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Board grants two summary suspensions after DPH presents fitness and transcript concerns
Summary
The Board of Examiners for Nursing granted DPH motions to summarily suspend the RN licenses of Bethany J. Robinson (Pet. 2026-723) and Maria Carmel Edalmar (Pet. 2025-602) after DPH cited a fitness-for-duty finding for Robinson and transcript/credit inconsistencies tied to an Operation Nightingale referral for Edalmar.
At its June 3 meeting the Board of Examiners for Nursing voted to summarily suspend two registered-nurse licenses after the Department of Public Health argued each nurse presented an immediate danger to public health and safety.
Attorney Anthony Nanny presented the first case, petition 2026-723, on behalf of DPH. He said respondent Bethany J. Robinson’s employer reported concerns required by her probation, a fitness-for-duty evaluation found Robinson was unfit for duty, and the respondent displayed a physical impairment affecting motor skills. Cindy Arpen moved to grant DPH's motion for summary suspension; S Diaz seconded and the board adopted the motion by roll call (all voting 'I'). Chair Gina Riner told the respondent the suspension would be followed by formal hearing procedures and DPH would notify her of next steps.
DPH next presented petition 2025-602 concerning Maria Carmel Edalmar. Attorney Nanny said the matter was referred as part of an FBI and HHS investigation (Operation Nightingale) and that the school transcript and course credits from Ideal Professional Institute showed inconsistencies and credit-hour discrepancies. The department argued those record irregularities and the underlying investigation created a clear and immediate danger to the public. The board voted to summarily suspend Edalmar’s RN license after a motion by Cindy Arpen and a second; the roll call showed the motion passed unanimously among voting members.
What the board did not decide at the meeting were final findings on the underlying allegations. Chair Gina Riner explained that summary suspension is an emergency measure; each licensee will receive hearing notices and the department or hearing office will prosecute the matters to a full hearing.
Actions and votes: - Bethany J. Robinson (Pet. 2026-723): Motion by Cindy Arpen to grant summary suspension; second by S Diaz; roll call unanimous in favor (six 'I' votes recorded). Outcome: license summarily suspended; matter referred to hearing. - Maria Carmel Edalmar (Pet. 2025-602): Motion by Cindy Arpen to grant summary suspension; second by Diane (record shows second and unanimous roll call). Outcome: license summarily suspended; matter referred to hearing.
Why it matters: Summary suspension restricts practice immediately when DPH says there is an urgent public-safety concern; it preserves public protection while allowing due process through a subsequent hearing.
