[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6218717,"mediaKeyId","3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e","parentId",3625712,"title","Board denies foreign‑trained applicant, approves two reinstatements; flags ECFMG change and penalty-bill","audioSeconds",1109,"startMs",5486000,"endMs",6595000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e&start=5486&end=6595","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e/thumbnail_5486000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6218717/Connecticut/Board-denies-foreigntrained-applicant-approves-two-reinstatements-flags-ECFMG-change-and-penalty-bill","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218717-c05124c5298bd88616c4897b47a5270f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771103263&Signature=I8xqaT8SYmLvodb77tp06zg-7RY~FqJ3ggd1oiCT4eEpTeocj2X3mCUgeHWFmeLbXqjrCfW4x0K-5uOh7VXTQz8WSe~fpKjYb00YPJAREoAu8noeDgAkDza81ucXg-YdvO~NCCnJvEVJkuzoyTNLr2MfpVcprE~tNQI~bQJ~QYLbpkB2QkmyHgKae5C5OZ5BFMlhYij~VepQqw3lZYxn8FQa0QmK6-lXhk-v8VBJ9gD7y6nVebbFD6ssi68vm68SH0HAwVwfgm-R2N13QH996BHq-J5N9RubB08yUkVnpC54-Xw6P6mlltl1-TTqtI6fka-SsSQ5ZGExC2wXVYAo2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Department of Public Health ","date","2025-05-28T17:26:04Z","article","At its meeting, the Connecticut Medical Examining Board declined to recommend licensure for an applicant who completed multiple fellowships but lacked the two years of ACGME‑accredited postgraduate training or supporting reference letters required under the state’s equivalent‑training regulations.

Celeste All Day of the practitioner licensing section presented the application. Board members raised concerns that the applicant had not completed two years of ACGME‑accredited residency training, was not board certified and had not provided a letter from a senior physician executive as required for an individual‑review petition. Doctor London explicitly said the applicant “does not meet the standard for licensure in Connecticut.” On roll call the board voted not to recommend licensure; members advised the applicant to provide a letter of reference and to reapply if additional documentation is available.

Separately, the board recommended reinstatement for Dr. Chan and for Dr. Cooney; both votes were recorded by roll call with no recorded objections. The reinstatements were presented as meeting statutory requirements for return to active practice.

In chair updates, Doctor Sauer and other members raised an informational item: an ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) policy change that, effective July 1, brings Canadian graduates under the ECFMG certification process the same as other foreign‑trained applicants. Attorney Liz Bannon reminded the board that section 20‑10 of the state general statutes still envisions graduates from Canada in the statutory scheme for foreign‑trained applicants; she suggested the attorney general’s office may want to review the interaction between ECFMG policy and state statute.

Board member Miss Jacqueline also notified colleagues that a bill to raise the board’s maximum civil penalty from $10,000 to $25,000 had passed out of the public health committee and was awaiting action on the House calendar. She asked whether the board or department lobbyists could urge movement before the legislative session adjourned; the chair said she would inquire and asked members to consult the legislature’s website for committee membership.

The board’s licensing decisions and the ECFMG discussion underscore how federal or certifying‑body changes and state statute can interact with professional licensure rules. The board asked department staff to provide follow‑up information as requested by members.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Connecticut Medical Examining Board 5.20.25","oneSentenceSummary","The board declined to recommend licensure for a foreign‑trained applicant who did not meet the state’s equivalent‑training criteria and approved reinstatement for two physicians. Members also discussed an ECFMG policy change affecting Canadian graduates and a pending bill to raise maximum civil penalties.","taxTitle","Department of Public Health, Departments and Agencies, Organizations, Executive, Connecticut","taxId",15791,"location","Connecticut","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218722,"Medical board approves several consent orders, imposing fines and probation on physicians",2353,810000,3163000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e&start=810&end=3163","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e/thumbnail_810000.jpg","/articles/6218722/Connecticut/Medical-board-approves-several-consent-orders-imposing-fines-and-probation-on-physicians","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218722-2906fda780d7269ac76d15d0aefbd2ea/orig.mp4?Expires=1771103263&Signature=Z8XHwX0zoIiKiqfBt~h4kRsE8D1ixT69oZ1Ym26mmhJ03dKWblW6ALBStSTyI3RLhEBDJ4BQZ~no4qrVV8Q-v~K-CxHnQkd3PA8NSloy65asnPw~y~qh4QCAEXDXjAA92u-Ubz3nt1m~iVYVKpsoTHMt7hX~esFdMrCILpqeQkXucgusRsu2sYnOAaL~pAxWpGvdb039jOxg6K14tDbtX~~I5ETa4jVTEIJo4QmOzHUj27cxYZ8rSUa9PXiaVqHAs0JG3HpC-y4p~bqHI7seux8z5WOYcDaD81qD48WCiCHLYA2pirN7znyf7wq3gsiRCiaOvHxtz7m4qphCu3hSkw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Medical Examining Board approved a series of consent orders Wednesday, resolving separate disciplinary matters for several physicians and imposing civil penalties, probation and practice limits.

Attorney Joelle Newton presented the matter of Dr. Blaine E. Messing (petition No. 2024‑1009), saying an investigation from the Department of Consumer Protection found the respondent issued controlled‑substance prescriptions without properly consulting the state prescription monitoring program (PMP). The proposed consent order imposed a $5,000 civil penalty, required coursework in prescribing practices and placed the physician on probation for one year. The board approved the consent order by roll call.

In a separate case, the board approved a consent order involving Dr. Taiwei (name recorded as Tawe/Taiwei in the packet), also referred from drug‑control, with allegations that the respondent dispensed controlled substances without reviewing the PMP and failed to upload dispensed controlled substances. The proposed settlement included a $10,000 civil penalty and practice requirements; the doctor’s counsel said the physician ceased the relevant prescribing practice in 2020 and adopted corrective measures. The board approved the consent order by roll call.

