Board recommends reinstatement for Dr. Syed Ali Ali despite members’ questions on age and practice intent

The Connecticut Medical Board voted to recommend approval of the reinstatement application for Dr. Syed Ali Ali, an applicant who has been out of active practice since 2022.

Department staff presented the applicant as meeting licensing requirements except for the lapse in active practice. Board members discussed the applicant’s stated intent — the applicant reportedly seeks a license to do consulting and independent medical evaluations, rather than return to active clinical practice — and some members expressed concern about the applicant’s advanced age and the possibility that an active license would permit surgical practice in some settings. One board member said, “I have a hard time with this … allowing somebody who’s 85, perhaps 90 years old, to suddenly be granted a license that would allow him to perform surgery,” and sought clarification about practical constraints such as hospital privileges.

Board counsel reminded members that age alone is not a permissible ground to deny reinstatement and that hospital privileging would control whether the clinician could perform major surgery. Other members noted the applicant’s stated intent to consult and that many consulting roles require an active license.

After discussion, the board recommended approval. The recommendation is advisory to the department, which has final licensing authority. The department will complete its final licensure determination and any requirements such as proof of malpractice coverage or verified practice plans.