Searching for Summaries
Summary information of disciplinary actions taken against licensees, professional practice business entities, and pharmacy establishments by the Board of Regents in New York State since January 1, 1994, can be searched below by year, month, and profession. You may also search for an individual’s, entity’s or establishment’s status, and any applicable enforcement actions, with our Online Verification Search. Applicable disciplinary information will be listed under the Enforcement Actions tab within the search results.
In New York State, professional misconduct in all the professions (except that by physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants, which is investigated and prosecuted by the Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC) of the Department of Health) is investigated and prosecuted by the New York State Education Department's Office of the Professions. The Board of Regents, which also has responsibility for licensure in all the professions, is responsible for the final disposition of all disciplinary matters except those handled by OPMC.
Information on pre-1994 Regents Actions is available by phone: 518-474-3817, ext. 330; fax: 518-473-0578; e-mail: dplsdsu@nysed.gov, or by writing to the Office of the Professions.
By reviewing this material, the user accepts the terms, conditions and limitations under which this information is supplied.
December 2016
Respiratory Therapy
KATHLEEN MARIE NOVO; KENMORE, NY
Profession: Respiratory Therapist; Lic. No. 000459; Cal. No. 28975
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having disconnected a patient from a ventilator without a physician consultation or order wearing protective equipment confirming the identity of the health care proxy and the proper paperwork had been completed and ensuring the patient was receiving proper medication.
Social Work
LORI JO MURPHY (A/K/A MURPHY-PUTRELLO LORI JO); OSWEGO, NY
Profession: Licensed Clinical Social Worker; Lic. No. 037135; Cal. No. 25843
Action: Found guilty of professional misconduct Penalty $500 fine, 2 year suspension, execution of suspension stayed, upon service of Order and concurrent with stayed suspension, probation 2 years.
Summary: Licensee was found to be guilty of practicing the profession of nursing with negligence on more than one occasion in violation of Education Law Sec. 6509(2).
FRANCIS MICHAEL POLSENBERG; SONYEA, NY
Profession: Licensed Master Social Worker; Lic. No. 079433; Cal. No. 29065
Action: 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.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree.
FRANCIS MICHAEL POLSENBERG; SONYEA, NY
Profession: Licensed Master Social Worker; Lic. No. 079433; Cal. No. 29065
Action: 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.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd Degree.
November 2016
Chiropractic
RICHARD SETH HURWITZ; WOODMERE, NY
Profession: Chiropractor; Lic. No. 009834; Cal. No. 29191
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony.
RICHARD SETH HURWITZ; WOODMERE, NY
Profession: Chiropractor; Lic. No. 009834; Cal. No. 29191
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud, a felony.
Engineering
MICHAEL RABKIN; GOULDSBORO, PA
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 072225; Cal. No. 28907
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 12 month actual suspension, 12 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence following service of 12 month actual suspension.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Falsifying Business records in the 1st Degree, a class E felony.
MICHAEL RABKIN; GOULDSBORO, PA
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 072225; Cal. No. 28907
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 12 month actual suspension, 12 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence following service of 12 month actual suspension.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Falsifying Business records in the 1st Degree, a class E felony.
RUSSELL KENNETH TEAL (A/K/A TEAL RUSSELL KENNTETH); NORTH CANTON, OH
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 083679; Cal. No. 29243
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of failing to comply with the mandatory continuing education requirements to be registered to practice as a professional engineer.
RUSSELL KENNETH TEAL (A/K/A TEAL RUSSELL KENNTETH); NORTH CANTON, OH
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 083679; Cal. No. 29243
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of failing to comply with the mandatory continuing education requirements to be registered to practice as a professional engineer.
MICHAEL DAVID ZIMMERMAN; SUDBURY, MA
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 076087; Cal. No. 29242
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of practicing the profession of engineering with a lapsed license in the State of New Jersey and misrepresenting on a New York State registration renewal application that he had not been previously disciplined in any other jurisdiction.
MICHAEL DAVID ZIMMERMAN; SUDBURY, MA
Profession: Professional Engineer; Lic. No. 076087; Cal. No. 29242
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of practicing the profession of engineering with a lapsed license in the State of New Jersey and misrepresenting on a New York State registration renewal application that he had not been previously disciplined in any other jurisdiction.
