Regents Actions In 55 Professional Discipline Cases And 1 Restoration Petition

The Board of Regents announced disciplinary actions resulting in the surrender of 11 licenses as well as 44 other disciplinary actions.  The penalty indicated for each case relates solely to the misconduct set forth in that particular case.  In addition, the Board acted upon 1 restoration petition.

I.  SURRENDERS

DENTISTRY

Joel Phillip Kurtz; Dentist; Bethel, CT 06801; Lic. No. 030933; Cal. No. 25753; Application to surrender license granted.  Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of inappropriately touching a patient.

ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING

Faustino Prado; Professional Engineer; Tampa, FL 33618; Lic. No. 049342; Cal. No. 25701; Application to surrender license granted.

NURSING

Deborah Ann Geraci-Morgano; Licensed Practical Nurse; Wappingers Falls, NY 12590-6013; Lic. No. 253352; Cal. No. 25634; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of 2 misdemeanors for Driving While Intoxicated.

Pamela Ann Reese a/k/a Pamela Pierce; Licensed Practical Nurse; Hogansburg, NY 13655; Lic. No. 250929; Cal. No. 25732; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Robbery in the 3rd Degree, Driving While Intoxicated as a felony, Welfare Fraud in the 4th Degree, and Aggravated Unlicensed Operation.

Sari Eileen Yates; Registered Professional Nurse; East Windsor, NJ 08520; Lic. No. 417866; Cal. No. 25779; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been found guilty of improper professional practice or professional misconduct in New Jersey.

Terri A. Brown; Licensed Practical Nurse; Buffalo, NY 14211; Lic. No. 266321; Cal. No. 25788; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of 3 counts of Falsifying Business records in the 1st Degree.

Jaclyn Marie Torrey; Licensed Practical Nurse; East Yaphank, NY 11967-1505; Lic. No. 261929; Cal. No. 25800; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the allegation that, on or about January 8, 2011, while employed as a licensed practical nurse at Huntington Hills Center for Health & Rehabilitation, Melville, New York, she stole the controlled substance Dilaudid from said facility.

Stephenie H. Smith; Registered Professional Nurse; Colchester, VT 05446; Lic. No. 519264; Cal. No. 25823; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been found guilty of improper professional practice or professional misconduct in Vermont.

Mary E. Papaleo; Licensed Practical Nurse; Wolcott, NY 14590; Lic. No. 243534; Cal. No. 25834; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing a patient’s medications for her own personal use.

PHARMACY

Mario J. Caruso, Jr.; Pharmacist; Carmel, NY 10512; Lic. No. 031536; Cal. No. 25859; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Sexual Abuse in the 1st Degree, a felony.

Scott Burko; Pharmacist; West Harrison, NY 10604; Lic. No. 036863; Cal. No. 25860; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Conspiracy (1 count) and Dispensing Without Valid Prescriptions of Prescription Drugs Held for Sale After Shipment in Interstate Commerce (2 counts), all felonies.

II. OTHER REGENTS DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

CHIROPRACTIC

Thomas Joseph Schuette; Hauppauge, NY 11788; Lic. No. 008267; Cal. No. 25356; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 18 month actual suspension, 6 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence if and when return to practice.

Dominick Fiore; Spring Valley, NY 10977; Lic. No. 005174; Cal. No. 25567; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation.

DENTISTRY

Judith Mori; Dentist; Rhinebeck, NY 12572; Lic. No. 039611; Cal. No. 25395; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Partial actual suspension in certain area until successfully complete course of retraining in said certain area, 2 years probation, $10,000 fine.

Eufrocina Nicolas Caluag; Dentist; Jamaica, NY 11432; Lic. No. 046767; Cal. No. 25590; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 month actual suspension, 22 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

Robert Pierre Louis; Dentist; Baldwin, NY 11510; Lic. No. 043350; Cal. No. 25694; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

Sean Emerson Barnwell; Dentist; Columbia, SC 29223-3007; Lic. No. 052536; Cal. No. 25699; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Censure and Reprimand, $500 fine payable within 3 months.

Stanley Cohen; Dentist; West Palm Beach, FL 33412; Lic. No. 023939; Cal. No. 25702; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year actual suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice in New York State.

ENGINEERING AND LAND SURVEYING

James Allen Koppenhaver; Professional Engineer; Wyomissing, PA 19610; Lic. No. 077142; Cal. No. 25638; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $5,000 fine.

MASSAGE THERAPY

Stephen M. Deshaw; Ballston Spa, NY 12020; Lic. No. 012208; Cal. No. 25678; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

NURSING

Grace Oyinlola Ayorinde; Licensed Practical Nurse; Brooklyn, NY 11236; Lic. No. 220159; Cal. No. 24930; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Alvin Rutherford; Registered Professional Nurse; Brooklyn, NY 11234; Lic. No. 581100; Cal. No. 25209; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice in New York State.

Blessing Arunsi Okuji; Registered Professional Nurse; Brooklyn, NY 11203-4321; Lic. No. 600624; Cal. No. 25212; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.

David Opong Aboagye; Licensed Practical Nurse; Deer Park, NY 11729; Lic. No. 285151; Cal. No. 25288; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until successful participation and completion of course of therapy and treatment, if needed, and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence if and when return to practice, $500 fine payable within 60 days.

