Local doctor gets license pulled

Family Practitioner Mark David Stoeckel closed his practice in Cedar Park and checked himself into a substance abuse facility.

Stoeckel, 38, had a practice on Whitestone Boulevard where he practiced family medicine until he closed it in mid-June - right before his license was suspended by the Texas Medical Board.

On June 27, the board and Dr. Stoeckel “entered into an agreed order of suspension that suspends his license indefinitely and requires that Dr. Stoeckel immediate[ly] cease the practice of medicine,” according to the board.

Stoeckel's lawyer, Louis Leichter of Leichter Law Firm of Austin, said no instances of problems with patients were raised. The board found out about Stoeckel's substance abuse problem when he self-reported his admission to the board.

Leichter said he could not disclose the type of substance Stoeckel abused, but said it was an over-the-counter substance that requires no prescription.

The agreement between Stoeckel and the board allows him to petition the board in the future to have the suspension stayed or lifted.

“In order to get his license back, he will need to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is sober, competent and fit to practice medicine competently and safely in accordance with the Texas Medical Practice Act and Texas Medical Board Administrative Rules,” said Leichter.

According to Stoeckel's physician profile with the Texas Medical Board, he graduated in 1997 from the University of Texas Medical School in Houston. He has been practicing medicine for nine years, five of which were in Texas. He has no prior history of problems or disciplinary actions against him.

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