I. ROLL CALL

II. RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

The Minutes from the July 12, 2009 Board meeting are submitted for Board approval, amendment, or correction.

III. HEARINGS, PLEAS, AND APPEARANCES

10 a.m. GODFREY, George C. MD 25MA0144070
George C. Godfrey lll, Esq., For the Respondent
DAG Joan Gelber, Prosecuting

On or about June 22, 2009, Administrative Law Judge Joseph F. Martone issued an Initial Decision in the above referenced matter. At this time, the Board is in receipt of the Attorney General’s written exceptions dated June 24, 2009 and Respondent’s exceptions dated July 7, 2009. As is the Board’s usual and customary practice, consideration of the matter will be conducted in a bifurcated fashion. During the first part of the matter, the parties will be afforded an opportunity for twenty minutes of oral argument. If, following deliberations, the Board determines that a statutory basis exists to take disciplinary action against Dr. Godfrey, then the matter will immediately continue to a penalty phase, where the parties will be afforded an opportunity to present testimony and make arguments upon the question of what sanctions, including penalties and/or costs, if any, should be assessed.

IV. OLD BUSINESS

1. FEIT, Frederick M.D. , License #25MA05617400
Stephen M. Pascarella, Esq. For the Respondent
DAG Tara Ragone, Prosecuting
Debra W. Levine, D.A.G., Counseling

On July 8, 2009 the Board, voted to impose a five-year suspension of Dr. Feit’s license, with two years active, the remaining to be served as probation. Prior to Dr. Feit’s return to practice, he must successfully complete ethics and coding courses and make an appearance before a committee of the Board who may require either a practice where he is not responsible for the billing or that his billing practice be monitored at his own expense. The Board also assessed costs in the amount of $11,689. Dr. Feit’s counsel is now requesting that the Board stay the imposition of Dr. Feit’s license suspension pending review of the matter before the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division.

2. SHETH, Surendra M.D., License #25MA03027000
DAG Shiobhan Krier, Prosecuting
Robert Conroy, Esquire for the Respondent
Debra W. Levine, DAG , Counseling

On May 18, 2009, the Initial Decision of Administrative Law Judge Patricia M. Kearns, in the above matter was received by the Board. On July 8, 2009, the Board voted for a one year suspension of Dr. Sheth’s license, stayed, to be served as a period of probation. In addition Dr. Sheth must successfully complete a record-keeping course to be completed within six months and he was issued a penalty of $20,000. The record was left open for fifteen days for Counsel's response to the Attorney General’s costs application to be considered on the papers. Counsel for Dr. Sheth is in opposition to the application for costs and attorney’s fees submitted by the Attorney General’s office

3. AZAM, Chowdhury MD 25MA06382200
DAG David Puteska, Prosecuting
R. Bruce Crelin, Esq. For the Respondent

Dr. Azam’s case was heard by the Board on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 on the Attorney General’s application for an Order to Show Cause seeking the temporary suspension of Dr. Azam’s license to practice medicine and surgery and for other such relief as deemed appropriate. The Board declined to suspend Dr. Azam’s license and ruled that the doctor could continue to practice at Insights Behavioral Health LLC, subject to certain restrictions. Dr. Azam now petitions the Board for permission to practice at another location in addition to the locations that the Board has allowed under the current restrictions for his practice.

V. NEW BUSINESS

Nothing Scheduled.