Published: March 14, 2008 05:30 pm         

MEDINA: Doctor’s office searched

Medina

Doctor’s office searched

Hassan Medical targeted by State Attorney General’s office

By NICOLE COLEMAN

colemann@gnnewspaper.com

Investigators with the New York State Attorney General’s Office raided a Gwinn Street family physician’s office during patient visiting hours Friday.

Wearing official jackets and golden badges, they arrived in multiple SUV trucks at Hassan Medical Group PLLC, 1038 Gwinn St., Medina sometime Friday morning.

At least five State Attorney General officials remained at the office throughout the day probing the employees with questions and apparently looking through records. None were able to confirm the reason for their presence or whether they were sent by, or affiliated with, the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

One female investigator wearing a brown tweed pant suit and plastic gloves was inquiring about patient record procedures Friday afternoon about1:30 p.m.

The doctors currently practicing at Hassan Medical are Syed H. Raza, specializing in Internal Medicine and Ghulam Mustafa, specializing in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine. Syed S. Hassan retired as a family physician with the practice approximately seven years ago, according to a secretary who wished to remain anonymous.

Located on the corner of Frank Street, the office is a modest sized white ranch with a full length front ramp for handicap accessibility. A sign that reads “After Hours Medical Center” rests on the front lawn.

A phone call placed by The Journal-Register to Hassan Medical’s sister office at 210 South Main St. in Albion approximately 2:30 p.m. Friday ended with a voice message stating the office was closed. Normal office hours are typically Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Both Mustafa and Raza graduated from Dow Medical College at the University of Karachi in Pakistan 20 years ago. Mustafa went on to complete his residency at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and Raza went on to complete his residency at St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York City, an academic affiliate of Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Normal office hours for the Medina location are Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

Officials in the Buffalo State Attorney General satellite office were not available for comment.

Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.