Leslie Knachel

The meeting involved the consideration of numerous agency subordinate recommendations across several agenda items (3, 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 30, 33, 34, 35, 2, 4, 5, 10, 11, 14, 17, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31, 32, 36). Key actions included requiring licensees to complete coursework on nursing laws, professional accountability, and critical thinking; issuing reprimands; conditionally suspending licenses pending compliance with monitoring programs; indefinitely suspending licenses; revoking certificates for CNAs with findings of abuse; and denying an application for registration. The proceedings included multiple closed meetings for deliberation on these disciplinary and licensing matters, followed by reconvening in open session to certify discussions and take final actions. The document also details subsequent formal hearings concerning license reinstatement and professional conduct violations.

The informal conference addressed several scheduled cases. For one licensee, Erin Grego, who did not appear, the Agency Subordinate ruled that adequate notice was provided and a recommended decision would be mailed, which upon acceptance by the full Board would become a Final Order unless a timely request for a formal hearing was received. For Amanda Welch, a recommended decision would be prepared and presented to the Committee of the Joint Boards. For Jennifer Ramey, a recommendation was made for case dismissal due to insufficient evidence of a violation, subject to full Board acceptance. For Kimberly Richard, a recommended decision would be mailed pending acceptance by the Board.

The business meeting included a Public Hearing regarding Regulatory Changes pursuant to HB1499 of the 2024 General Assembly Session. Key announcements covered board member appointments, staff changes including the appointment of a new Executive Director, and updates on upcoming meetings and hearings scheduled through December 2024. The agenda review involved adopting a Consent Agenda spanning various formal hearings and tracking logs from March through June 2024, while excluding certain reports. Discussions included collaboration with the Virginia Department of Health on the Mary Marshall scholarship fund and updates on FSMTB Summit topics such as interstate massage therapy compact progress. The Director of DHP reported on new security measures, 2025 General Assembly planning, and staff salary reviews. Regulatory items included the adoption of exempt regulatory changes concerning APRN clinical practice hours (HB971) and opioid prescription counseling (HB699), and the adoption of a Fast-Track regulatory action regarding out-of-state clinical experience (SB553). The Board also adopted a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA) for changes to the Regulations Governing Nurse Education Programs (Chapter 27) and approved proposed regulatory changes regarding fee increases (Option 1). A Policy Forum presented key findings from the Healthcare Workforce Data Center regarding nursing education program statistics, noting concerns about attrition rates and faculty shortages. In the consideration of consent orders, the Board accepted consent orders for reinstatement, voluntary surrender, and suspension for several licensees. Recommendations from the Education Special Conference Committee regarding conditional approvals and continuing faculty exceptions for several nursing programs were also accepted. Several agency subordinate recommendations regarding disciplinary actions (revocation of certificates, findings of abuse) were considered and acted upon after closed sessions. Finally, the Board acted on guidance document amendments and noted the upcoming vote for an Interim Second Vice-President at the September meeting.

The informal conference addressed several scheduled cases before an Agency Subordinate of the Board of Nursing. For the appearance of Ronni Hylton Dangerfield, a recommended decision will be mailed, which is subject to full Board acceptance, after which an Order will be entered unless a formal hearing is requested. Several other scheduled appearances, including those for Julie Ann Minor, Mittle Essie Caines, and Godofredo Mamaril, did not occur, but the Agency Subordinate ruled that adequate notice had been provided in each instance, leading to a similar recommendation/order process. Later in the session, cases for LaTanya Chew Veney and Antonyo Marquis Harris resulted in case closures due to insufficient evidence of a violation or insufficient evidence to warrant disciplinary action, respectively. The final scheduled appearance for Renee Arleen True did not occur, resulting in a ruling of adequate notice and the standard recommendation/order process.

The Agency Subordinate Informal Conference addressed several scheduled conferences concerning licensees and applicants. For individuals who appeared, such as Wilma R. Bryant (CNA) and Pauline Chong (RN), a recommended decision will be made and mailed within ninety days for presentation to the Full Board. For scheduled conferences where the individual did not appear, including Cheyenne Korman (CNA), Lisa Lynn Batten Good (LPN), Arielle N Winston (LPN), and Amelia Shantel Poulin (RMA Applicant), the Agency Subordinate ruled that adequate notice was provided, and a recommended decision will also be mailed within ninety days.