Medical License on the Line After Revenge Porn Charge

The Ohio State Medical Board is weighing whether a former Summa Health executive can keep his medical license after being accused of sharing revenge porn. Vivek Bhalla, 46, once led the Summa Health Medical Group in Summit County. A grand jury indicted him last October on a fifth‑degree felony for sending explicit images of a woman he knew personally to her family and even a landscaper. Bhalla admitted the act was an ill‑judged joke, hoping to get a discount on landscaping services. He reported the charge himself to the board after the indictment, according to his lawyer Donald Malarcik. Investigators noted that Bhalla’s actions could lead the board to suspend or revoke his license, a serious consequence for any physician.In March, Bhalla entered the Intervention in Lieu of Conviction program, pledging guilty and agreeing to treatment for underlying mental health or substance abuse issues that may have driven his behavior. His lawyer said the stress from both work and personal life played a role in that day’s decision, but did not detail the specific problems. Both the victim and prosecutors approved his participation in the program. Ohio law allows defendants with no prior criminal record and not charged with a high‑level felony to join this program if a court professional deems mental health or substance abuse a factor. Bhalla is expected to complete the program by March 2027, after which the charges could be dismissed if he finishes successfully. The board’s final decision will determine whether Bhalla can resume practicing medicine in Ohio.