Jillian Rose Kelly; Licensed Practical Nurse; Horseheads, NY 14845; Lic. No. 285607; Cal. No. 25304; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: $500 fine, 1 year suspension, execution of last 11 months of suspension stayed; probation 1 year.

Susan F. Knott; Registered Professional Nurse; Latham, NY 12110-4619; Lic. No. 346675; Cal. No. 25334; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Censure and Reprimand, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Tanika H. Walker; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14611-4023; Lic. No. 287722; Cal. No. 25352; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 2 years and until free from substance abuse and fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice, $500 fine.

Maryjane Torres; Licensed Practical Nurse; Selkirk, NY 12158; Lic. No. 257881; Cal. No. 25428; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 6 month actual suspension, 18 month stayed suspension, thereafter 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.

Tyrone Reid; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14604; Lic. No. 269486; Cal. No. 25475; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: $500 fine to be paid within 5 months, indefinite suspension until alcohol abuse-free and until fit to practice, subsequent to termination of suspension, probation 2 years to commence upon actual return to practice.

Angela C. Burek; Licensed Practical Nurse; Attica, NY 14011; Lic. No. 267305; Cal. No. 25481; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: $500 fine to be paid within 6 months, indefinite suspension for a minimum period of 9 months and until substance abuse-free and until fit to practice, probation 2 years to commence subsequent to termination of suspension and upon actual return to practice.

Sandra Joy Bell-Bernard; Licensed Practical Nurse; Hempstead, NY 11550; Lic. No. 233610; Cal. No. 25512;  Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: 2 month suspension.

Nicole A. Campo; Licensed Practical Nurse; Holtsville, NY 11742; Lic. No. 270888; Cal. No. 25518; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 month actual suspension, 22 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Melodee Armstrong; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Bronx, NY 10456; Lic. Nos. 243871, 496169; Cal. Nos. 25523, 25524; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Censure and Reprimand, 1 year probation.

Lisa E. Comfort; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14621; Lic. No. 226487; Cal. No. 25527; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $750 fine.

Leonard Finkelstein a/k/a Leonid Finkelshteyn; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Staten Island, NY 10312; Lic. Nos. 246203, 487886; Cal. Nos. 25552, 25551; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 24 months probation, $500 fine.

Lorraine Parente; Registered Professional Nurse; Whitestone, NY 11357; Lic. No. 485510; Cal. No. 25614; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation.

Jennifer S. Cenchitz; Licensed Practical Nurse; Galway, NY 12074; Lic. No. 261086; Cal. No. 25663; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine.

Stacy L. Zambrano; Registered Professional Nurse; East Yaphank, NY 11967-1505; Lic. No. 485350; Cal. No. 25673; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation.

Christine Pelio Olsson; Licensed Practical Nurse; Lake Grove, NY 11755; Lic. No. 205677; Cal. No. 25677; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 6 month actual suspension, 18 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation.

Jennifer L. Lazar; Registered Professional Nurse; Geneseo, NY 14454; Lic. No. 605337; Cal. No. 25686; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Kimberly Y. Cole; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14692; Lic. No. 294420; Cal. No. 25688; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Christina M. Gufler; Registered Professional Nurse; Roswell, GA 30075; Lic. No. 467285; Cal. No. 25712; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 1 year and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice in New York State.

Ericka L. Brown; Registered Professional Nurse; Gloversville, NY 12078-3202; Lic. No. 623329; Cal. No. 25722; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 5 month actual suspension, 19 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice, $500 fine.

Tracy Ann Niemi; Licensed Practical Nurse; Batavia, NY 14020; Lic. No. 297479; Cal. No. 25723; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 3 months and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice, $500 fine.

Sylvester Oswald Foote; Registered Professional Nurse; Glen Cove, NY 11542-5807; Lic. No. 511169; Cal. No. 25830; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,500 fine.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Francis Cavaliere; Occupational Therapist; Plainview, NY 11803; Lic. No. 009869; Cal. No. 25654; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: Indefinite suspension until alcohol abuse-free and until fit to practice, probation 2 years to commence subsequent to termination of suspension and upon actual return to practice.

PHARMACY

Irene Maninakis; Pharmacist; Beechurst, NY 11357-2949; Lic. No. 051831: Cal. No. 24866; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Censure and Reprimand, 1 year probation, $1,000 fine.

Ellen Scharaga; Pharmacist; Melville, NY 11747; Lic. No. 035222; Cal. No. 25623; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: 3 month suspension.

Matthew M. Peunic; Pharmacist; Niagara Falls, NY 14304; Lic. No. 030568; Cal. No. 25676; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $750 fine.

Ivan Gene-Kee Lau; Pharmacist; Phoenix, AZ 85023; Lic. No. 045295; Cal. No. 25685; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation to commence upon return to practice in New York State, $500 fine.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY

Andrew John Hugh MacIntyre Sims; Certified Public Accountant; Atlanta, GA 30303; Lic. No. 091385; Cal. No. 25534; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year actual suspension, 1 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $10,000 fine.

SOCIAL WORK

Michael J. Chiappone; Licensed Master Social Worker; Port Jefferson, NY 11777; Lic. No. 069130; Cal. No. 25765; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

III.  RESTORATION

The Board of Regents voted on September 13, 2011 to deny the petition for restoration of the registered professional nurse license of Lulex Licerio. Ms. Licerio’s license was originally revoked September 15, 2000.