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Regents Actions in 72 Professional Discipline Cases

July 17, 2019

I. SUMMARY SUSPENSION

Nursing

Teddy A. Germain; Licensed Practical Nurse; Amsterdam, NY 12010; Lic. No. 281411; Cal. No. 31506; Application for summary suspension granted.

II. REVOCATIONS AND SURRENDERS

Chiropractic

Kenneth M. Gross; Chiropractor; Windermere, FL 34786-5594; Lic. No. 009658; Cal. No. 31318; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Health Care Claims Fraud, a 3rd Degree offense, in the State of New Jersey, which in New York State would constitute Insurance Fraud in the 5th Degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Dentistry

Jessica Barcessat; Dentist; Sunny Isles, FL 33180; Lic. No. 054774; Cal. No. 31269; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of failing to document, during a patient’s initial evaluation, a discussion had with said patient regarding referral to an orthodontist and options for treatment other than dental crowns.

Massage Therapy

Jonathan D. Barbere; Massage Therapist; East Meadow, NY 11554-1217; Lic. No. 027439; Cal. No. 31374; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Forcible Touching, a class A misdemeanor.

Nursing 

Carrie Ann Withey; Registered Professional Nurse; Tobyhanna, PA 18466-7766; Lic. No. 628771; Cal. No. 28414; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of removing a drug from a facility ‘s drug supply ostensibly for patient administration but actually for her own use; answering falsely regarding the license discipline question on a nursing employment application and on two New York State nursing re-registration renewal forms.

Danny Moreno; Licensed Practical Nurse; Saint Cloud, FL 34772-7058; Lic. No. 258653; Cal. No. 31140; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Unlawful Sexual Activity with a Minor, a 2nd Degree Felony, and Incest, a 3rd Degree Felony, in violation of applicable Florida statutes.

Marie Gustin Charlot Joseph; Registered Professional Nurse; Plantation, FL 33313; Lic. No. 403775; Cal. No. 31231; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing the controlled substance hydromorphone for her own use, in the State of Florida.

Nilo D. Vales; Licensed Practical Nurse; Pico Rivera, CA 90660-5921; Lic. No. 145825; Cal. No. 31264; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of administering a 25 mg dosage of the non-controlled substance metoprolol tartrate to a patient without a physician’s order.

Cheryle Lavonne Leeper; Registered Professional Nurse; Boley, OK 74829; Lic. No. 520240; Cal. No. 31271; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of entering erroneous information in a patient’s medical chart in the State of Oklahoma and falsely stating on a registration renewal application that a licensing authority had not disciplined her.

Teresa Denise Liscano Kent; Registered Professional Nurse; Clovis, CA 93611-0677; Lic. No. 593022; Cal. No. 31272; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been found guilty of professional misconduct in California, where the conduct if committed in New York would constitute practicing the profession of nursing with gross negligence.

Kerry Beth McCabe; Registered Professional Nurse; Los Alamitos, CA 90720; Lic. No. 347385; Cal. No. 31310; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of finding of professional misconduct by the California State Board of Registered Nursing for committing gross negligence, which if committed in New York, would constitute professional misconduct for practicing the profession of nursing with gross negligence on a particular occasion, in violation of Section 6509(2) of the New York Education Law.

Ferdinand Patrick Alphonse; Licensed Practical Nurse; Baldwin, NY 11510; Lic. No. 239511; Cal. No. 31337; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the 1st Degree, a class E felony, and Willful Violation of Health Laws, a class A misdemeanor.

Stephanie Baboulis a/k/a Stephanie Perez; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Manalapan, NJ 07726; Lic. Nos. 244565, 482617; Cal. Nos. 31349, 31350; Application to surrender licenses granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Eluding, a crime of the 3rd Degree in the State of New Jersey, which in New York State would constitute Unlawful Fleeing a police Officer in a Motor Vehicle in the 3rd Degree, a class A misdemeanor.

Sharon Elizabeth Vernon; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Somerset, NJ 08873; Lic. Nos. 200094, 431475; Cal. Nos. 31397, 31398; Application to surrender licenses granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been found guilty of professional misconduct in New Jersey where the conduct if committed in New York would constitute practicing the profession of nursing fraudulently.

