Maureen Hopman

The Discipline Committee held a penalty and costs hearing following findings of professional misconduct against the Member.

The misconduct included charging misleading and discriminatory fees, failing to disclose medication ingredients, improperly using the 'Doctor' title, poor record keeping, breaching patient confidentiality, and failing to cooperate with a College investigator.

The Committee ordered a reprimand, a 10-month suspension, and terms, conditions, and limitations on the Member's certificate of registration, including ethics and record-keeping courses.

The Member was also ordered to pay $65,000 in costs to the College and a $300 fine to the Minister of Finance.

The member faced allegations of professional misconduct, including using the unauthorized designation of Registered Massage Therapist, issuing a receipt in her son's name, failing to maintain proper patient records, and improperly storing used acupuncture needles.

The member admitted to the allegations.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering an 8-month suspension (reducible to 4 months upon completing conditions), a reprimand, practice conditions, and costs of $2,500.

The College alleged that the Member, a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and acupuncturist, sexually abused a patient during an acupuncture treatment by touching her breast, massaging her vaginal area, and inserting his finger into her vagina.

The College also alleged the Member performed an unauthorized controlled act, failed to keep appropriate records, and improperly used the title 'Dr.'.

The Discipline Committee found the patient's evidence to be clear, cogent, and convincing, while the Member's evidence was inconsistent and unreliable.

The Committee concluded that the Member committed sexual abuse, performed an unauthorized controlled act, breached standards of practice, failed to maintain proper records, and improperly used the restricted title.

The Member was found guilty of professional misconduct on all allegations.

The College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncturists of Ontario brought disciplinary proceedings against the Member for professional misconduct.

The Member closed her practice without notifying patients, failed to refund prepaid treatment fees, and could not be reached by the College.

The Member did not attend the hearing.

The Discipline Committee found the Member committed professional misconduct by inappropriately discontinuing services, breaching an agreement with a patient, failing to give notice of practice closure, and engaging in disgraceful, dishonourable, or unprofessional conduct.

The Committee ordered a public reprimand, a three-month suspension upon any reinstatement, a condition to complete an ethics course, and $3,500 in costs.