In a recent government meeting, the board welcomed new member Attorney Calderon, a registered nurse and health law attorney, who expressed enthusiasm for contributing to the board's important work. Calderon, who has experience in critical care nursing and has served on the board of Saint Francis Hospital, highlighted her familiarity with physician issues and medical staff bylaws.

The meeting also addressed the status of pending hearings and decisions. A review of the hearing assignments revealed that five matters are awaiting memorandum of decisions, while four additional cases need to be scheduled. Board members voiced concerns about the lengthy delays in reaching final decisions, particularly in light of past instances where hearings were postponed for years.

Dr. Green emphasized the need for timely resolutions, noting that prolonged continuances could reflect poorly on the board. He pointed out a specific case involving Dr. Israel, who has requested multiple continuations despite being suspended, raising questions about the appropriateness of such delays.

Dr. Zeman echoed these sentiments, acknowledging the need for hearings to be conducted within a reasonable timeframe, especially for suspended practitioners. The board chair reiterated the importance of addressing the delays between complaints and decisions, assuring members that the Department of Public Health is actively working to improve this process.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the board updated on hearing statuses and to strive for more efficient resolutions in the future.