The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners (the "Board") has taken the following actions in May 2011. This information is a summary prepared by the Board Administrative Office staff. Copies of the Orders can be found at www.njmedicalboard.gov under the right-hand pull down menu, "Board Activities," "Monthly Summaries." Requests for certified, true copies should be made in writing directed to William V. Roeder, Executive Director, P.O. Box 183, Trenton, New Jersey 08625.

ALEXESCU, Adina N., M.D.
License #MA062291
3 Burnet Road
Morristown, NJ 07960
Institute of Medicine, Bucharest Romania, 1980
FLEX Endorsement

CONSENT ORDER FILED May 26, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board based on a formal accusation filed January 19, 2011, brought by the Morris County Prosecutor alleging Dr. Alexescu committed second degree assault and unlawful possession of a weapon, to wit, a ruler. The charges were resolved by way of Dr. Alexescu’s entry into the Pre Trial Intervention (“PTI”) program on the same date for twelve months. The PTI Order of Postponement requires Dr. Alexescu to complete 12 hours of community service, to continue with counseling, and to abide by any recommendations of the Division of Youth and Family Services. The Board and Dr. Alexescu desirous of resolving this matter without formal proceedings, Dr. Alexescu therefore consented and agreed to each and every term of this Consent Order without admitting any allegations of wrongful professional conduct. The Board ordered and Dr. Alexescu agreed to be on probation until January 19, 2012, her successful discharge from PTI or the final resolution of the criminal charges, whichever occurs latest. The conditions of probations will include compliance with the conditions of the January 19, 2011 Pre Trial Intervention Order; continued participation in the Professional Assistance Program and continued compliance with its recommendations; and the continued compliance with recommendations and/or conditions imposed by the Impairment Review Committee, a Committee of the Board. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 26, 2011.

AL TAI, BAKIR M., M.D.,
License #MA053891
Wayne, New Jersey 07470
University of Baghdad, 1972
FLEX Endorsement

CONSENT ORDER OF PERMANENT RETIREMENT OF LICENSE filed May 16, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board and the Medical Practitioner Review Panel (“MPRP”) based on reports to the MPRP and a Complaint to the Board about Dr. Al Tai concerning surgical quality and care issues and serious record keeping deficiencies. After investigation and further consideration, Dr. Al Tai sought leave to wind down the operation of his medical and surgical practice and permanently retire from the practice of medicine in New Jersey. Dr. Al Tai is entering into this Order to fully resolve all outstanding matters known to the Board and the Panel. The Board Ordered and Dr. Al Tai agreed to permanently retire his license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey effective August 12, 2011, with prejudice to any further re application. Dr. Al Tai must return his current biennial registration, CDS registrations, and advise the DEA of this Order. Dr. Al Tai must provide proof of such notices to the Board by August 15, 2011. EFFECTIVE DATE: August 12, 2011.

DISCENZA, Ronald R., M.D.
License #MA045633
Pomona, New York 10907
Bologna, University of Italy, 1978
Reciprocity

