Regents Actions in 35 Professional Discipline Cases and 2 Restoration Petitions

The Board of Regents announced disciplinary actions resulting in the surrender of 6 licenses and 3 certificates, and 26 other disciplinary actions. The penalty indicated for each case relates solely to the misconduct outlined in that particular case. In addition, the Board acted upon 2 restoration petitions.

I. SURRENDERS

Chiropractic

James A. Spina II; Chiropractor; Otisville, NY 10963; Lic. No. 002910; Cal. No. 34389; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Health Care Fraud, a Class C Felony.

Massage Therapy

Jennifer Lynn Hoffman; Massage Therapist; Cheektowaga, NY 14225; Lic. No. 018011; Cal. No. 34479; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of failing to comply with the mandatory continuing education requirements.

Nursing

Alexander Eugene Istomin a/k/a Alexander E. Istomin; Registered Professional Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (Adult Health); Miami, FL 33177; Lic. No. 533201, Cert. No. 304254; Cal. Nos. 34370, 34292; Application to surrender license and certificate granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of having been convicted of Health Care Fraud, a Class C Felony; Mail Fraud, a Class C Felony; Aggravated Identity Theft, a Class E Felony; and Causing the Introduction of Misbranded Drugs, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Jennifer Constance McKenna; Registered Professional Nurse, Nurse Practitioner (Psychiatry), Nurse Practitioner (Pediatrics); Croton on Hudson, NY 10520; Lic. No. 574821, Cert. Nos. 401330, 381954; Cal. Nos. 34399, 34400, 34401; Application to surrender license and certificates granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest charges of failing to order routine toxicology reports for a patient with a history of drug abuse; failing to coordinate the transfer of a patient to new treating physician and prescribing medication while the patient was under the care of a new physician; failing to consult I-STOP/PMP - Internet System for Tracking Over-Prescribing - Prescription Monitoring Program prior to prescribing controlled substances; prescribing controlled substances in the name of a person who was not a patient and without any medical reason; and overprescribing for two patients including but not limited to switching medications often, adding or discontinuing medications often, adjusting dosages without documented indication, writing for large number of pills to be dispensed, writing the same prescription for a controlled substance for two different pharmacies on the same day, and writing a new prescription before the indicated time interval had passed; and failing to document in patient notes, a thorough updated assessment after each visit, medication refills, dates of all visits and psychiatric tests performed.

Public Accountancy

Daniel Levine; Certified Public Accountant; Scottsdale, AZ 85255; Lic. No. 060920; Cal. No. 34477; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee did not contest the charge of failing to comply with the mandatory continuing education requirements.

Veterinary Medicine

Steven Joseph Agoston; Veterinarian; Bethel, NY 12720; Lic. No. 007951; Cal. No. 34413; Application to surrender license granted. Summary: Licensee admitted to the charge of administering the wrong medication to a dog.

II. OTHER REGENTS DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Architecture

Victor Manuel Fernandes; Architect; New Rochelle, NY 10801; Lic. No. 026879; Cal. No. 34283; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $5,000 fine.

Sandor Weiss; Architect; Brooklyn, NY 11210-3742; Lic. No. 014318; Cal. No. 34320; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year actual suspension, 1 year stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $7,500 fine.

Engineering, Land Surveying and Geology

Jay Amarsingh Kavi; Professional Engineer; Monroe Township, NJ 08831; Lic. No. 092809; Cal. No. 34354; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 5 years stayed suspension, 5 years probation, $7,500 fine.

Malcolm I. Barkan; Professional Engineer; Nesconset, NY 11767; Lic. No. 044277; Cal. No. 34357; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 6 months actual suspension, 18 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $2,500 fine.

Massage Therapy

Lorna Castro Morales; Massage Therapist; Bronx, NY 10460; Lic. No. 005050; Cal. No. 34365; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,500 fine.

Nursing

Amber Alexis Oliver; Licensed Practical Nurse; Ronkonkoma, NY 11779; Lic. No. 330837; Cal. No. 33900; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $250 fine.

