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CANNON BUILDING861 SILVER LAKE BLVD., SUITE 203DOVER, DELAWARE 19904-2467STATE OF DELAWARETELEPHONE: (302) 744-4500FAX: (302) 739-2711WEBSITE: DPR.DELAWARE.GOVBOARD OF NURSINGEMAIL: customerservice.dpr@delaware.govPUBLIC MEETING NOTICE:Teleconference BOARD OF NURSING Meeting MinutesDATE AND TIME:Wednesday, February 10, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.PLACE:Cannon Building, Second Floor Conference Room A861 Silver Lake Blvd., Dover, DE 19904APPROVED:March 10, 2021MEMBERS PRESENTRonald Castaldo, President, APRN Member, PresidingKimberly Hopkins, Vice President, RN Educator Member (departed 1:47 p.m. & rejoined 2:05p.m.)Carol Abdill, RN MemberMichael Brothers, Public MemberTiarra Davis, Public MemberSandra Glenn-Vernon, RN MemberWilliam Hare, Public Member (departed 12:52 p.m.)Pamela James, RN MemberPrameela Kaza, Public Member (joined meeting at 9:04 a.m.)Gayle Melvin, Public MemberMarlo Silverio, RN MemberMEMBERS ABSENTDanielle Gomez, RN MemberKenyette Walters, LPN MemberMegan Williams, APRN MemberDIVISION STAFF/DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL PRESENTPamela Zickafoose, Executive DirectorJennifer Singh, Deputy Attorney GeneralMeredith Hurley, Administrative Specialist IIIALSO PRESENTRob Collins, EsquireJohn Malik, Esquire1
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020Patricia Long LositoKimberly CaudillTiffany WheelerVarious nursing studentsCALL TO ORDERDr. Castaldo called the teleconference meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.DISPOSITION OF MINUTESMeeting Minutes – November 18, 2020The Board reviewed the minutes of the November 18, 2020 meeting. Mr. Hare moved, seconded byMs. Hopkins, to approve the minutes as presented. The motion carried unanimously.ADOPTION OF THE AGENDAMs. Davis moved, seconded by Ms. Glenn-Vernon, to adopt the agenda as presented. The motioncarried unanimously.ACTIVITIES REPORTDr. Zickafoose reported the number and types of active licenses as of February 8, 2020.RN – 20,583; Temporary RN Permits - 5; Temporary GN Permits - 0LPN – 2,950; Temporary LPN Permits – 2; Temporary GPN Permits - 0CRNA - 370NP – 1,874CNM - 48CNS – 146Total APRNs – 2,438; Temporary APRN Permits - 0Total Active Licenses – 25,971 with 7 temporary permitsUNFINISHED BUSINESSRules and Regulations DeliberationsMs. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Ms. Hopkins, to approve the rules and regulations as written.The motion carried with Ms. Davis opposing. The additional language requested by Nemours will beconsidered as an amended item with the next regulation change.Eunice Gwanmesia InquiryMs. Gwanmesia sent an inquiry to the Board regarding the Board Order that requires her to submitquarterly supervisory reports. She stated that she is self-employed and does not know how to complywith the Order.Ms. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to request that Ms. Gwanmesia submit the report that wasdue at the beginning of February so the Board may review it at their next meeting to gauge her2
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020compliance. If it is deemed unacceptable, the Board will discuss further actions. The motion carriedunanimously.Newcastle Institute Final Denial Under 29 Del. C. § 10131(c)The Practice and Education Committee reviewed Newcastle Institute’s application for a new nursingprogram in the summer of 2020 and proposed to the Board that their request be denied. The Boardissued a propose to deny letter which included a chance for Newcastle Institute to request a hearingbefore the Board. Newcastle Institute did not request a hearing. The Board will need to vote on a finaldenial.Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Silverio, to send a final denial for Newcastle Institute’s proposednursing program. The motion carried unanimously.COMMITTEE REPORTSAPRN Committee – Ron CastaldoDr. Castaldo reported that the Committee met January 4, 2021 and approved 13 additional APRNs forindependent practice which brings the total to 258 APRNs that have been issued independent practicesince March 2017.The Committee also thoroughly discussed HB21, the APRN Compact Bill. There will be moreinformation on HB21 in the Legislative and Regulatory Update section of this agenda.PRESIDENT’S REPORTDr. Castaldo stated that NCSBN held a Presidents networking meeting January 25, 2021. Theydiscussed a campaign that will be highlighting nurses and nursing students that have volunteered toadminister COVID vaccines.A legislative update regarding telehealth policy changes was discussed. It was noted that DHHS hasthe authority under public readiness to initiate emergency actions to offer services in a healthemergency. One in particular would be to provide COVID testing across state lines.In December 2020, Congress passed a COVID relief package where some money will go to nursingorganizations, telehealth programs, mental health programs, and to the DEA to promulgate rules forremote prescribing.An APRN Compact webinar will be held February 17, 2021 for state hospital partners to learn moreabout the new compact being introduced.EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORTDr. Zickafoose reminded the nursing schools that the annual report surveys were due February 5, 2021and anyone who has not submitted them needs to send them in as soon as possible.3
