Dennis Ruskin

The member optometrist pled guilty to professional misconduct for improperly delegating controlled acts (communicating a diagnosis and prescribing eyeglasses) to an optician, failing to maintain proper patient records, and allowing false claims to be submitted to an insurer.

The Discipline Committee accepted an agreed statement of facts and a joint submission on penalty.

The member was reprimanded, his certificate of registration was suspended for three weeks, and he was ordered to complete a professional ethics course, write an essay, undergo a practice inspection, and pay $20,000 in costs.

The College of Optometrists of Ontario brought allegations of professional misconduct against the respondent for failing to maintain proper patient and financial records, failing to issue receipts, and failing to ensure patient confidentiality.

The respondent pled guilty to the allegations and admitted to the facts in an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee found the respondent guilty of professional misconduct.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, $5,000 in costs, and a two-month suspension that would be fully suspended if the respondent successfully completed a period of practice coaching.

The College of Optometrists of Ontario brought disciplinary proceedings against the member for failing to abide by a written undertaking to complete a remedial program.

The member pleaded guilty to professional misconduct.

The Discipline Committee accepted the guilty plea and the joint submission on penalty.

The member was reprimanded, had terms and conditions placed on her certificate of registration requiring completion of a remediation program, and was ordered to pay $5,000 in costs.