DOVER – Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has suspended the Delaware medical license and controlled substance prescribing privileges of Ifeanyi Udezulu for repeatedly failing to adhere to state regulations for the safe prescribing of opioid medications.

In making this determination, Secretary Bullock considered a complaint filed by the Department of Justice, which alleged that Mr. Udezulu repeatedly prescribed opioid medications to patients without obtaining informed consent, discussing the risks associated with such medications, or conducting meaningful patient evaluations or examinations. The complaint further alleged that Mr. Udezulu ignored “red flags” that signaled misuse, abuse, or diversion of the medications he had prescribed.

The order suspending Mr. Udezulu’s medical license was signed by the secretary with the concurrence of the president of the Board of Medical Licensure and Discipline. The secretary had sole authority to suspend Mr. Udezulu’s Controlled Substance Registration.

Delaware Code Title 24 enables a temporary suspension pending a hearing to be issued upon the written order of the Secretary of State, if the activity of the licensee presents a clear and immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare.

The suspension of Mr. Udezulu will remain in effect for a period of 60 days, during which time disciplinary hearings will be held or the final disposition for this individual will take place. As the result of a hearing, the Board of Medical Licensure and has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions up to and including revocation of a practitioner’s license. The secretary has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions up to and including revocation of the Controlled Substance Registration.

The licensure status of Mr. Udezulu has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service. Documentation related to this suspension also may be viewed at this site.

DOVER – Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has suspended the Delaware chemical dependency counseling license of Sachin Karnik in light of recent criminal charges filed against him.

In making this determination, Secretary Bullock considered a complaint filed by the Department of Justice, which referenced Mr. Karnik’s recent arrest for felony health care fraud, felony theft, and falsifying business records. The complaint further alleges that Mr. Karnik misrepresented his credentials, falsified his licensing application and disregarded ethical standards.

A separate license held by Mr. Karnik to practice clinical social work was suspended on March 1 by the Board of Clinical Social Work Examiners, following a disciplinary hearing. The board concluded that Mr. Karnik had violated professional standards while caring for a vulnerable patient.

The order suspending Mr. Karnik’s chemical dependency counseling license was signed by the secretary June 5 with the concurrence of the president of the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals.

Delaware Code Title 24 enables a temporary suspension pending a hearing to be issued upon the written order of the Secretary of State, if the activity of the licensee presents a clear and immediate danger to public health, safety or welfare.

The suspension of Mr. Karnik will remain in effect for a period of 60 days, during which time disciplinary hearings will be held or the final disposition for this individual will take place. As the result of a hearing, the Board of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency Professionals has the authority to impose disciplinary sanctions up to and including revocation of a practitioner’s license or certification.

The licensure status of Mr. Karnik has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service. Documentation related to this suspension, as well as documentation of previous disciplinary actions against Mr. Karnik, also may be viewed at this site.

###

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has ordered the temporary suspension of the Delaware nursing license of Dana Dolan of Smyrna, following a filing by the Delaware Department of Justice with the Board of Nursing in response to complaints of the licensee engaging in activities that present a clear and immediate danger to the public health, including the diversion of controlled substances from her employer for her own personal use.

In making his determination, Secretary Bullock considered the written complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleging that Ms. Dolan had engaged in the diverting and consuming of non-prescribed controlled substances from her employer, and her admitted addiction and dependence on controlled substances. As a result, the Board should issue an order temporarily suspending her license, pending a final hearing on the complaint as provided by 24 Del. C. § 1923.

As a result of the actions taken today, the suspension of Ms. Dolan will remain in effect for a period of 60 days during which time disciplinary hearings will be held to determine the final disposition for the nurse.

The licensure status of Ms. Dolan has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service.

Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has ordered the temporary suspension of the Delaware nursing license of Katelynn Ronan of Boothwyn, PA, following a filing by the Delaware Department of Justice with the Board of Nursing in response to complaints of the licensee engaging in activities that present a clear and immediate danger to the public health, including the diversion of narcotics from her employer for her own personal use.

In making his determination, Secretary Bullock considered the written complaint filed by the Department of Justice alleging that Ms. Ronan had engaged in the diversion of narcotics based on her theft of patient medications, admitted addiction issues, and pending criminal charges. As a result, the Board should issue an order temporarily suspending her license, pending a final hearing on the complaint as provided by 24 Del. C. § 1923.

As a result of the actions taken today, the suspension of Ms. Ronan will remain in effect for a period of 60 days during which time disciplinary hearings will be held to determine the final disposition for the nurse.

The licensure status of Ms. Ronan has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service.

DOVER – Secretary of State Jeffrey Bullock has ordered the temporary suspension of the Delaware nursing license of  Andrea M. Nopper of Wilmington following complaints of the licensee engaging in activities that present a clear and immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare.

In making his determination, Secretary Bullock considered the written complaints filed by the Board of Nursing for temporary suspension of the professional license of Nopper.

Nopper was arrested and charged last May with two misdemeanor counts of possession or consumption of a prescription drug, one misdemeanor count of possession or control of a counterfeit substances, one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia, and one misdemeanor count of offensive touching after admitting to arresting officers that she had been using heroin and cocaine intravenously.

The Delaware Code Titles 23 and 24 were amended on April 15 to enable a temporary suspension pending a hearing to be issued upon the written order of the Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Board chair if the activity of the licensee presents a clear and immediate danger to the public health.

As a result of the actions taken today, the suspensions of Nopper will remain in effect for a period of 60 days during which time disciplinary hearings will be held to determine the final disposition for the nurse.

The licensure status of Nopper has been updated on the Division of Professional Regulation’s online license verification service. A copy of the signed  public order suspending the license of Andrea M. Nopper is attached.

Contact: Tammy Stock at (302) 857-3038 or , Delaware Department of State, Chief, Community Relations.