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020An NLC Executive Committee meeting was held February 9, 2021 and discussed ways to market theAPRN Compact. There are currently 12 states with pending legislation for the new compact.Currently, the APRN Compact legislation has been passed in the House in North Dakota.CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) proposed a new rule/policy relating tothe English language proficiency exam for foreign graduates. They received complaints of nursesentering the workforce and not being proficient in English which could be related to nursing programsthat offer online English courses that are not as effective as a live course. There can also be economicexploitation of these nurses as they can be forced to work in facilities that are tied to their nativelanguage.Phil Dickinson asked that nursing schools inform them of any increase or decrease in the upcominggraduation season in order to prepare testing sites for any significant changes.A policy brief was sent out to the nursing schools encouraging students to participate with vaccineadministration.The Delaware Nurses Association (DNA) Advocacy committee announced they are changing thecomposition of their committee membership.The World Health Organization (WHO) has extended the “Year of the Nurse” due to the pandemic.May will be the month of the nurse and the theme will be “You Make a Difference.”The current edition of Journal of Nursing Regulation has a report on COVID and the impact on nursingand the workforce. It also states that COVID has created a greater need for workforce data collection,planning and mobility. A statement mentioned the need to establish eNotify for nursing renewals inorder to collect workforce data. Another article spoke of the proliferation of compact licenses and thebenefit of being more mobile in the professions that offer them.NEW BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARDLicensee Applicant ReviewsExaminationLindsey Davis, GN (Conviction)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. James, to grant Lindsey Davis a waiver to sit for theNCLEX. Licensure is contingent on passing the NCLEX. The motion carried unanimously.Adebisi Adeyemi, GPN (Conviction)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Glenn-Vernon, to grant Adebisi Adeyemi a waiver to sit for theNCLEX. Licensure is contingent on passing the NCLEX. The motion carried unanimously.4
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020EndorsementPaulynn Sarabia, RN (Nevada Discipline)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Glenn-Vernon, to grant Paulynn Sarabia, RN, a waiver forlicensure by endorsement. The motion carried unanimously.Cynthia McCloskey, RN (Nevada Discipline)Mr. Hare moved, seconded by Ms. Hopkins, to grant Cynthia McCloskey, RN, a waiver for licensure byendorsement. The motion carried unanimously.Wendy Stone, RN (Texas Discipline)Mr. Hare moved, seconded by Ms. Davis, to grant Wendy Stone, RN, a waiver for licensure byendorsement. The motion carried unanimously.David Freed, RN (Conviction)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Melvin, to grant David Freed, RN, a waiver for licensure byendorsement. The motion carried unanimously.ReinstatementThere were no reinstatement applications to review.ComplaintsRatification of Assignments/Assigned Board ContactMs. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to ratify the complaint assignments listed below.The motion carried unanimously.C-NL-2020-00014 (Abdill)11-43-20 (Silverio)C-NL-2020-00007 (Williams)C-NL-2020-00067 (Gomez)C-NL-2020-00076 (Williams)C-NL-2020-00088 (Williams)Closed ComplaintsThe Board was advised that the following complaints have been closed as noted below.Dismissed by the Attorney General’s Office11-77-19 11-84-19 (Williams) C-NL-2020-00001 11-32-19 11-71-18 (Silverio) 11-30-2011-20-20 11-72-18 11-29-19 C-NL-2020-00018Closed Investigations by the Division of Professional RegulationC-NL-2020-00036 C-NL-2020-00045 C-NL-2020-00028 11-65-19C-NL-2020-000385C-NL-2020-00011
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020Consideration of Consent AgreementsMegan Hudson, LPN (Case No. C-NL-2020-00070)Ms. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Mr. Hare, to accept the Consent Agreement for MeganHudson, LPN. The motion carried unanimously.Paula Apicella, RN (Case No. 11-32-20)Ms. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Ms. Hopkins, to accept the Consent Agreement for PaulaApicella, RN. The motion carried unanimously.Erica Cooke, RN (Case No. 11-87-19)Mr. Hare moved, seconded by Ms. Kaza, to accept the Consent Agreement for Erica Cooke, RN. Themotion carried with Ms. Hopkins recusing.Hannah Bartley, LPN (Case No. 11-25-18)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to accept the Consent Agreement for Hanna Bartley,LPN, contingent upon the completion of the requirements set forth in a previous Board disciplinaryorder. The motion carried unanimously.Dawn Tomeski, LPN (Case No. C-NL-2020-00024)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to reject the Consent Agreement for Dawn Tomeski, LPN,on the grounds that the Board would like to see some period of suspension or possible revocation. Themotion carried unanimously.Bradley Nazareta, RN (Case No. 11-30-19)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to reject the Consent Agreement for Bradley Nazareta,RN, on the grounds that the Board would like to see an increase in the stayed suspension andprobation times or some period of formal suspension. The motion carried unanimously.Samuel Njore, RN (Case No. 11-18-20)Ms. