The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing voted Oct. 1 to summarily suspend four nurses’ privileges to practice, citing immediate risks to public health and safety and scheduling expedited hearings.

The department moved for summary suspension in four separate matters: Ian O’Linsey (RN, petition no. 2023‑173), Abiola Michael Fagbemigon (RN, petition no. 2025‑878), Delilah Sienna (RN, petition no. 2024‑1378) and Aluchi Nwakocha (RN/APRN, petition nos. 2025‑280 and 2025‑442). The board approved each motion after the department presented facts the agency said showed immediate danger if the respondents were allowed to continue practicing.

Why it matters: A summary suspension temporarily removes a nurse’s legal authority to practice while a full hearing proceeds. The board said it would expedite hearings after voting to suspend.

What the department told the board
- Attorney Joelle Newton told the board the motion for a summary suspension of Ian O’Linsey was based on findings that the respondent “has not completed the required program hours and clinical training required to complete and graduate from a pre‑licensure nursing program,” and that, as a result, “the department is therefore asking that his license be suspended.”
- Anthony Nanny said the motion for Abiola Michael Fagbemigon arose from an affidavit provided by the owner of Azure College in Florida showing students who did not complete required clinical hours; the department also alleged the respondent misrepresented attendance at a program and in‑person clinical orientation.
- Linda Fezzina presented allegations against Delilah Sienna that included multiple incidents of diversion or failure to secure or dispose of patient medications while providing home‑health services from about May 2024 through Jan. 6, 2025, including alleged diversion on Dec. 19, 2024, and a confidentiality lapse dated Sept. 18, 2024. The department said the pattern created an immediate danger to the public.
- Attorney Kataya described the Nwakocha matter as part of Operation Nightingale, citing an affidavit from the owner of Medlife Naples that students residing outside Florida in 2015–2017 “did not complete the necessary program hours and clinical training to obtain those diplomas,” and arguing that the respondent would not have qualified for Connecticut RN or APRN licensure had the deficiencies been known.

Board action and votes
- For Ian O’Linsey (petition 2023‑173), Mary Dieteman moved to grant the department’s motion; Sal Diaz seconded. Roll call: Cindy Arpin, Salvatore (Sal) Diaz, Mary Dieteman, Lisa Freeman, Dr. Camille Payne, Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez, Diane Whitley and Chair Gina Reiners all voted aye. The summary suspension passed.
- For Abiola Michael Fagbemigon (petition 2025‑878), Lisa Freeman moved; members seconded. Roll call was unanimous in favor; the motion passed.
- For Delilah Sienna (petition 2024‑1378), Salvatore Diaz moved and Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez seconded; the board voted unanimously to suspend and the chair said the hearing office would expedite a merits hearing.
- For Aluchi Nwakocha (petition nos. 2025‑280 and 2025‑442), Cindy Arpin moved; Elizabeth Rivera Rodriguez seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous in favor, and staff said they would schedule a hearing.

What respondents will get next
- Board members and department attorneys emphasized that a summary suspension is temporary. Attorney Ryan Burns explained that a summary‑suspension vote is an ex parte proceeding to address immediate risk; respondents are then entitled to a prompt hearing at which they may present evidence and testimony.
- In the Sienna case the respondent appeared and said she intended to represent herself; the chair and staff confirmed a hearing would be scheduled quickly to give her an opportunity to present her defense.

Context and background
- The board repeatedly described motions for summary suspension as tools to protect the public while investigative or adjudicative work proceeds. Several presentations referenced Operation Nightingale — a multi‑agency investigation into diploma/credential irregularities at some out‑of‑state programs — as the source of evidence in at least two cases.

Ending note
- The board’s orders remove the respondents’ ability to practice in Connecticut immediately; formal hearings will determine the final licensure outcomes.