Doctor accused of running illegal pain clinic appears in court
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A doctor whose office was raided by the DEA was in federal court Thursday, accused of running an illegal pain management clinic.
Dr. Melanie Mencer-Parks is charged with one count of conspiracy to unlawfully distribute controlled substances. Court documents said she was illegally distributing drugs like hydrocodone and oxycodone at her office, Synergy Medical and Wellness Group, on the 1200 block of Binz Street.
"I'm in shock because I had an appointment yesterday they canceled said she had an emergency and they scheduled me for today, so I'm in shock," said Shelby Mayo, one of Mencer-Parks' patients.
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Mayo said while it is a shock, she's not surprised. She said she always got a bad vibe from her and some of her staff.
"I initially stopped going to her because I didn't feel like she cared about my health," she said.
Court documents reveal more information about Mencer-Parks' alleged operation:
"...pain patients who planned to come to Synergy for a doctor's visit to obtain a prescription were required to call a specific number...the patients were given an appointment, which was scheduled on the office's appointment schedule, color coded to indicate a pain appointment.
"After scheduling an appointment, the "patient" would come to Synergy at a specific time....upon arrival of pain patient..[they] would meet them outside the office to collect cash payment prior to the patient's appointment with Mencer-Parks."
"I'm really not surprised," said Mayo.
Prior to this arrest, Dr. Mencer-Parks was out on bond for another charge: In May of 2014, she was charged with conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud. Her trial was set for mid-September.