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. Glenn-Vernon, to accept the Consent Agreement for SamuelNjore, RN. The motion carried with Ms. Hopkins and Mr. Brothers opposing.Katie Truitt, RN (Case No. 11-60-18)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Silverio, to accept the Consent Agreement for Katie Truitt, RN.The motion carried unanimously.6
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020Kathleen DeNight, RN (Case No. 11-23-19)Ms. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. James, to reject the Consent Agreement for Kathleen DeNight,RN, on the grounds that the Board would like to see a suspension stayed for a probationary period andadditional CE in the subject of vulnerable populations. The motion carried unanimously.Review and Consideration of Hearing Officer RecommendationsChristopher Underkoffler, RN (Case No. 11-10-19)Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Silverio, to modify the Hearing Officer recommendation toinclude 60 days of suspension, not stayed. The motion carried unanimously.Tiffany Wheeler, RN (Case No. 11-26-19)Ms. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. Melvin, to accept the Hearing Officer recommendation as written.The motion carried unanimously.Upon the completion of Mr. Ripple’s case, Mr. Collins requested to speak to the Board regarding Ms.Wheeler’s Hearing Officer recommendation. He was granted time to speak and the case was reopenedto the Board.Mr. Collins stated that he felt the punishment in the recommendation was too harsh when compared tosimilar cases. Ms. Wheeler has been unable to get and maintain a job due to the background checkand being placed on the adult abuse registry and feels that has been punishment enough.Ms. Lydia-Moore, the State’s Deputy Attorney General for this case, stated she was not aware of anyexceptions for this case from Mr. Collins but stated that it is the State’s position that the Board upholdthe Hearing Officer recommendation.After much deliberation, Ms. Abdill moved, seconded by Ms. James, to accept the Hearing Officerrecommendations without any additions or changes. The motion carried with Ms. Silverio opposing andMs. Hopkins abstaining.John Ripple, RN (Case No. 11-73-19)Mr. Ripple’s attorney, Mr. Malik, requested for the Board to approve a continuance of this case on thegrounds that the crimes being discussed in the Hearing Officer recommendations are currently eligiblefor expungement. His argument is based on the merits that this case would be moot if Mr. Ripple’scrimes were expunged. The Board agreed that the case should not be granted a continuance based onthe premise of a future expungement.Ms. Singh gave a summary of the case and allowed the State and Mr. Malik time to speak.Ms. Lydia-Moore, the State’s Deputy Attorney General for this case, stated the law is clear on Mr.Ripple’s failure to notify the Board in a timely manner of his crime. There is no basis or legal authority7
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020to waive the 30-day requirement to report and the findings of fact show that Mr. Ripple was nothospitalized during that 30-day period. Dr. Wright’s current analysis of Mr. Ripple should have nobearing on his state of mind in 2019.Mr. Malik, the respondent’s attorney, explained that Mr. Ripple is a combat veteran that was deployedas a medic in the Middle East. Immediately after his incident, Mr. Ripple went to the VA hospital toreceive treatment and was sent to Coatesville Hospital for a four day stay. After his release, Mr. Rippleturned himself in to authorities and started an outpatient program administered through the VA. Mr.Ripple acknowledges that his PTSD cannot be cured but there are things he can do to help himselfdeescalate from situations that may trigger an episode. Mr. Malik stated that the nursing regulationsconcerning crimes substantially related to the profession are very lengthy and Mr. Ripple may not havebeen aware of his violation. Mr. Malik asked for the recommended discipline to be modified as thisincident was not related to patient care but was of a personal matter and he also argued that this caseshould have been granted a continuance due to current expungement proceedings.Ms. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Ms. James, to modify the Hearing Officer recommendations tokeep and issue the letter of reprimand and make it reportable to the National Practitioners Data Bank.The motion carried unanimously.Disciplinary HearingsPatricia Long Losito, RN (Petition to Lift Suspension) 9:30 AMSee attached hearing minutes.Kimberly Caudill, RN (Petition to Lift Suspension) 10:00 AMSee attached hearing minutes.Legislative and Regulatory UpdateRule for License RenewalMs. