From The Advocate:
By PENNY BROWN ROBERTS
Advocate staff writer
A federal bankruptcy judge is scrutinizing the medical credentials of a local man who regularly conducts scoliosis screenings in Louisiana schools and treats patients with the condition from all over the world.
Along with a plan for repaying creditors, Arthur Copes -- who runs the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System at 8108 Picardy Ave. and another clinic in San Diego -- submitted a detailed résumé Friday to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Douglas D. Dodd told creditors attending the hearing that the information would help determine whether a reorganization plan is feasible.
"My interest in his education is only whether or not it bears on his ability to carry this company forward and pay its creditors," Dodd said, adding that if a question over licensing arose that "might affect his ability to keep this company running, that would be a concern."
Copes blames the bankruptcy court's review of his credentials on "disgruntled former employees" seeking back wages who are "just trying to stir up havoc."
This isn't the first time the 46-year-old Copes' credentials will be examined under a microscope.
In 1997, Copes unsuccessfully sued in state court in Baton Rouge a Missouri chiropractor named Ray Vasquez who publicly questioned Copes' credentials as a doctor. A judge dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.
Among other things, Vasquez questioned Copes' degree from Columbia Pacific University, and claims of being a medical doctor with a license to practice.
Copes -- who uses the title of doctor -- completed both a bachelor of science degree and a doctorate of philosophy degree in orthotics via correspondence courses in a single year from Columbia Pacific University in Mill Valley, Calif., according to the résumé filed in bankruptcy court.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs permanently shut down the correspondence school in March 2001 after a two-year investigation discovered the institution was a "diploma mill" and a "giant scam," according to investigators.
A review of school operations found that faculty members who sat on students' doctoral committees did not have degrees related to the field of investigation. In one case, four of the five members of one committee signing off on a student's Spanish-language doctoral dissertation could not speak Spanish, according to an Associated Press article.
At the time Copes earned his degree, Columbia Pacific University was approved to operate in California.
"I developed a procedure to correct scoliosis without surgery," Copes said in a telephone interview Friday. "Do you think surgeons like me? They'll use anything to discredit you."
Copes -- who identifies himself as an orthotist -- does not hold a license from the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners or the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners. An orthotist is a specialist who makes and fits braces and splints for patients who need support for body parts weakened by injury or disease.
Copes apparently told the International Chiropractors Association that he has "a number of state licenses," including one in Louisiana, according to Ronald Hendrickson, executive director of the Virginia-based group.
Copes has lectured at a number of the organization's conferences.
"People just don't say they have a license if they don't have one," Hendrickson said. "You can get in trouble for that. Our organization has zero tolerance for it."
Copes said that as an orthotist, he is not required to have a license, but that he has taken a "federal test" administered by the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association. Representatives from that organization could not be reached Friday.
Copes said he is not a member of the International Chiropractors Association but has been "a frequent guest speaker, and at one time did post-graduate teaching at a very large university: the Parker Chiropractic College in Dallas, Texas."
Copes opened the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System more than a decade ago. By his own count, he has treated more than 4,000 patients and provided scoliosis screenings in public schools throughout south Louisiana.
He is known internationally for developing the Copes Dynamic Brace, a pneumatic device to correct spinal curvature in scoliosis patients. His clinic also prescribes vitamin supplements -- which it sells on its Web site -- to treat the disease.
At least three former patients have sued Copes in the past three years, claiming his treatments injured them. They also questioned whether he has the proper training and licensing.
Michelle McManigal of Madison Heights, Mich., filed suit in federal court in Baton Rouge in April 2002, alleging the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System worsened the condition of her son, Brandon Weiss. U.S. District Judge James Brady dismissed the suit in February because Copes had filed for bankruptcy.
In a September 2002 status report to the court, her Baton Rouge attorney, Todd Slack, wrote that one of the principal legal issues was "whether Arthur Copes, PhD, engaged in the practice of medicine without a license."
Darnelle Delcambre of New Iberia also has a suit pending in state court in Baton Rouge, claiming that she developed severe osteoporosis after wearing a brace for 16 hours a day for years as Copes prescribed.
An orthopedic surgeon told her the treatment was "grossly inappropriate," "harmful" and may have "caused the osteoporosis," according to her suit.
And in an October 2002 suit, Louis W. Herthum contends the "promises as to the quality of the treatment were not in fact true."
Copes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Feb. 11, claiming assets of $50,000 or less and debts of more than $1 million.
According to a list of his 20 largest creditors, Copes owes more than $173,273 to the Internal Revenue Service, $93,577 to Wells Fargo Financial Leasing for computer equipment, $80,000 to a Los Angeles company for building rent, and $11,464 to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, among other debts.
An update Copes provided to the bankruptcy court in July indicates his business is once again thriving, thanks to "new marketing strategies."
He cites 27 new patients and net monthly profits of $7,300.
"We're doing very well now and are a little ahead of schedule at this point," Copes said Friday. "Thanks to the courts, we've been given a little time to catch our breath and move forward with business."
