Carlos Chacon Surrendered Arizona Medical License
The surgeon relinquished his professional credentials following a 2024 guilty plea for voluntary manslaughter.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Carlos Chacon has formally surrendered his medical license in Arizona after a board vote held last week. This decision follows his release from prison earlier this year regarding the 2018 death of a patient during surgery.
Why it matters
The action concludes the regulatory process for the surgeon after he served 18 months of a three-year sentence for voluntary manslaughter. The board acceptance of his license surrender prevents him from practicing medicine in the state.
Carlos Chacon served 1.5 years of a total 3-year prison sentence following his conviction. The 2018 incident involved a patient left unattended for more than 3 hours.
The players
Carlos Chacon
He is a former surgeon who served prison time following a voluntary manslaughter conviction related to a 2018 surgical death.
Arizona Medical Board
This state regulatory body is responsible for licensing physicians and enforcing professional standards across Arizona.
Megan Espinoza
She was a 36-year-old patient who died following complications during a breast augmentation procedure in 2018.
The details
The Arizona Medical Board accepted a legal agreement between the state Attorney General and Chacon regarding the surrender of his license. The case stems from a 2018 breast augmentation surgery in Bonita, California, where an untrained nurse administered a fatal dose of fentanyl and ketamine.
Timeline
Megan Espinoza died following plastic surgery in 2018.
Carlos Chacon received a three-year prison sentence in 2024.
Carlos Chacon was released from prison in March 2026.
Carlos Chacon surrendered his Arizona medical license in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This surrender marks the final regulatory milestone following the legal proceedings initiated by the 2018 Espinoza surgical death case. It highlights the lasting administrative consequences for practitioners involved in fatal clinical errors.
Patients seeking surgical procedures in Arizona can confirm the current status of any physician through public state records. This action ensures that the individual is no longer legally authorized to provide medical services in the state.
The takeaway
Maintaining transparency regarding medical provider credentials remains a vital aspect of patient safety. Residents should verify the licensure status of all medical professionals through official state portals before undergoing procedures.
Further reading
For more information on state licensing requirements, visit the Nursing Jobs section.