Alen Soofirzadeh; Registered Professional Nurse; Great Neck, NY 11024; Lic. No. 741733; Cal. No. 34182; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

Julie Ann Fichtner; Registered Professional Nurse; South Glens Falls, NY 12803; Lic. No. 684247; Cal. No. 34218; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Cindy Marie Bice; Licensed Practical Nurse; Waterloo, NY 13165; Lic. No. 283203; Cal. No. 34226; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $250 fine.

Lauren Tableman; Registered Professional Nurse; Coram, NY 11727; Lic. No. 654232; Cal. No. 34310; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Tina J. Augello; Registered Professional Nurse; Smithtown, NY 11787; Lic. No. 771882; Cal. No. 34319; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Kevin Gary Votke; Registered Professional Nurse; Massapequa, NY 11758; Lic. No. 698758; Cal. No. 34325; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Sarah Benne Langley; Registered Professional Nurse; Mobile, AL 36695; Lic. No. 812922; Cal. No. 34335; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, upon return to practice in New York State, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Kathryn M. Farley; Licensed Practical Nurse; Utica, NY 13502; Lic. No. 302011; Cal. No. 34360; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Lori Gjenashaj; Registered Professional Nurse; Staten Island, NY 10306; Lic. No. 564167; Cal. No. 34398; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year actual suspension, 1 year stayed suspension, upon return to practice, 2 years probation, $500 fine, 50 hours public service.

Occupational Therapy

Imani McKay; Occupational Therapist; Brooklyn, NY 11236; Lic. No. 025926; Cal. No. 34298; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 year stayed suspension, 1 year probation, $500 fine.

Pharmacy

The Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital; Pharmacy; Cooperstown, NY 13326; Reg. No. 004739; Cal. No. 33948; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: Censure and reprimand, $4,000 fine.

Roberto Viti; Pharmacist; Old Westbury, NY 11568; Lic. No. 049251; Cal. No. 34296; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 1 month actual suspension, 23 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $10,000 fine.

Tawnya Lynn Bensinger; Pharmacist; Rome, NY 13440; Lic. No. 069133; Cal. No. 34359; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $2,000 fine.

Public Accountancy

Nicholas Robert Aldorisio; Certified Public Accountant; Plainview, NY 11803-5322; Lic. No. 078426; Cal. No. 34336; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $2,500 fine.

Thomas J. Ryan CPA, P.C.; Professional Service Corporation; Woodside, NY 11377; Cal. No. 34366; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,500 fine.

Social Work

Gillian Nicole Langbaum; Licensed Master Social Worker; New City, NY 10956; Lic. No. 090861; Cal. No. 34377; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 months actual suspension, 22 months stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $2,500 fine.

Stacey A. Spata; Licensed Master Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Social Worker; East Setauket, NY 11733; Lic. Nos. 060685, 069919; Cal. Nos. 34402, 34403; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $500 fine.

Veterinary Medicine

Jessica Lin Fosnaugh; Veterinarian; Clarence Center, NY 14032; Lic. No. 015619; Cal. No. 34279; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $2,500 fine.

Brianna Elizabeth Unsinn; Veterinary Technician; Richfield Springs, NY 13439; Lic. No. 008020; Cal. No. 34313; Application for consent order granted; Penalty agreed upon: 2 years stayed suspension, 2 years probation, $1,000 fine.

III. RESTORATIONS

The Board of Regents voted on December 10, 2024, to deny the application for restoration of the registered professional nurse license of Mr. Philip DiBenedetto, Holbrook, NY 11741. Mr. DiBenedetto's license was surrendered on June 21, 2011.

The Board of Regents voted on December 10, 2024 to stay the execution of the Order of Surrender of the architect license of Mr. David Wasserman, Roslyn Heights, NY, to place him on probation for one year under specified terms and conditions, and upon successful completion of probation to fully restore his license. Mr. Wasserman's license was surrendered on July 28, 2008.

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