Nursing
CYNTHIA OPUNI AGYEI (A/K/A OHENE CYNTHIA AGYEI); WEST ORANGE, NJ
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 557686; Cal. No. 28831
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 24 months probation, $1,000 fine.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Housing Subsidy Fraud, a misdemeanor.
CYNTHIA OPUNI AGYEI (A/K/A OHENE CYNTHIA AGYEI); WEST ORANGE, NJ
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 557686; Cal. No. 28831
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 24 months probation, $1,000 fine.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Housing Subsidy Fraud, a misdemeanor.
NOELLE LYNNE ANDERSON; WALLED LAKE, MI
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 595312; Cal. No. 29269
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been found guilty of professional misconduct in the State of Michigan, which conduct would be considered being habitually drunk or being dependent on, or a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens or other drugs having similar effects, if committed in New York State.
NOELLE LYNNE ANDERSON; WALLED LAKE, MI
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 595312; Cal. No. 29269
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been found guilty of professional misconduct in the State of Michigan, which conduct would be considered being habitually drunk or being dependent on, or a habitual user of narcotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, hallucinogens or other drugs having similar effects, if committed in New York State.
THERESA ARMSTRONG; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 242303; Cal. No. 28948
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing clonidine and hydroxyzine.
THERESA ARMSTRONG; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 242303; Cal. No. 28948
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 month actual suspension, 23 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of stealing clonidine and hydroxyzine.
PATRICIA R BEEBE; LYONS, NY
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 617846; Cal. No. 28868
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 6 months and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree.
PATRICIA R BEEBE; LYONS, NY
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 617846; Cal. No. 28868
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon Indefinite actual suspension for no less than 6 months and until fit to practice, upon termination of suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of having been convicted of Reckless Endangerment in the 2nd Degree.
ALTHENIA SHERRIE BETHEL; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 267477; Cal. No. 28312
Action: 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, $250 fine payable within 6 months.
Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of documentation errors and practicing while suspended.
ALTHENIA SHERRIE BETHEL; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 267477; Cal. No. 28312
Action: 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, $250 fine payable within 6 months.
Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of documentation errors and practicing while suspended.
KRISTIE MICHELLE BUEHLER; SENECA FALLS, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 323234; Cal. No. 28938
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of failure to maintain accurate records.
KRISTIE MICHELLE BUEHLER; SENECA FALLS, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 323234; Cal. No. 28938
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $250 fine.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of failure to maintain accurate records.
ELIZABETH J CALABRO; MARANA, AZ
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 313537; Cal. No. 29270
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol following a motor vehicle accident and having been prescribed pain medications for chronic illness which may affect her ability to safely practice nursing, in violation of substantial provisions of Arizona law regarding the practice of nursing.
ELIZABETH J CALABRO; MARANA, AZ
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 313537; Cal. No. 29270
Action: Application to surrender license granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Driving Under the Influence of alcohol following a motor vehicle accident and having been prescribed pain medications for chronic illness which may affect her ability to safely practice nursing, in violation of substantial provisions of Arizona law regarding the practice of nursing.
MAGDALA CELESTIN; ELMONT, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 310672; Cal. No. 28785
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 3 month actual suspension, 21 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of practicing the profession of licensed practical nursing beyond its authorized scope by providing nursing home care for a patient who was both ventilator and gastric feeding tube dependent and required constant monitoring and assessment of his physical condition and response to the ventilator and feeding tube.
MAGDALA CELESTIN; ELMONT, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 310672; Cal. No. 28785
Action: Application for consent order granted Penalty agreed upon 3 month actual suspension, 21 month stayed suspension, 2 years probation to commence upon return to practice.
Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of practicing the profession of licensed practical nursing beyond its authorized scope by providing nursing home care for a patient who was both ventilator and gastric feeding tube dependent and required constant monitoring and assessment of his physical condition and response to the ventilator and feeding tube.
SUSAN CLOW; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Registered Professional Nurse; Lic. No. 358371; Cal. No. 29095 29094
Action: Application to surrender licenses granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated and having lied on the registration.
SUSAN CLOW; ROCHESTER, NY
Profession: Licensed Practical Nurse; Lic. No. 129330; Cal. No. 29095 29094
Action: Application to surrender licenses granted.
Summary: Licensee admitted to charges of having been convicted of Driving While Intoxicated and having lied on the registration.