Executive committee approves reentry plan for PA Melissa Sinopoli

Melissa Sinopoli, a physician assistant who said her Mississippi PA license expired in 2018 and who has maintained national certification through the NCCPA, appeared before the executive committee to request approval of a reentry practice plan developed with board staff.

Sinopoli told the committee she was a GI physician assistant for 15 years in Ocean Springs before leaving clinical practice for family reasons and that she continued national certification requirements (including ongoing continuing medical education) during her time away. She said she relinquished her Mississippi license in 2018 and later sought reinstatement when a local GI practice asked whether she would return.

Ken Cleveland, the executive director, told the committee he had worked with Sinopoli and staff to develop a reentry plan modeled on clinical requirements for new graduate PAs but shortened to reflect her prior experience. Cleveland recommended the committee approve the plan, saying it ‘‘covers all the bases, to provide for safe patient care.’’

A motion to approve the proposed reentry practice plan passed with a recorded voice vote of ‘‘Aye’’ from members present. Committee members instructed staff to monitor the supervised clinical hours and conditions outlined in the plan.

Sinopoli said the reentry plan will place her under a supervising physician (Dr. Rinker was present on the call as the proposed supervising physician) and include supervised clinical hours, chart review and competency assessment steps before she resumes full clinical duties in GI care. The committee approved the reentry plan as presented and thanked Sinopoli for her preparation.