A smart mother makes often a better diagnosis than a poor doctor.
~August Bier

Complaints against Envita doctors

On June 10, 2004, the Arizona State Board of Naturopathic Medical Examiners issued Letters of Concern to three Envita doctors, Dr. Eugene Eihausen, Dr. Daniel Kellman, and Dr. Santo Prato (aka Dino Prato).

The letters were in response to complaints by patients as follows:

Apparent excessive treatment of patients who are not severely ill. Excessive fees and the insufficient explanations of fees to be charged for treatments. The excessive amount of time spent at the first patient visit which has the potential to overwhelm a patient.

A Letter of Concern is issued when there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, but the board believes that the person should modify or eliminate certain practices and that continuation of the activities that led to the information being submitted to the board may result in action against the person’s license, certificate or registration.”.

On August 1, 2006, the Arizona State Board of Naturopathic Medical Examiners issued Notices of Complaint to Dr. Eugene Eihausen and Dr. Gioacchino Franco of Envita.

In part, the complaints stated that the doctors were:

… using experimental forms of diagnosis or treatment without adequate informed consent of the patient or the patient’s legal guardian and without conforming to experimental criteria including protocols, detailed records, periodic analysis ofresults and periodic review by a medical peer review committee as approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration or its successor agency.

Envita responded that they were consulting with a law firm whose practice head was a former FDA attorney and that they were intending to hire a former FDA inspector as consultant to help them bring their procedures into compliance.

Is Dr. Dino a doctor?

Dino Prato, aka Prato Santo, is named as the President of Envita Natural Medical Centers on their corporate documents.

He is also named as the President of the Fullness of Life Foundation on their Form 990 for 2006.

Dino Prato is listed as an ND or NMD, or Naturopathic Medical Doctor on numerous websites including naturalmedicine.com, oxygenhealingtherapies.com, digitalnaturopath.com, excite.com, health-links.org, and many others.

On July 18, 2004, Envita prepared a press release detailing how Sandy Yozpovic, the current president of the Fullness of Life Foundation, was cured of her end stage colon cancer using natural immunotherapy techniques developed and administered by Envita. Excerpted from the article:

"Our team has selected treatments and therapies from all over the world to help our patients reach their highest health potential. We recognize that all cancer, autoimmune disease, etc. patients are not the same. As our patients are treated on an individualized basis, they may not receive the same treatments and therapies," explained Dr. Dino Prato.

…

We focus on the underlying nature of our patient’s condition, focusing on the whole person and not just their symptoms. We support the body’s natural healing process and remove any impediments that may get in the way of optimum health,” explained Prato.

About Envita:

Dr. Dino Prato
Cell 480- 694- 8852
Office 602-569- 4144
Toll Free 1-866-830-4576
drdino@cox.net

On June 7, 2005, Envita prepared another press release about Sandy Yozpovic and her experience at Envita. Excerpted from the original press release:

Dr. Dino Prato, head of Research and Development at Envita Natural Medical Center commented on the treatment strategy.

"The body’s own immune system is the most powerful thing we have to fight cancer. If the immune system is impaired, patients have less of a chance of responding to any kind of treatment; if the immune system is healthy and intact, patients have a greater chance of responding to treatments”.
…
For more information on Envita Natural Medical Center, Dr. Prato or Sandy Yozipovic contact Anna Garcia at anna@behealthyamerica.com or at ( 602 ) 569-4144.

The article on Envita’s website has been modified from the original. Excerpted from the revised article:

The doctors at Envita Natural Medical Center comment on the treatment strategy.

"The body’s own immune system is the most powerful thing we have to fight cancer. If the immune system is impaired, patients have less of a chance of responding to any kind of treatment; if the immune system is healthy and intact, patients have a greater chance of responding to treatments".

On June 14, 2005, one week after the above press release was submitted, the Arizona Naturopathic Board of Medical Examiners met. The minutes of the meeting state in part:

B. Discussion and Consideration of unlicensed persons using protected title

  1. Question for the Board: Does the Board want to open an investigation regarding Dino Prato / GA?

After discussion and consideration, the Board voted to move forward with this issue and bring it to the County Attorney and issue a possible injunction against Dino Prato.

On October 11, 2007, Dino Prato appeared before the Board of Medical Examiners to request modification of the subpoena requesting documentation supporting his title. The request was denied. Excerpted from the minutes:

  1. Discussion, Consideration, Possible Decision and Vote by Board of Administrative and Procedural Matters. The Board may go into executive session to discuss records exempt by law from public inspection. The Board may also go into executive session to request legal advice from assistant attorney general.

    1. Dino Prato, Case No. 06-025. Petition to limit or modify subpoena duces tecum.
      Mr. Prato was present with Counsel Mr. Jerrey Gaffaney.

    Ms. Barron moved to go into Executive Session for Legal Advise, Second by Dr. Walker, Motion carried 6 Ayes, 1 Absent.

    Executive Session was entered into at 1:50 PM.
    The Board returned to Open Session at 2:00 PM.

    After discussion and consideration by the Board, Ms Barron moved to deny the request to modify the subpoena duces tecum based on evidence that has been presented supporting the allegations and pursuant to 32-1522 A (5) and 32-1501 (30) (rr), Second by Dr. Cheslon. Motion carried 6 Ayes, 1 Absent.

On March 13, 2008, Dino Prato appeared before the board once again and withdrew his application for licensure. Excerpted from the minutes of the March 2008 meeting:

  1. Regulatory Matters

    1. Dino Prato, Case No. 06-025- License Application –Investigative Interview.

      This item was taken into consideration out of order and moved ahead of items 4 (A), 3 and 4.
      Dr. Rubin recused himself.
      Mr. Prato was present with Attorney’s Mr. Jerry Gaffaney and Ms. Ann-Marie Anderson. The Board was presented with a previously negotiated Consent Agreement, signed by Mr. Prato, ordering withdrawal of Mr. Prato’s application for licensure. After discussion and consideration of the consent agreement by the Board, Dr. Walker moved to accept the consent agreement, Second by Dr. Waldman. Roll Call: Dr. Waldman; Aye, Mr. Micuda; Aye, Mr. Zang; Aye, Dr. Walker; Aye, Ms. Barron; Aye, Dr. Chelson; Aye. 6 Ayes, 1 Recused.

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