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Ms. Hopkins, to approve the regulation changes that wouldrequire nurses to complete the eNotify survey during renewals in order to collect workforce data andallow for a cleanup to the regulation change that was deliberated on at the beginning of the meeting toinclude gender identity and expression. The motion carried unanimously. A public hearing will bescheduled.HB 21 APRN Compact LicensureThe House Committee held a hearing regarding the APRN Compact Bill (HB 21). The Committeevoted unanimously in favor of the Bill and it will be sent to the floor next. During the hearing, nursepractitioners from the Delaware Nurse Practitioners Coalition opposed the bill having concerns with the2,080 practice hours. In response to their concerns, a companion bill was introduced as a cleanup toalign with the current statutes. The proposed bill is seeking to remove collaborative agreements,realign the APRN Committee to change the composition of the committee to all APRNs with nine8
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020members (two from each role and a chair member from the Board of Nursing), and it will remove theindependent practice applications.Review of ComplianceAmy Prettyman, LPN, (Noncompliant)Amy Prettyman was found to be noncompliant with the September 24, 2020 Board Order. Her licensewas placed back on suspension December 4, 2020.Jacqualine Salb, RN (Noncompliant)Jacqualine Salb was found to be noncompliant with the September 9, 2020 Consent Agreement. Herlicense was placed on suspension January 5, 2021.Jorja Polk-Ridgeway, RN (Noncompliant)Jorja Polk-Ridgeway was found to be significantly noncompliant with the September 9, 2020 ConsentAgreement. Her license was placed on suspension January 5, 2021.William Walker, RN (Compliant)William Walker complied with the January 13, 2016 Consent Agreement. His license has beenrestored January 6, 2021 to an active valid only in Delaware due to his Pennsylvania residence.Krystal Gallaway, RN (Compliant)Krystal Gallaway complied with the November 14, 2018 Consent Agreement. Her license has beenrestored to an active multistate.Michele Robertson, RN (Noncompliant)Michele Robertson was found to be significantly noncompliant with the October 21, 2020 Board Order.Her license was placed back on suspension February 1, 2021.Practice IssuesThere were no practice issues to discuss.Educational IssuesSimmons University Clinical NotificationSimmons University notified Dr. Zickafoose that they will have one student doing clinical rotations atEden Hill Medical Center.Villanova University Clinical NotificationVillanova University notified Dr. Zickafoose that they will have fifty-one students doing clinical rotationsat A.I. DuPont, Anesthesia Services P.A., VA Medical Center, and Saint Francis Hospital.9
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020DDDS/Eventful Connections LLC CE Provider RenewalMs. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. Hopkins, to approve the renewal for DDDS/Eventful ConnectionsLLC as a CE provider. The motion carried unanimously.Walden University Clinical NotificationWalden University notified Dr. Zickafoose that they will have eight students doing clinical rotations atBeebe Healthcare, Anew Mental Health, Nemours Pediatrics Behavioral Health Clinic, MeadowWoodBehavioral Health, MDB Professional Services, First State Women’s Care, and Pivot Occupational andEmployee Health.Chamberlain University Clinical NotificationChamberlain University notified Dr. Zickafoose that they will have one student doing clinical rotations atBeebe and Reliance Health. They will also have five students doing clinical rotations at RelianceHealthcare, Caring Minds Medical Center, and Beebe Walk-in Care.Delaware Technical Community College Terry Campus Instructional DirectorDr. Zickafoose informed the Board that Jo Ann Baker has retired and Joshua Barnes was appointed asthe new Instructional Director. Ms. Silverio moved, seconded by Ms. Glenn-Vernon, to approve JoshuaBarnes as the new Instructional Director for Terry Campus. The motion carried unanimously.CEU Institute CE Provider RenewalMs. Melvin moved, seconded by Ms. Silverio, to approve the renewal for CEU Institute as a CEprovider. The motion carried unanimously.Regis College Clinical NotificationRegis College notified Dr. Zickafoose that they will have two students doing clinical rotations at theSussex Community Corrections Center and Recovery Innovations International.LICENSEE APPROVALMs. Glenn-Vernon moved, seconded by Ms. Melvin, to ratify the attached licensee list. The motioncarried unanimously.CORRESPONDENCEThere was no correspondence.OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARDThere was no other business before the Board.10
Board of NursingFebruary 10, 2020NEXT MEETINGThe Board’s next telephonic meeting is scheduled for March 10, 2021, at 9:00 a.m. via teleconference,in Conference Room A, of the Cannon Bld
Jan 04, 2021 · LPN, contingent upon the completion of the requirements set forth in a previous Board disciplinary order. The motion carried unanimously. Dawn Tomeski, LPN (Case No. C-NL-2020-00024) Ms. Hopkins moved, seconded by Ms. Abdill, to reject the Consent Agreement for Dawn Tomeski, LPN, on the grounds that the Board would like to see some period of .
