Hawaii pain physician sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 38 charges

Hawaii anesthesiologist Rudolph Puana, MD, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison after being found guilty in April on 38 counts of opioid distribution, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Sept. 13.

Advertisement

Dr. Puana distributed more than 7,810 oxycodone 30mg pills to his friends so they could sell it to buy cocaine and pay for private school tuition, according to the Justice Department. He also gave fentanyl and oxycodone to a friend to pay for cocaine that they both used to party together. 

Dr. Puana introduced his best friend to what he called his “trinity,” a combination of cocaine, opioids and alcohol. He referred to hydrocodone pills as his “Skittles,” which he got from the “doctor’s candy store.” He also admitted to possessing seven firearms  — including handguns, rifles and a shotgun — while being addicted to narcotics, the department said.

Advertisement

Next Up in ASC News

  • Becker’s reported on 39 hospital mergers and acquisitions in 2025, ranging from rural hospital partnerships to massive, multi-state system expansions. …

  • Brewer, Maine-based Northern Light Health will close its primary care practice in Castine on Feb. 27, citing staffing challenges, declining…

  • The dynamics shaping mergers and acquisitions within the ASC space are constantly shifting as corporate entities push consolidation efforts and…

Advertisement

Comments are closed.