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Department of Public Health board grants continuance for Dr. Singal’s suspended-license hearing, sets Nov. 17 date
Summary
A Department of Public Health board granted a continuance at a licensing hearing to allow Dr. Singal time to seek counsel, set a new hearing date of Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m., and noted the license remains suspended; the department said it does not oppose the continuance.
The Department of Public Health board on Monday granted a continuance of its adjudicative hearing to allow Dr. Singal time to seek legal counsel and set a new hearing date for Monday, Nov. 17, at 10:30 a.m.
Board Chair Emmett made the motion to grant the continuance and voted in favor, followed by board members Dr. Wolf and Dr. Zeman. Mr. Gordon, the department’s designated contact, told the board the department did not oppose the continuance, noting that Dr. Singal’s license remains suspended while the matter is pending.
Why it matters: The continuance delays a formal adjudication of the suspension and gives Dr. Singal the opportunity to retain an attorney who could review and respond to evidentiary exhibits the department and the board have marked for identification.
At the hearing, Dr. Singal said she wanted time to try to obtain counsel, telling the board, “Yes. I had time to think about, the comments made from the board members and, I'm gonna try to seek counsel and appreciate the advice of the board members, and I'm gonna try to seek, a continuance.” The board chair confirmed that the motion was to continue the matter to permit that effort.
Board members discussed realistic timelines for an attorney to prepare. Dr. Wolf said the timing “is more up to, in my feeling, Dr. Singal’s timetable and ability to get counsel,” noting the suspension means the public remains protected in the interim. Dr. Zeman added that insurance coverage differences could affect whether retained counsel’s fees are covered, particularly for per-diem employees.
The board and department clarified exhibit counts and preparation steps to streamline any hearing if it proceeds on the new date. The board’s materials currently include nine board exhibits (marked board exhibits 1 through 9). The department indicated it intends to seek to enter 12 exhibits; the board chair emphasized those documents have been “marked for identification only” and are not yet entered into evidence. The chair asked Dr. Singal to confirm she had received all board and department exhibits and, if not, to request them immediately so either she or her counsel could review them before the rescheduled hearing.
Mr. Gordon told the board that Dr. Singal would receive a written ruling on the continuance, the new hearing date and a submission deadline that will instruct how and when to file exhibits or evidence. The board noted that if Dr. Singal obtains counsel, that attorney can file an appearance, receive exhibits, and, if necessary, request further continuances to prepare.
Action and schedule: The board set the next hearing for Monday, Nov. 17, at 10:30 a.m. and instructed staff to send written notice of the rescheduled date and the submission deadline to Dr. Singal. The department said it does not object to the continuance; the license remains suspended pending adjudication.
Next steps: If Dr. Singal retains counsel, the attorney will be the point of contact to receive board and department exhibits and to seek additional continuances if needed. If no counsel appears, the board indicated it will be prepared to proceed on Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. as scheduled.
