Dallas, Texas — The Texas Medical Board has temporarily suspended the medical license of a physician charged in connection with the death of a patient at a Freestone County medical spa.
On June 9, 2026, a disciplinary panel of the Texas Medical Board ordered the immediate temporary suspension, without prior notice, of the medical license of Dr. Michael Patrick Gallagher after determining he had been arrested for criminally negligent homicide, a qualifying offense under the Texas Occupations Code.
According to court records, Gallagher was serving as the medical director for Luxe Med Spa in Wortham when patient Jenifer Cleveland died after receiving intravenous therapy allegedly administered by the facility's owner.
A Freestone County arrest warrant was executed on April 29, 2026, charging Gallagher with one count each of murder, manslaughter, and criminally negligent homicide, along with multiple counts of delivery of a dangerous drug. He was booked into the Freestone County Jail.
Authorities also charged Luxe Med Spa owner Amber Johnson in April with murder, manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, multiple counts of delivery of a dangerous drug, practicing medicine without a license, and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.
The suspension marks the second disciplinary action taken against Gallagher by the Texas Medical Board.
In December 2023, the board imposed emergency restrictions on his medical license after determining his unrestricted practice posed a continuing threat to public welfare.
Under those restrictions, Gallagher was limited to practicing anesthesiology and was prohibited from supervising or delegating medical duties or prescribing authority to physician assistants, advanced practice registered nurses, surgical assistants, or any unlicensed individuals.
The board found at that time that Gallagher failed to properly supervise an unlicensed individual who was administering intravenous treatments, including prescription medications. According to the board's findings, complications arose that staff were not trained to manage, resulting in a patient's death.
The Texas Medical Board said a temporary suspension hearing with notice will be scheduled as soon as practicable, with at least 10 days' notice provided to Gallagher unless he waives that requirement.
The emergency suspension will remain in effect until the board takes further action.
The criminal charges against Gallagher and Johnson remain allegations. Both are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
