Media Release

For Immediate Release
June 7, 2005
Contact: Robert Marshall, PhD. 222-1017

Health Department Suspends Practice of John E. Curran; Cites Harm to Patient and False Claims of Professional Degrees

Earlier today, the RI Department of Health (HEALTH) suspended the health care practice of John E. Curran for falsely portraying himself as a physician and naturopath, which he used to take advantage of patients and resulted in harm to a patient. Curran operates the Northeastern Institute for Advance Natural Healing located at Suite 310-E, Richmond Square, Providence, RI. More recently, he has maintained an office at 110 Main Street, East Greenwich. Curran claims to have a medical degree from St. Luke’s Medical School and a naturopathic practitioner degree from the American Institute of Natural Healing. According to federal and state investigations involved in the matter, neither professional degree is legitimate; nor can they be documented by the institutions involved. Curran is not licensed to practice medicine in Rhode Island or any other state.

The Department of Health took this action under the RI Unlicensed Health Care Practices Act (RIGL 23-74), which authorizes the Director of Health to revoke, suspend or limit the health care practices of any unlicensed health care practitioner who conducts practices that require licensure or that result in the harm of a patient. The investigation of Curran’s practices uncovered that he commonly drew blood samples from patients, conducted unnecessary and incorrect tests, and provided false and misleading diagnoses to patients. In addition, HEALTH learned yesterday that Curran prescribed an alcohol-based medication to a patient with liver disease—resulting in an exacerbation of his disease.

“One of the key roles of the Health Department is to assure safe and professional health care for all Rhode Islanders,” said David R. Gifford, MD, MPH, Director of HEALTH. “Curran is an unlicensed, unqualified person portraying himself as a physician to take advantage of unsuspecting Rhode Islanders. As soon as we discovered that his fraudulent activities have continued and resulted in physical harm to patients, I issued an order to suspend his health practices. We will continue to work with federal law enforcement officials to assure that this individual does not persist in his deceptive practices or harm anyone else.”

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and US Attorney’s Office previously raided, closed and confiscated equipment from Curran’s office for misuse of FDA approved medical devices and other offenses. For a copy of the suspension order and court documents relating to the federal investigation of Curran’s health practices, go to www.health.ri.gov. The HEALTH website also contains other general information about the licensing and regulation of health professionals in Rhode Island.