The Connecticut Department of Public Health held a public hearing Oct. 9, 2025, on a complaint against Jennifer Schad, RN (docket number 2025-1008), over allegations that she violated a prior consent order by testing positive for alcohol on July 9 and July 10, 2025. Hearing officer Aiden Baum convened the virtual proceeding at 9:59 a.m. and oversaw procedural matters and the submission of sealed exhibits.

The department, represented by Attorney Joelle Newton, told the hearing that Schad’s license had been placed on probation under a consent order dated April 6, 2022, which required abstinence from alcohol and negative urine screens. Newton said the department’s evidence shows Schad’s urine tested positive for alcohol on the July dates and asked the Board of Examiners for Nursing to revoke Schad’s license. "The respondent... violated the consent order and the department feels that by testing positive... is therefore asking for revocation," Newton said.

Schad, who is not represented by counsel, admitted all charges except one identified as charge four in the statement of charges dated Sept. 29, 2025, and was allowed to testify in a narrative form. She told the panel she has worked for PJW for three and a half years and has participated in Alcoholics Anonymous and other recovery activities. "I've worked for PJW for 3 and a half years, doing very well with my recovery," Schad said. She described personal stressors after a divorce and the end of a relationship that preceded the July test results.

The hearing officer entered procedural and evidentiary exhibits into the record, including the notice of hearing, the statement of charges, an investigative report the department marked as sealed, affidavits, the department’s monitoring file, the respondent’s documents, a consent order dated April 6, 2022, and an interim consent order dated Aug. 14, 2025. The respondent also submitted a letter to the Board of Nursing dated Sept. 29, 2025; that letter was entered into the record and sealed for containing medical information.

Schad requested that portions of her testimony be taken in executive session to protect sensitive medical information. After being sworn, she and counsel discussed taking sealed testimony off the public MS Teams recording so that a separate, sealed transcript could be produced. Hearing officer Baum explained procedural assistance available to an unrepresented party: "Because you're not represented by an attorney, I will help with procedural questions you might have."

The hearing proceeded to the evidentiary phase with cross-examination and offers of exhibits noted on the record. No final decision was issued at the session. Baum said he would prepare findings of fact and conclusions of law and a proposed memorandum of decision for the Board of Examiners for Nursing, which will issue the final decision.

The record shows the department asked for license revocation and that the respondent admitted most charges and sought privacy protections for medical information. The Board of Examiners for Nursing has not yet acted, and no date for a final decision was given in the portions of the hearing transcript provided.