February 22, 2006

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the license to practice medicine of Rafael Mercado Combalecer, M.D. The MDCH Bureau of Health Professions orders a summary suspension when it believes that the public’s health, safety, and welfare warrant emergency action.

On January 27, 2006, Combalecer was convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree (State Prisoner), a felony, in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court, Muskegon County, Michigan. The conviction was the result of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a male prisoner while Combalecer was a contractual employee of the Department of Corrections. Sentencing in this matter is pending.

On February 8, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Combalecer’s license pursuant to the Public Health Code. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Combalecer’s license to practice medicine.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.