Regents announce disciplinary actions in 42 professional cases across multiple fields

The New York State Board of Regents has taken disciplinary action in 42 professional cases across several fields, including nursing, public accountancy, dentistry, landscape architecture, mental health, pharmacy, social work, and veterinary medicine.

In the nursing field, Catherine E. Seemer, also known as Catherine D’Onofrio, a registered professional nurse and nurse practitioner from Tuckahoe, NY, surrendered her license after admitting to convictions for Federal Financial Aid Fraud and Aggravated Identity Theft, both felonies. Denise L. Breidenstein, a licensed practical nurse from Portville, NY, also surrendered her license after admitting to failing to administer or document the wasting of controlled substances.

Three certified public accountants—Thomas John Meehan of Flushing, NY; Annette Dimon of Bradenton, FL; and Jaime Joann Ciavarri of Pittsford, NY—surrendered their licenses for not complying with mandatory continuing education requirements.

Other disciplinary actions included penalties such as suspensions, probations, and fines. In dentistry, Timothy C. Ingrao of Southampton, NY, received a one-year stayed suspension and probation along with a $1,000 fine. Robert Cross from Jefferson Valley, NY, was fined $2,500 and also received a one-year stayed suspension and probation.

Landscape architect Antonio Zaino of Brookfield, CT, agreed to a two-year stayed suspension, two years of probation, and a $5,000 fine.

Several nurses were found guilty of professional misconduct or agreed to consent orders involving suspensions—both actual and stayed—probation periods ranging from one to two years, and fines up to $1,000. These cases involved issues such as substance abuse or failure to meet professional standards.

In pharmacy, Mei C. Tong of New York City was penalized with a six-month actual suspension and an 18-month stayed suspension in addition to probation and a $5,000 fine. Michael Anthony Duchnycz of Newburgh, NY, received a one-year stayed suspension and probation along with a $2,500 fine. Pharmscript LLC., a non-resident pharmacy based in Somerset, NJ, was censured and reprimanded and fined $2,000.

Public accountancy firms also faced disciplinary measures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in Tampa, FL was fined $2,500. UHY LLP of New York City received a censure and reprimand along with a $7,500 fine. Scott C Singer CPA in Jericho, NY was given a one-year stayed suspension and probation plus a $2,000 fine.

In social work, Jennifer B. Hohn of Saint James, NY and Jonathan Snyder Loomis of Auburn, NY were each given two-year stayed suspensions and probations with fines of $500.

Veterinarian Tonia Lynn Hite of Hamburg, NY agreed to a two-year stayed suspension and probation as well as a $750 fine.

These actions are part of the Board of Regents’ ongoing oversight of licensed professionals in New York State to ensure public trust and accountability in regulated professions.