Psychologist hit with $2,000 fine

A followup to an earlier report from Michigan, As seen in the Jackson Citizen Patriot

The state has slapped a $2,000 fine on a Jackson psychologist who has testified as an expert in numerous family court cases.

John Steven Hand, 63, pleaded no contest in March to charges of "violation of general duty and negligence" in a 2002 Branch County Circuit Court custody battle.

Hand made "insupportable conclusions" in his expert report and "accuses the adoptive mother of lying" that her husband sexually molested their 6-year-old daughter, the state Department of Community Health's Bureau of Health Professionals complaint claims.

"It still stands that he failed to exercise minimal care, the minimal standards of the profession," said Ray Garza, acting director for the Bureau of Health Professionals' health regulatory division.

Hand, who practices at 505 Wildwood Ave., said the violation amounted to "relatively small potatoes."

Garza disagreed, saying the board took action against Hand's conduct, not just how he wrote his report. Hand was ordered to undergo ethics training with psychologist Jack Haynes.

The state has reported Hand to two federal data banks, National Practitioner and Healthcare Integrity and Protection.

Hand psychologically evaluated people he had never met in the custody case, documents show. Both state and county DHS officials declined to comment if they would hire Hand again.

The psychologist said his negligence violation will make him think twice about serving as a family court expert again. "I'm conscious that Jackson is a small town," Hand said. "This will hurt me."