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DPH staff briefs licensing board on department structure as long-serving chief prepares to retire
Summary
Chris Andresen, chief of practitioner licensing and investigations, walked board members through the Department of Public Health's organization, the practitioners investigation and monitoring units, and how cases move from investigation to PILCO prosecutors and the hearing office; Andresen said he is retiring and the board thanked him for his service.
Chris Andresen, chief of practitioner licensing and investigations at the Department of Public Health, gave the board a detailed briefing on how the agency is organized and how practitioner matters move through investigation, monitoring and prosecution.
"I'm Chris Andresen, the chief of practitioner licensing and investigations at the Department of Public Health," Andresen said, and then outlined the department's structure around the commissioner, the health care quality and safety branch and the practitioner licensing and certification office. He said the practitioner investigations unit investigates complaints and the monitoring unit oversees compliance with orders such as probation and urine drug screens; cases with findings are forwarded to the Professional Licensure Compliance Office (PILCO) for prosecution and, if needed, are presented to the board or a hearing officer.
The presentation emphasized that DPH licenses or certifies about 70 professions — "physicians, dentists, social workers, professional counselors, embalmers, veterinarians, funeral directors, hairdressers" — and that not all licensees are heard by boards; some matters are handled by hearing officers. Board members asked clarifying questions about which licensees fall under DPH authority and how boards in Connecticut differ from boards in other states.
Members thanked Andresen, who said working with the boards had been a highlight of his career and confirmed he is retiring. Chair Emmett led the board in expressing appreciation for his responsiveness and long service. Board members asked that the slides used in the orientation be added to the meeting materials so members can review organizational details later.
The briefing was framed as part of an ongoing orientation series; Chair Emmett also said she is coordinating an orientation by the attorney general's office to cover the board's legal authority and requested members suggest topics for that session.