The board also approved a consent order for Dr. Berger (radiology), in which the department alleged opioid misuse and failures in documentation and monitoring. The agreed‑upon resolution included a reprimand, a $10,000 civil penalty, a permanent restriction barring direct patient care and prescribing, and a one‑year probation with urine screening, therapy and employer reporting; the order permitted teleradiology and consulting work. The board approved that consent order.

Finally, the board approved a consent order for Dr. Robin Cica arising from an April 2021 incident in which counsel said the physician exempted a patient from a COVID‑19 vaccine without clinical justification and later failed to properly treat and document care; the proposed order imposes a $10,000 fine and three years’ probation. Attorney John Richardson, representing Dr. Cica, asked the board to approve the negotiated settlement; the board voted to approve it.

Each matter included attorney presentations, a summary of the department’s allegations and roll‑call votes. In several cases the respondents were represented and indicated they had taken corrective actions; in the Berger matter counsel described a longstanding physician recovery and ongoing monitoring arrangement.

The approved consent orders vary in scope — from a $5,000 civil penalty paired with coursework and probation for PMP failures to a $10,000 penalty with practice restrictions for cases involving substance misuse and treatment documentation. The board’s approvals conclude the matters as presented; the orders include probationary and monitoring conditions the department will enforce.","The Connecticut Medical Examining Board approved consent orders for multiple physicians, including penalties, probation conditions and practice restrictions in cases involving prescribing and other practice concerns.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6218726,"Medical board rejects proposed consent order for orthopedists tied to OrthoLaser clinic",2790,1660000,4450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e&start=1660&end=4450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3625712-1aba09c505c8bf23a49bb564233cd07e/thumbnail_1660000.jpg","/articles/6218726/Connecticut/Medical-board-rejects-proposed-consent-order-for-orthopedists-tied-to-OrthoLaser-clinic","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6218726-6d5c1c057cc6de970a9b4e8c994f92ad/orig.mp4?Expires=1771103263&Signature=UUU7lqblAOnXJm43CxQlF3QEUnoeJXb4mtOFT35ltTNv~TZ8TyGGPTObZWmvrqtYqW3TO4PYa~Ze2glS2AJgQDTjhCc~ZamXMeoiWGQ57a04fZcOkFsef6Z2luvWkPf6Dmm4pY8atPvIFnKLGGSSi2C9XKez2kQAiEjMZmZA~vSLPle0IhbEHZTcx95q0jdbZIRUyxuRxKUTTBCsnbSxtxGxZfcUZCtYGOxMFqayBl4iqnRcqqq~fWZsI7rN-Pz-9WINl~plT3XVJjTLiiqEgZuw~Gga5EyaDVB2qUnsGhTFB68EZUH606hSIoJanPp~dEwy51KORJINvxlt48S7Pg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Connecticut Medical Examining Board on Wednesday voted to reject a proposed consent order for Dr. Jonathan Betts and a companion order for Dr. Bissell relating to treatments delivered at OrthoLaser, a Southington clinic where unlicensed staff operated a laser device, the board heard.

The board’s action came after more than an hour of discussion about whether the device was a “medical” laser requiring licensed operators, whether patients had received informed consent, and whether the proposed $5,000 civil penalty and cease-and-desist language adequately addressed the department’s allegations.

Attorney Ed Mayer, representing Dr. Betts and Dr. Bissell, told the board that the machine was a “cold laser” and disputed the department’s position that the treatments amounted to the unlicensed practice of medicine. Mayer said the doctors sought legal advice before opening the facility and were told they did not need a license to operate it. “Both doctor Betts and doctor Bissell went out and got legal counsel on this,” Mayer said, and the parties had negotiated the consent orders “after so many years.”

Attorney Joelle Fezzina, representing the Department of Public Health, said the department’s investigation obtained the device manual, which described the system as intended for use in a “professional health care facility” and included language suggesting physician evaluation and adjustable clinical parameters. Fezzina noted safety and scope issues and that the device was classified in the vendor manual as a higher‑power laser than simple over‑the‑counter light devices.

Multiple board members pushed back. Doctor Green and Doctor Wolf both said the consent order’s $5,000 penalty was too small given the allegations that unlicensed individuals provided treatments and that the physicians had financial interests in the clinic. Miss Jacqueline (board member) raised concerns about the physicians’ financial interest and said, “something smells here.” Several board members argued the fine should be increased to $10,000 or that the department should pursue a stronger enforcement action.

After discussion, Miss Jacqueline moved to not approve the consent order; Doctor Wolf seconded. On roll call the motion to not approve passed. The board clerk called the roll with multiple members voting to not approve; the meeting transcript shows the motion carried and the consent order was not approved.

Next steps were not finalized during the meeting; the board chair asked department staff to note the discussion and indicated the board would expect the department to consider next actions, which could include reworking proposed terms or pursuing separate charges.

The vote was a clear signal the board was not satisfied with the department’s negotiated resolution in this matter. Board members cited the unanswered questions about device classification, the role and qualifications of clinic staff, and possible financial conflicts as reasons to reject the settlement.","The Connecticut Medical Examining Board voted to reject a proposed consent order for two orthopedic surgeons tied to a Southington clinic that used a “cold” laser device operated by unlicensed staff. Members said the proposed $5,000 civil penalty was too low and raised conflicts and informed-consent concerns during a lengthy debate.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board denies foreign‑trained applicant, approves two reinstatements; flags ECFMG change and penalty-bill

Medical board approves several consent orders, imposing fines and probation on physicians

Medical board rejects proposed consent order for orthopedists tied to OrthoLaser clinic