ORDER filed May 25, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board on March 25, 2011, on application of the Attorney General for an Order Of Temporary Suspension of the license to practice medicine and surgery of Dr. DiScenza pending plenary hearing. The Verified Complaint in this matter alleged inter alia, that in six instances in 2009 and 2010, Dr. DiScenza fraudulently performed and prepared fabricated patient records for electrodiagnostic testing; that in eight instances in 2009 and 2010, Dr. DiScenza conspired to defraud and/or failed to supervise professional services of employees and independent contractors and conspired to share fabricated test data by authorizing or condoning a scheme to draw upon a pre-existing inventory of tabular data and waveforms which were inserted into the reports of subsequent patients, which reports were then submitted irrespective of the identity of and interpretation for the actual patient; and that in at least nine instances there were inconsistencies, discrepancies or errors in reports. Dr. DiScenza also was alleged to have failed to identify and correct tests which had been performed improperly thereby generating incorrect data and unsupported diagnoses regarding his own testing and testing done by his agents. The allegations were said to constitute gross and repeated negligence, malpractice or incompetence; misrepresentation, deception and fraud and a failure to maintain the ongoing requirement of good moral character. Dr. DiScenza submitted a Brief in opposition to the application, in which he responded in part, that based on apparently duplicative nerve conduction velocity studies, which were performed by technicians and with no evidence to link him to misconduct, the Board should not leap to the conclusion that he is a “mastermind” of a widespread fraud that poses a clear and imminent danger to the public. A Hearing on the application for the temporary suspension of Dr. DiScenza’s license was held before the Board on April 13, 2011. Dr. DiScenza appeared with counsel and testified. The Board considered the oral arguments of counsel, the testimony of Dr. DiScenza, and documents that were entered into evidence. Upon consideration of the evidence before the Board, the Board cannot at this juncture conclude that the Attorney General has met her burden of making a palpable demonstration of clear and imminent danger sufficient to predicate the entry of an Order temporarily suspending Dr. DiScenza’s license. However, the Board did found that the Attorney General had more than adequately demonstrated that Dr. DiScenza’s continued unrestricted practice may pose a risk to the public health, safety and welfare sufficient enough to warrant the imposition of a requirement that Dr. DiScenza secure an assessment of skills prior to the performance, interpretation or billing for any additional electrodiagnostic testing and to allow the Board to further evaluate whether Dr. DiScenza’s continued practice may jeopardize the safety and welfare of the public. The Board is aware of Dr. DiScenza’s claim that his mobile testing has ceased and that the three entities he owns became inactive in the Summer of 2010. Given the deficiencies demonstrated on the record, taken together with Dr. DiScenza’s lack of knowledge as demonstrated in his testimony, the Board found that there is a risk of harm to patients whose pain management or other treatment may be based at least in part on the testing performed by Dr. DiScenza. The Board ordered as of the Oral Announcement of this Order on April 13, 2011, that Dr. DiScenza license to practice medicine and surgery be temporarily limited until such time as the Board reviews an application or reviews an Initial Decision following a plenary hearing regarding this matter. Dr. DiScenza must cease, desist and refrain from the performance, interpretation or billing for EMGs, nerve conduction studies or any electrodiagnostic testing in New Jersey until further Order of the Board. Prior to any application for the removal of the limitation imposed, Dr. DiScenza submits to an independent assessment of his skills in the performance, interpretation and billing of electrodiagnostic testing with an entity or individual proposed by him and pre approved by the Board. EFFECTIVE DATE: April 13, 2011.

DURANTE, Michael F., M.D.
License #MA055054
Nutley, NJ 07110
Albany Medical College, 1984
National Boards

NON-DISCIPLINARY

INTERIM CONSENT ORDER TO CEASE AND DESIST filed May 4, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board upon receipt of information that a Criminal Complaint was filed on March 23, 2011, against Dr. Durante in the District Court of New Jersey for knowingly and intentionally conspiring and agreeing with others to distribute and to dispense a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of oxycodone, a Schedule II Controlled Dangerous Substance. Dr. Durante has denied all the allegations and represented that since March 24, 2011, he has refrained from the care and treatment of patients while making appropriate arrangements to ensure the continuity of care of his patients. The referenced allegations if proven, would form the basis for the suspension or revocation of Dr. Durante’s license to practice medicine in New Jersey and would also palpably demonstrate a clear and imminent danger to the public health, safety and welfare. Dr. Durante entered into an Interim Consent Order whereby the Board ordered and Dr. Durante agreed to continue to cease and desist from engaging in the practice of medicine and surgery in New Jersey effective immediately upon signed the Consent Order and pending further Order of the Board. This prohibition not only bars Dr. Durante from rendering professional services, but also from providing an opinion as to professional practice or its application or representing himself as eligible to practice. Dr. Durante is to forward to the Board his original New Jersey license, any biennial registration cards, and his original CDS registration. Dr. Durante is to immediately notify the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) of the entry of this Order and immediately surrender his DEA registration to the DEA. Nothing contained in the Order will be deemed an admission of liability on the part of Dr. Durante and the Board will stay further proceedings concerning Dr. Durante’s matter at this time until the conclusion of the Federal Criminal proceeding, unless new information requires the Board to act. Dr. Durante could apply to vacate this Order and apply for the physical return of his license upon resolution of the pending criminal charges. The parties stipulated that entry of this Order is without prejudice to further action by the Board or other law enforcement entities resulting from Dr. Durante’s conduct. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 4, 2011.