By PENNY BROWN ROBERTS
Advocate staff writer
A federal bankruptcy judge is scrutinizing the medical credentials of a local man who regularly conducts scoliosis screenings in Louisiana schools and treats patients with the condition from all over the world.
Along with a plan for repaying creditors, Arthur Copes -- who runs the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System at 8108 Picardy Ave. and another clinic in San Diego -- submitted a detailed résumé Friday to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Douglas D. Dodd told creditors attending the hearing that the information would help determine whether a reorganization plan is feasible.
"My interest in his education is only whether or not it bears on his ability to carry this company forward and pay its creditors," Dodd said, adding that if a question over licensing arose that "might affect his ability to keep this company running, that would be a concern."
Copes blames the bankruptcy court's review of his credentials on "disgruntled former employees" seeking back wages who are "just trying to stir up havoc."
This isn't the first time the 46-year-old Copes' credentials will be examined under a microscope.
In 1997, Copes unsuccessfully sued in state court in Baton Rouge a Missouri chiropractor named Ray Vasquez who publicly questioned Copes' credentials as a doctor. A judge dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.
Among other things, Vasquez questioned Copes' degree from Columbia Pacific University, and claims of being a medical doctor with a license to practice.
Copes -- who uses the title of doctor -- completed both a bachelor of science degree and a doctorate of philosophy degree in orthotics via correspondence courses in a single year from Columbia Pacific University in Mill Valley, Calif., according to the résumé filed in bankruptcy court.
The California Department of Consumer Affairs permanently shut down the correspondence school in March 2001 after a two-year investigation discovered the institution was a "diploma mill" and a "giant scam," according to investigators.
A review of school operations found that faculty members who sat on students' doctoral committees did not have degrees related to the field of investigation. In one case, four of the five members of one committee signing off on a student's Spanish-language doctoral dissertation could not speak Spanish, according to an Associated Press article.
At the time Copes earned his degree, Columbia Pacific University was approved to operate in California.
"I developed a procedure to correct scoliosis without surgery," Copes said in a telephone interview Friday. "Do you think surgeons like me? They'll use anything to discredit you."
Copes -- who identifies himself as an orthotist -- does not hold a license from the Louisiana Board of Medical Examiners or the Louisiana Board of Chiropractic Examiners. An orthotist is a specialist who makes and fits braces and splints for patients who need support for body parts weakened by injury or disease.
Copes apparently told the International Chiropractors Association that he has "a number of state licenses," including one in Louisiana, according to Ronald Hendrickson, executive director of the Virginia-based group.
Copes has lectured at a number of the organization's conferences.
"People just don't say they have a license if they don't have one," Hendrickson said. "You can get in trouble for that. Our organization has zero tolerance for it."
Copes said that as an orthotist, he is not required to have a license, but that he has taken a "federal test" administered by the American Orthotics & Prosthetics Association. Representatives from that organization could not be reached Friday.
Copes said he is not a member of the International Chiropractors Association but has been "a frequent guest speaker, and at one time did post-graduate teaching at a very large university: the Parker Chiropractic College in Dallas, Texas."
Copes opened the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System more than a decade ago. By his own count, he has treated more than 4,000 patients and provided scoliosis screenings in public schools throughout south Louisiana.
He is known internationally for developing the Copes Dynamic Brace, a pneumatic device to correct spinal curvature in scoliosis patients. His clinic also prescribes vitamin supplements -- which it sells on its Web site -- to treat the disease.
At least three former patients have sued Copes in the past three years, claiming his treatments injured them. They also questioned whether he has the proper training and licensing.
Michelle McManigal of Madison Heights, Mich., filed suit in federal court in Baton Rouge in April 2002, alleging the Scoliosis Treatment Recovery System worsened the condition of her son, Brandon Weiss. U.S. District Judge James Brady dismissed the suit in February because Copes had filed for bankruptcy.
In a September 2002 status report to the court, her Baton Rouge attorney, Todd Slack, wrote that one of the principal legal issues was "whether Arthur Copes, PhD, engaged in the practice of medicine without a license."
Darnelle Delcambre of New Iberia also has a suit pending in state court in Baton Rouge, claiming that she developed severe osteoporosis after wearing a brace for 16 hours a day for years as Copes prescribed.
An orthopedic surgeon told her the treatment was "grossly inappropriate," "harmful" and may have "caused the osteoporosis," according to her suit.
And in an October 2002 suit, Louis W. Herthum contends the "promises as to the quality of the treatment were not in fact true."
Copes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Feb. 11, claiming assets of $50,000 or less and debts of more than $1 million.
According to a list of his 20 largest creditors, Copes owes more than $173,273 to the Internal Revenue Service, $93,577 to Wells Fargo Financial Leasing for computer equipment, $80,000 to a Los Angeles company for building rent, and $11,464 to the Louisiana Department of Revenue, among other debts.
An update Copes provided to the bankruptcy court in July indicates his business is once again thriving, thanks to "new marketing strategies."
He cites 27 new patients and net monthly profits of $7,300.
"We're doing very well now and are a little ahead of schedule at this point," Copes said Friday. "Thanks to the courts, we've been given a little time to catch our breath and move forward with business."
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