Karin Simon

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 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.