A nonprofit clinic in LA Koreatown is accused of illegally performing Botox and filler procedures for years, risking its nonprofit status and fines.
A medical industry worker, A, recently told The Korea Daily that K Clinic, located in LA Koreatown, has conducted cosmetic procedures for at least six years with a profit motive despite its nonprofit status. A claimed the clinic ignored hygiene standards and legal licensing requirements.
Under current regulations, nonprofit clinics are prohibited from engaging in commercial medical practices. They receive tax benefits from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and government funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Violations can result in loss of nonprofit status and fines.
A provided The Korea Daily with photos of K Clinic’s promotional posters for the procedures and images showing poor pharmaceutical management. One photo showed Botox drugs stored inside a lunchroom refrigerator with food, instead of a medical-use fridge. Some drugs were left in syringes without protective coverings, raising concerns about infection risks and potential drug spoilage.
The clinic also used Royal 5, a Korean filler product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). A stated that K Clinic used the Botox product Nabota starting in 2017, although FDA approval was only granted in 2019.
K Clinic’s director, B Won, holds a nursing license. According to the California Board of Registered Nursing, Won was placed on probation from 2015 to 2018 for performing illegal Botox procedures. From 2009 to 2014, Won operated a med spa in Studio City, providing Botox, fillers, laser treatments, and prescriptions without supervision from a licensed physician, leading to disciplinary action.
Kate Lee, a healthcare consultant from Healthwise Divers who previously worked with K Consulting, criticized K Clinic’s board for not holding Director B Won accountable. She said, “The board knows all of this but does nothing to check B Won. If B Won flees after these problems escalate, the board will bear full responsibility, and I doubt they are prepared.”
In response, Director B Won denied the allegations. Won stated, “K Clinic was not a nonprofit from the beginning. After becoming nonprofit, we did not perform Botox or filler procedures.”
Regarding drug storage, Won explained, “During the pandemic, our medical fridge was full of vaccines, so we temporarily kept the drugs elsewhere. We never reused opened drugs on patients, and some leftover drugs were used personally.”
Won further claimed the accusations stemmed from a power struggle. Won said, “The informant wanted management control over K Clinic and spread fake news about me to the board to create conflict.”
BY KYEONGJUN KIM [kim.kyeongjun1@koreadaily.com]