FRIDMAN, Sigmundo M, M.D.
License #MA032419
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Univ of Buenos Aires Sch of Med, 1965
National Boards

ORDER OF REINSTATEMENT OF LICENSURE WITH CONDITIONS filed May 2, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board upon the application of Dr. Fridman for reinstatement of his medical license. Dr. Fridman’s medical license had expired due to his failure to submit his biennial renewal for in 2003. Upon the Board’s request, Dr. Fridman appeared before the Preliminary Evaluation Committee (“PEC”) on January 6, 2010, to discuss his application for reinstatement. Dr. Fridman testified that it was his responsibility to renew his license and that his error was an administrative oversight. Dr. Fridman also testified that he continued practicing medicine in New Jersey from 2003 through 2008 without an active medical license and that he has some difficulty hearing. As a result of Dr. Fridman’s testimony, the Committee required Dr. Fridman to provide the Board with a written evaluation of his hearing capabilities from a Board approved ENT physician including an indication of his ability to practice medicine in light of his hearing impairment prior to a final determination of his reinstatement. Thereafter, the Board reviewed an evaluation from a Board certified otolaryngologist recommending that Dr. Fridman utilize a hearing aid to ensure adequate communication with patients. Although Dr. Fridman’s testimony revealed his unlicensed practice from 2003 through 2008 was unintentional, and there have been no quality of care issues raised against him during the five year period in which he practiced without a license, the Board found that he practiced unlicensed for a substantial period of time. The Board ordered and Dr. Fridman agreed to be reprimanded for engaging in the unlicensed practice of medicine and surgery. Dr. Fridman is to pay a penalty in the amount of $10,000.00 . Dr. Fridman is hereby
granted reinstatement of his license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey effective upon the date that he provides documented proof to the Board’s satisfaction that he has purchased or obtained a hearing aid and with the condition that he will utilize the hearing aid in his left ear at all times while he engages in any aspect of the practice of medicine. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 2, 2011.

JAYARAM, Ajit, M.D.
License #MA037221
Englewood, New Jersey 07631
Marathwada, University , India, 1972
FLEX Endorsement

INTERIM CONSENT ORDER filed May 2, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board upon receipt of information that Dr. Jayaram had been arrested and alleged to have engaged in multiple criminal acts including conspiracy to commit murder. Dr. Jayaram has also violated his duty to cooperate with the Board by failing to timely report his October 2010 arrest to the Board. Dr. Jayaram’s conduct would also palpably demonstrate a clear and imminent danger to the public health, safety and welfare. Dr. Jayaram without admissions temporarily surrendered his license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey. The Board ordered and Dr. Jayaram agreed to his license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey be suspended effective immediately and pending further Order of the Board.

LOPRESTI, Jacqueline D.O.
License #MB054497
568 Ridge Road
Fair Haven, NJ 07740-3614
Southeastern College of Osteo Medicine, 6/88
Examination

INTERIM CONSENT ORDER OF TEMPORARY SUSPENSION filed May 26, 2011. This matter was opened to the Board upon receipt of information that Dr. Lopresti had been arrested and it was alleged that he engaged in multiple criminal acts, including conspiracy to distribute Controlled Dangerous Substances (“CDS”). Each of these allegations, if proven, would form the basis for the suspension or revocation of Dr. Lopresti’s license to practice medicine in New Jersey. Dr. Lopresti ‘s conduct would also palpably demonstrate a clear and imminent danger to public health, safety and welfare. Dr. Lopresti, without admissions, temporarily surrendered her license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey. The Board ordered and Dr. Lopresti agreed to her license to practice medicine and surgery in New Jersey being temporarily suspended effective immediately and pending further order of the Board. Dr. Lopresti must return her original New Jersey license, her current biennial registration, and her State CDS registration to the New Jersey Board. Dr. Lopresti must immediately surrender her Federal CDS registration to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Dr. Lopresti is to also immediately cease and desist from prescribing or dispensing medications; cease and desist from the practice of medicine; and take appropriate steps to destroy any and all prescription pads in her possession in accordance with the Board Directives. The parties hereby stipulate that the entry of this Order is without prejudice to Dr. Lopresti’s right to seek relief from this Order upon the entry of a final disposition of her criminal matter in the US District Court for the District of New Jersey. A petition for relief shall be submitted in writing to the Board and must set forth why this Order shall be modified or vacated at that time. EFFECTIVE DATE: May 26, 2011.

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THE NEW JERSEY STATE
BOARD OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS

William V. Roeder
WVR/jj Executive Director