January 9, 2004

The Michigan Department of Community Health (DCH) has summarily suspended the medical license of Robert D. Helferty, M.D., due to his felony conviction in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan.

On October 21, 2003, Helferty pled guilty to Possession of Child Pornography. Helferty was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison, fined $60,000.00, and ordered to participate in mental health counseling.

On December 18, 2003, DCH issued an order summarily suspending Helferty's medical license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Helferty's medical license.

More information about disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards is available on the DCH website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, then select the Bureau of Health Systems and Licensing link.