Pharmacy

Sanjay R. Patel; Pharmacist; Edison, NJ 08837; Lic. No. 047948; Cal. No. 29400; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: Revocation, $10,000 fine.

ABC Drugs PP Inc. d/b/a ABC Drugs; Pharmacy; Bronx, NY 10472; Reg. No. 035268; Cal. No. 31325; Application to surrender registration granted. Summary: Registrant did not contest the charge of failing to notify the New York State Board of Pharmacy that it had vacated its registered premises in December 2017 and thereafter failing to notify the New York State Board of Pharmacy of the disposition of prescription-required drugs which had been located in the registered premises.

David Michael Burke; Pharmacist; Wheatland, WY 82201; Lic. No. 035893; Cal. No. 31348; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing prescription drugs from a pharmacy in the State of Wyoming.

Social Work

Jessica E. Tannacore; Licensed Master Social Worker; Lindenhurst, NY 11757-3341; Lic. No. 094437; Cal. No. 29303; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: Revocation; $500 fine.

Clarice Joy Thompson; Licensed Master Social Worker; Amityville, NY 11701; Lic. No. 081070; Cal. No. 31366; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of conduct in the profession which evidences moral unfitness.

III. OTHER REGENTS DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Chiropractic

Keith Mitchell Bierman a/k/a Keith M. Bierman; Chiropractor; Syosset, NY 11791; Lic. No. 006046; Cal. No. 31078; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

John Charles Kavanaugh; Chiropractor; East Hampton, NY 11937; Lic. No. 007367; Cal. No. 31079; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Dentistry

Neil Robert Schachter; Dentist; Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; Lic. No. 036197; Cal. No. 30968; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation.

Grace Yun-Hua Hsu, Dentist; East Norwich, NY 11732; Lic. No. 048603; Cal. No. 31052; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $1,000 fine.

Grace Hsu DDS P.C.; Dentistry; East Norwich, NY 11732; Cal. No. 31053; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year probation, $1,500 fine.

Neha Saxena; Dental Hygienist; Secaucus, NJ 07094-2222; Lic. No. 027204; Cal. No. 31284; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine.

Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology

David Edward Iocco; Professional Engineer; Corning, NY 14830; Lic. No. 047171; Cal. No. 31095; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

Nursing

Sierra Patricia Haas; Registered Professional Nurse; Canastota, NY 13032; Lic. No. 649507; Cal. No. 29423; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation.

Vonetta Anastacia Tillman a/k/a Vonetta A. McGarrell; Licensed Practical Nurse; Yonkers, NY 10705; Lic. No. 292624; Cal. No. 29491; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 months actual suspension, 22 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation.

Rebecca Ann Sammons; Licensed Practical Nurse; Albany, NY 12205; Lic. No. 287334; Cal. No. 29698; Found guilty of professional misconduct; Penalty: 3 months actual suspension, 21 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice 2 years probation.

Erica Latrice Ransom a/k/a Erica Latrice Britt; Licensed Practical Nurse; Kinsey, AL 36303-7706; Lic. No. 309228; Cal. No. 30114; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon:  Indefinite actual suspension for not less than 2 months and until fit to practice, upon return to practice in the State of New York , 2 years probation , $250 fine.

Carol A. Farnsworth; Registered Professional Nurse; Canandaigua, NY 14424; Lic. No. 429584; Cal. No. 30218; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Ryan Charcholla; Registered Professional Nurse; Rochester, NY 14607; Lic. No. 676423; Cal. No. 30341; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Rita Shazo Sherifi; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Brewerton, NY 13029; Lic. Nos. 292756, 640525; Cal. Nos. 30580, 30581; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Kimberly Ann Lee; Registered Professional Nurse; Wellsville, NY 14895; Lic. No. 476974; Cal. No. 30672; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Merritt Lauren Stuver; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14606; Lic. No. 233308; Cal. No. 30696; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 1 month and until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Michelle Lynn Lynden; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Fredonia, NY 14063; Lic. Nos. 212585, 666732; Cal. Nos. 30773, 30774; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Gordon James Azzarella; Registered Professional Nurse; Cherry Creek, NY 14723; Lic. No. 568236; Cal. No. 30887; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Dusty Gail Pedersen; Registered Professional Nurse; Scotia, NY 12302-5525; Lic. No. 483550; Cal. No. 30918; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Charlene Haight; Licensed Practical Nurse; Ulster Park, NY 12487; Lic. No. 323684; Cal. No. 30920; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine.

