John Heick

The meeting included action on consent agendas, which involved the approval of previous meeting minutes from December 16, 2025, and the approval of licensure applications for Physical Therapists and a Physical Therapist Assistant. Several cases were recommended for termination of Board Orders. Under Old Business, the Board addressed compliance and license suspension requests for licensees Gaurav Khanal and Michael Webster, approving the lifting of Mr. Khanal's suspension and his proposed supervision plan, and approving Mr. Webster's proposed psychologist. In Informal Hearings, the Board adopted findings of fact and conclusions of law related to case 25-30 (Stephanie Owens Kinsey) and issued a Board Order requiring ethics coursework. Initial reviews of disciplinary matters for Stacy Lynch, Ryan Marzetta, Dylan Mecham, and Catherine Russell were conducted, resulting in an invitation to an Informal Hearing for Mr. Lynch, a non-disciplinary order for Mr. Marzetta, an invitation to an Informal Hearing for Mr. Mecham, and dismissal for Ms. Russell. The Board also approved an application for physical therapist licensure for Tawana Jackson. Key board business included the re-election of Dr. Bustillo as President, Dr. Heick as Vice-President, and Mr. Leone as Secretary for the 2026 annual Board period, as well as the election of Dr. Heick as Delegate and Dr. King as Alternate Delegate for FSBPT meetings. Reports included a presentation on the APTAAZ 2026 legislative agenda, updates on the 57th Legislature, discussion of potential future rulemaking areas (supervision ratios, PTA hours, and "each date of service" requirements), and a decision to take no action on a US Department of Transportation FMCSA request. Financials for November and December 2025 and license/registration approvals from December 2025 were reviewed.

The Regular Session Meeting involved several key actions. The Board approved consent agendas for the September 5, 2025 Special Session and Executive Sessions (A & B), as well as the October 21, 2025 Regular Session and Executive Sessions (A & B), with minor amendments noted for the September minutes. A significant portion of the meeting focused on applications for licensure for physical therapists who graduated from foreign educational programs, including determinations on educational equivalence and requirements for supervised clinical practice for several applicants. The Board approved the completion of supervised clinical practice and subsequent licensure for one applicant. Other actions included the approval of several new licenses/registrations via consent agenda, dismissal of two disciplinary cases (25-47 Mark Pezzelle, PTA and 25-41 Keith Fischer, PT), issuance of an advisory letter for one case (25-03 Kayla Roper), and an advisory letter regarding reporting responsibilities for another (25-31 Krystian Garcia, PTA). In Old Business, the Board accepted the voluntary surrender of a PTA license and tabled a request to lift a suspension. Board business included updates on the FSBPT Annual Meeting, selection of prospective 2026 meeting dates (eliminating June and October meetings), discussion on future potential rulemaking related to A.A.C. R4-24-303 and R4-24-304, updates on the Thentia platform, a discussion regarding a building flood, and approval to update the Board of Physical Therapy records retention schedule.

The meeting included a review, consideration, and action regarding complaints and other disciplinary matters, specifically concerning Michael Webster, PT. The board discussed the investigation, heard from Mr. Webster and his attorney, and entered into executive session to obtain legal advice. An Interim Board Order was issued, requiring Mr. Webster to undergo and successfully complete a Fitness for Duty evaluation.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various complaints and disciplinary matters, including cases involving Mark Pezzelle, Daniel Winterbottom, Madison Mitchell, Gregory Davidson, Jarad Brisbin, Dakota Kay, and Edward Lihvarchik. The board addressed old business, such as reviewing signed consent agreements and interim consent agreements for Woosig Jeong and Michael Webster, respectively. Additionally, the Executive Director's reports covered potential future rulemaking, the PT Compact Arizona State Status, financials, licenses, and registrations. Future agenda items were also discussed, including confidential mental health legislative and rulemaking process steps and extending the parameters of the unlawful practice matrix.

The meeting included discussions and actions on various topics such as applications for licensure, review of supervised clinical practice periods for foreign-educated physical therapist applicants, and disciplinary matters including initial reviews and possible actions regarding complaints. The board also discussed PT Compact matters, old business related to compliance with consent agreements, executive director's reports on the fiscal year 2027 budget submission, online jurisprudence assessment development, PT Compact Commission draft amendments, business entity renewal updates, driving under the influence charges, and financial reviews. Additionally, the board reviewed licenses and registrations processed in July 2025.