BROWN COUNTY, Ohio — The State Medical Board of Ohio said Friday it has voted to issue a notice of summary suspension and opportunity for hearing to the Brown County cardiologist accused of sexually assaulting patients during medical exams.
"A summary suspension suspends a license to practice prior to a hearing based on clear and convincing evidence that continued practice by the licensee poses a danger of immediate and serious harm to the public (Section 4731.22(G), Ohio Revised Code). Once the licensee receives the notice, he will have 30 days to request a hearing and is entitled to the hearing within 7 to 15 days of the request," a spokesperson for the State Medical Board of Ohio said in a statement Friday.
Ali Ghasemzadeh appeared virtually before a judge Wednesday from inside the Brown County Detention Center.
The Brown County Sheriff's Office said Ghasemzadeh was arrested Monday and charged with rape, sexual battery and gross sexual imposition in connection with patient interactions at his Georgetown practice, A G Cardiology. Ghasemzadeh "absolutely, unequivocally denies these allegations," his attorney said.
A criminal complaint alleges that Ghasemzadeh sexually assaulted one female patient with an ultrasound probe during an appointment earlier this month, penetrating her for several minutes without a legitimate medical purpose.
In a separate incident, according to a complaint, Ghasemzadeh allegedly touched a female patient's breasts inappropriately during a heart exam in 2025.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michele Harris argued in court that Ghasemzadeh poses a public safety risk.
"With the accusations coming forward and that are still under investigation, there is concern for the state that there are other victims out there," Harris said. "He actually used his position of trust and authority and violated multiple female patients."
WATCH: Hear the court proceedings from Ghasemzadeh's first appearance before a judge
During the arraignment hearing on Wednesday, Judge Courtney Worley set Ghasemzadeh's bond at $700,000 and ordered he surrender his passport. She also ordered Ghasemzadeh not leave the state of Ohio or have any contact with the two listed victims.
"We're dealing with the most serious of offenses here," Worley said. "I'm going to set a bond that appropriately takes into consideration the severity of the charges as well as the public safety risk."
Ghasemzadeh's attorney, Joe Suhre, argued for a lower bond amount, saying his client is not a flight risk and is prepared to fight the charges in court.
"He has literally treated generations of Brown County residents with their heart issues," Suhre said. "We've been aware of this investigation and have been coordinating with law enforcement and the prosecutor's office since then."
We attempted to speak with Suhre following court on Wednesday. He referred us to a previous statement shared, which stated, "Dr. Ghasemzadeh has been a pillar of the Brown (County) community and the medical community for years. He’s taken care of entire families and absolutely, unequivocally denies these allegations.”
Ghasemzadeh is due back in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 6.
Watch to hear from the Brown County Prosecutor regarding the accused doctor:
Tuesday, we spoke with Brown County prosecutor Zac Corbin.
“I think it’s alarming when you have an individual who was in a position of trust," Corbin said.
Corbin said his office learned of the investigation two weeks ago.
Since the sheriff's office issued a press release on Monday, the county prosecutor said more people may have been affected.
“I believe close to 10, now additional, potential victims," Corbin said.
According to state licensing records, Ghasemzadeh's status is "inactive" and "suspended".
The records show the board order regarding a notice of opportunity for hearing:
"Based on allegations when the doctor engaged in sexual misconduct with two identified patients, those acts and/or omissions, individually and/or collectively constitute: violating or attempting to violate, directly or indirectly, or assisting in or abetting the violation of, or conspiring to violate, any statute or any rule promulgated by the Board, to wit: Prohibitions regarding sexual misconduct; which also constitute a departure from, or the failure to conform to, minimal standards of care of similar practitioners under the same or similar circumstances, whether or not actual injury to a patient is established."
Ghasemzadeh is currently being held in the Brown County Detention Center.
Based on their investigation, detectives believe there may be additional victims who experienced inappropriate, unwanted or unexplained sexual contact while receiving medical treatment from Ghasemzadeh.
Anyone who believes they may have been subject to inappropriate conduct by Ghasemzadeh or anyone with information about the investigation is asked to contact the Brown County Sheriff's Office or Detective Jeff Wolf at 937-378-4435, ext. 114. The sheriff's office encourages anyone to come forward regardless of how much time has passed since the conduct with Ghasemzadeh.
