New York Suspended Psychiatrist After Illegal Prescriptions
The state health department suspended a doctor who admitted to illegally prescribing oxycodone for a patient's staffer.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Substance Abuse
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The New York State Department of Health suspended Dr. Marianne Gillow's medical license on August 18, 2026, following her guilty plea to charges of illegally prescribing oxycodone. The medications were intended for a production company staffer working for Maura Mandt, who died in 2020.
Why it matters
The suspension serves as a regulatory enforcement action regarding the illegal distribution of controlled substances within medical practice. It highlights the state's oversight role in ensuring practitioners adhere to strict prescription laws.
The New York State Department of Health issued a suspension order following Dr. Gillow's admission of illegally filling prescriptions for a staffer in 2019. The physician, who had a 35-year medical career, now faces a disciplinary hearing to determine the permanence of the suspension.
The players
Dr. Marianne Gillow
A psychiatrist who practiced for 35 years before her license was suspended for illegally filling oxycodone prescriptions.
New York State Department of Health
The state agency responsible for overseeing professional medical conduct and issuing licensing suspensions.
Maura Mandt
A production company head who passed away from heart-disease-related complications in 2020.
The details
The state's order followed a guilty plea concerning 43-count indictment charges for the illegal prescription of oxycodone. By prescribing the controlled substance to a staffer for the use of Maura Mandt, the physician bypassed standard patient assessment and monitoring protocols required for high-risk opioid management. The state health commissioner issued the immediate suspension to halt the practitioner's authority to write prescriptions while the Board for Professional Medical Conduct reviews the case.
Timeline
June and July 2019: The psychiatrist illegally filled prescriptions for a staffer.
February 28, 2020: Maura Mandt died at her home.
April 2026: Dr. Gillow pleaded guilty to illegal prescription charges.
August 18, 2026: The state commissioner ordered an immediate license suspension.
Within 90 days of August 18, 2026: A board hearing will determine the future status of the medical license.
Health Landscape
The license suspension aligns with the state's rigorous regulatory framework for controlled substance prescribing and physician accountability. It reflects the ongoing enforcement of medical conduct standards designed to prevent the unauthorized diversion of opioids.
Patients should be aware that all prescription-based treatments must involve a formal clinical assessment by their own provider. If you have concerns about the legitimacy of a prescription or the professional conduct of a provider, contact the New York State Department of Health.
The takeaway
This case underscores the critical importance of legitimate medical prescribing practices for controlled substances. Patients are encouraged to verify that all medications are issued following an individualized, in-person clinical assessment by their own physician.
What happens next
A hearing will be held by the State Board for Professional Medical Conduct within 90 days of the August 18, 2026, suspension order to reach a final decision on the status of the physician's license.
Further reading
For more information on state guidelines and resources, visit Substance Abuse.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily News.
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