State Board Within the Division of Consumer Affairs
Suspends the Licenses of Three North Jersey Doctors
NEWARK – The State Board of Medical Examiners has temporarily suspended the licenses of three North Jersey physicians after each was arrested and criminally charged by law enforcement agencies in three separate and unrelated cases.
The physicians agreed to the temporary license suspensions in lieu of formal disciplinary hearings before the Board. The suspensions remain in effect pending further action of the Board.
"These physicians could not be permitted to continue to practice medicine and interact with patients, given the serious nature of the charges pending against them," Attorney General Paula T. Dow said. "The Board has acted to ensure the public’s safety."
Demesvar A. Jean-Baptiste, 38, of Watchung, was charged last month with burglary, making terroristic threats, and aggravated assault. He also failed to comply with an April 2011 Consent Order with the Board that allowed him to remain in practice – subject to monitoring and other conditions – while he was entered into the Professional Assistance Program. The Board and Dr. Jean-Baptiste yesterday agreed to a license suspension, effective on September 23.
Eugene Demczuk, 66, of Livingston, was charged last month with conspiracy to distribute Oxycodone and distribution of Oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose. His license suspension began on September 8.
Priscilla G. Ilem, 84, of Wayne, was charged last month with issuing prescriptions for a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Oxycodone) without a legitimate purpose. Her license suspension began on September 8.
"The abuse of prescription pain killers is a national epidemic, and the medical professionals we license put their careers at risk by abetting the illegal flow of these potent and potentially life-threatening drugs into our neighborhoods," said Thomas R. Calcagni, Director of the State Division of Consumer Affairs. "The public places the highest level of trust in medical professionals to oversee the well-being of our families and communities. The crimes committed by these three physicians, if proven true, violated that trust."
Deputy Attorneys General Doreen A. Hafner and David M. Puteska, Assistant Section Chiefs of the Professional Boards Prosecution Section, and Deputy Attorney General Kim D. Ringler are representing the Division in these cases.
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