Shannon Marie Smith; Licensed Practical Nurse; Garner, NC 27529; Lic. No. 284966; Cal. No. 30928; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, upon return to practice in the State of New York, 1 year probation , $250 fine.

Kiesha Cassandra Barratt; Registered Professional Nurse; New Rochelle, NY 10803; Lic. No. 637858; Cal. No. 30954; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Lisa Solomon; Licensed Practical Nurse; Syracuse, NY 13212; Lic. No. 216288; Cal. No. 30967; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Erika Beatriz Hassan; Registered Professional Nurse; Lake Stevens, WA 98258; Lic. No. 552909; Cal. No. 30978; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, upon return to practice in the State of New York, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Michele Louise Welsh-McCormick; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rome, NY 13440; Lic. No. 286034; Cal. No. 30980; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Maria Stella Artusa; Registered Professional Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (Adult Health); Inwood, NY 11096; Lic. No. 508789, Cert. No. 306834; Cal. Nos. 30986, 30987; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 months actual suspension, 22 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation.

Ami Renee Ozarowsky; Licensed Practical Nurse; Rochester, NY 14626-3149; Lic. No. 311832; Cal. No. 30992; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Megan Elizabeth Miller; Licensed Practical Nurse; Gloversville, NY 12078; Lic. No. 299000; Cal. No. 31012; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Christopher Paul Medina; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Newark Valley, NY 13811; Lic. Nos. 273157, 548385; Cal. Nos. 31016, 31017; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation.

Mary Lynn Massonne; Registered Professional Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (Family Health); Saratoga Springs, NY 12866; Lic. No. 397377, Cert. No. 332837; Cal. Nos. 31025, 31026; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation.

Kristin Marie Bennett a/k/a Kristin M. Koch; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Ridge, NY 11961-1196; Lic. Nos. 204885, 538604; Cal. Nos. 31043, 31044; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Carrie A. Barrett; Licensed Practical Nurse; Brockport, NY 14420; Lic. No. 283048; Cal. No. 31077; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 6 months and until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $750 fine.

Charlotte Darkoa Asare; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Germantown, MD 20874; Lic. Nos. 263648, 517297; Cal. Nos. 31097, 31099; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 6 months actual suspension, 18 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice in the State of New York, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Ekaete Sunday Omon; Registered Professional Nurse; Houston, TX 77099; Lic. No. 575399; Cal. No. 31101; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension of not less than 6 months and until fit to practice, upon return to practice in the State of New York, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Melissa B. Murray a/k/a Melissa B. Stevens; Registered Professional Nurse; Apalachin, NY 13732; Lic. No. 664695; Cal. No. 31114; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Alexia Marie Van Treese; Registered Professional Nurse; Cortland, NY 13045; Lic. No. 519281; Cal. No. 31146; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation .

Rebecca Ann Seymour; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Johnson City, NY 13790; Lic. Nos. 277545, 685761; Cal. Nos. 31147, 31148; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension until fit to practice, upon return to practice, 2 years probation , $500 fine.

Alex Ruben Gonzalez a/k/a Alex R. Gonzalez; Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Professional Nurse; Port Jervis, NY 12771-5070; Lic. Nos. 281212, 657610; Cal. Nos. 31332, 31268; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Indefinite actual suspension of not less than 3 months and until fit to practice, upon return to pratice, 2 years probation.

Pharmacy

William Kenman Lee; Pharmacist; Forest Hills, NY 11375; Lic. No. 054025; Cal. 31092; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $1,500 fine.

Podiatry

Simeon Eli Isaacs; Podiatrist; Brooklyn, NY 11230; Lic. No. 002897; Cal. No. 31050; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $2,500 fine.

Public Accountancy

Lawrence Jay Ringer; Certified Public Accountant; Queensbury, NY 12804; Lic. No. 061953; Cal. No. 30912; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Social Work

Marianna Zara a/k/a Marianna Grennan; Licensed Clinical Social Worker; New York, NY 10009; Lic. No. 049385; Cal. No. 28420; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.