DPH board approves multiple consent orders, reviews licensing compacts and reinstatement requests

The Department of Public Health board on a virtual meeting approved three consent orders, recommended approving one physician reinstatement, and heard administrative updates on increased reinstatement requests, interstate licensing compacts and a new retired-physician license that takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

Board members voted 6–5 to approve a consent order arising from reciprocal discipline reported from Maryland involving a failure-to-complete continuing medical education (CME) requirement. The respondent had since submitted documentation showing 55.25 CME credits for the period in question and her attorney argued the Maryland action should not have been imposed. Attorney Joelle Newton, representing the department, said the department is presenting a consent order that includes a reprimand. Attorney Agi Cahill, representing the respondent, described efforts to reopen the Maryland matter and warned that the reciprocal discipline cycle has led to multiple state reports; she said she would pursue corrections to the federal Practitioner Data Bank if the Maryland decision is reversed.

The board unanimously approved a separate consent order for Dr. A.J. Jetley, who acknowledged an oversight involving an earlier out-of-state disciplinary action and apologized to the board. The order presented by department counsel was accepted without recorded opposition.

Members also approved a consent order for Dr. Shahab involving past prescribing and documentation deficiencies in the treatment of patients with buprenorphine (Suboxone). Attorney Joelle Newton summarized the department’s view that the respondent had failed to meet standards of care in several respects, surrendered a controlled-substance registration in 2019 and has since reportedly changed her practice, obtained board certification in psychiatry and addiction medicine, and completed approximately 140 hours of continuing education. The consent order imposed a reprimand, a $10,000 civil penalty and a two-year probationary period with supervisory reporting and required coursework on controlled-substance prescribing and addiction treatment. One board member recused from the Shahab vote.

On licensure matters, the board recommended approval of a reinstatement application from a physician who had been out of active practice since February 2021. That recommendation passed with one dissenting vote from a public board member who said pride is an insufficient reason to restore an active license; other board members cited precedent for allowing physicians to retain or regain licensure to stay connected to the profession. Staff confirmed the applicant met required continuing education and other documentation.

Staff reports and discussion

Chris Andresen of DPH practitioner licensing and investigations reported an increase in formal reinstatement requests: three in 2023, nine in 2024 and ten so far in 2025. Andresen explained that reinstatement (distinct from routine renewal) is required when a license has been lapsed for six months or more and that those cases are routed to the board for review. Members noted factors such as outdated contact information and retirement decisions as common explanations for lapses.

Andresen also briefed the board on the recent state action joining interstate compacts. Connecticut joined the Physician Assistant (PA) Compact, which will allow compact privileges to be issued once rules and a data system are implemented (projected to begin issuing privileges in early 2027). He also discussed the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC), which expedites multi‑state physician licensure and is moving toward fuller implementation in Connecticut.

Separately, staff told members that legislation passed in the most recent session establishes a retired-physician license available beginning Jan. 1, 2026; the license will be issued at a reduced fee and appear as “retired physician” on eLicense. The department is working on regulations that will define the scope and limitations of the retired license, including how it interacts with facility credentialing and procedural privileges.

Why it matters

The board’s approvals finalize disciplinary resolutions that will be reported to national data systems and may affect practitioners’ multi‑state licensure. The rise in reinstatement requests and the pace of compact implementation are likely to change administrative workload for DPH licensing staff, while the retired-physician category and compacts will affect how Connecticut manages cross‑jurisdiction practice and credentialing.

Votes at a glance

- Consent order (reciprocal discipline from Maryland; respondent documented completion of 55.25 CME credits): approved, roll call summary recorded as 6 yes, 5 no. Department recommended reprimand. (See actions entry.)

- Consent order — Dr. A.J. Jetley (reciprocal discipline based on out‑of‑state telemedicine practice and a renewal attestation issue): approved unanimously. Department proposed formal reprimand. (See actions entry.)

- Consent order — Dr. Shahab (controlled-substance prescribing/documentation concerns; surrendered DEA registration in 2019, later reinstated): approved with one recusal; order includes reprimand, $10,000 civil penalty and two years probation with supervisory reporting and required coursework. (See actions entry.)

- Reinstatement — physician out of active practice since Feb. 2021: board recommended approval of reinstatement to the department; vote passed with one dissent.

Next steps and outlook

Attorneys for the respondent in the Maryland‑origin matter said they will seek reopening of the Maryland discipline and pursue corrections to federal reporting if successful. DPH staff will continue to develop compact implementation plans, draft regulations for the retired‑physician license and monitor the increased volume of reinstatement petitions.

Ending

The board adjourned after completing the scheduled agenda.