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