest to Count One, with the other counts dismissed. The Walnut Creek action was consolidated with this action in Richmond, and she was placed on three years' probation with terms and conditions which included two days' imprisonment, fines totaling $1,615, and reporting to the Post Conviction Drinking Driver's Program within 10 days.