John Van Bastelaar

The member, an optometrist, faced allegations of professional misconduct for sexually abusing three patients who were also his employees, making inappropriate and sexual comments in patient records, and applying white-out to records to conceal information during a College investigation.

The member admitted to the allegations via an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a public reprimand, a four-month suspension, completion of ethics courses, $48,180 in security for patient therapy, and $30,000 in costs.

Four optometrists faced allegations of professional misconduct related to inadequate eye examinations, poor record keeping, and improper record storage while participating in a School Vision Care program.

The members pled guilty to the allegations and submitted an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, which included a reprimand, a two-week suspension (which could be suspended upon completion of an essay), continuing education requirements, practice inspections, and costs of $5,000 per member.

The College of Optometrists of Ontario brought allegations of professional misconduct against Dr. Anthony Angelone for failing to maintain the standard of practice in his care of sixteen pediatric patients between 2009 and 2014.

The member admitted to the allegations, acknowledging failures to properly diagnose and treat conditions such as amblyopia and refractive errors.

The Discipline Committee accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts and found the member guilty of professional misconduct.

The Committee also accepted a Joint Submission on Penalty, ordering a reprimand, $10,000 in costs, mandatory continuing education, and a condition restricting the member from treating children eight years of age and under until the successful completion of a mentorship program.

The member faced allegations of professional misconduct for misleading the College of Optometrists of Ontario regarding his practice arrangements.

Specifically, the member misrepresented that he was paying rent to an optical dispensary to comply with conflict of interest regulations, when in fact he had not paid rent for approximately four years.

The member admitted to the allegations.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a four-week suspension (with two weeks suspended upon completion of an ethics course and proof of rent payment), and $6,500 in costs.