IF IT WADDLES LIKE A DUCK...QUACKS LIKE A DUCK, NOT A DR.

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

If it waddles like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it can't call itself a doctor.

And if the "doc" runs for the U.S. 34th Congressional Representative seat which will be left vacant after incumbent Filemon Vela Jr. announced he will not seek reelection to his congressional district on the southern border in 2022, the Texas Medical Board – after inviting him and his attorney to a cease-and-desist" hearing – says he can't call himself a doctor.

Vela, a five-term congressman has easily won reelection in what has been a solidly Democratic district that he took in 2012, is joining wife Rose on the Democratic National Committee to help elect Democrats.

When "Dr." Rey Gonzalez ran against Vela in 2020, Vela bested him 111,439 to 84,119. Two other candidates amassed some 5,469 votes.

But Gonzalez's campaign literature and ads labeled him a "Dr." although he never practiced medicine although his career included serving as a Captain in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and, earning a degree  from Baylor University in 2002, an an M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine in 2008.

In his campaign appeals, Gonzalez wrote: 

"I am a graduate of Baylor University and hold both a medical degree (M.D.) from Ross University School of Medicine and a law degree (J.D.) from The University of Dayton. 

"With experience in medical science and as a former adjunct professor at the University of Texas at Brownsville, I understand the need for better educational opportunity and affordable access to health care in South Texas.

And he listed his medical background as "Diplomate, American Board of Legal Medicine."

But the board wasn't buying any of it. 

The board found that : Respondent referred to himself in his campaign videos, social media, and
advertising as a “physician” and “medical doctor” and as a “Dr.”

Respondent also represented that he was a physician in interviews during the campaign, including stating that “[A]s a physician, I recognize the importance of emphasizing lifestyle modifications which, if adopted, lead to healthy states...”

On October 1, 2020, Respondent represented to the Board that he would no longer refer to himself as a “physician” and would “attempt to correct anyone who does so in the future.”

However, Respondent did not remove the content described above from his website and social media.

Respondent continues to use the title Dr. Rey Gonzalez online and on his social media without designating the authority under which the title was issued or the college or honorary degree that gives rise to the use of the title “Dr.” or “physician.”

By holding himself out as a physician without designating the authority giving rise to the title(s), Respondent violated the Healing Arts Identification Act and the Medical Practice Act.

On February 26, the board issued an order prohibiting Gonzalez from holding himself off as a physician or medical doctor under administrative penalty and a fine of $5,000 for each violation. 

1."(Gonzalez) is prohibited from acting as, or holding himself out to be, a licensed physician in the State of Texas;

2. Respondent is prohibited from referring to himself as a doctor or physician in any manner, including by referring to himself as “doctor,” or “Dr.,” unless he also designates the authority under which the title is used or the college or honorary degree that gives rise to the use of the title; and 

3. Any violation of this Order constitutes grounds for imposing an administrative penalty of up to $5,000 for each violation, and/or each day of a continuing violation, of the Medical Practice Act.