A regular meeting of the New Jersey State Board of Optometrists was held at 124 Halsey Street, Newark on the 6th floor on Wednesday, April 16, 2008. Leonard Steiner, O.D., President of the Board, announced that pursuant to the Open Public Meetings Act, Chapter 321, P.L., notice of this meeting was prepared in the office of the Board and mailed out to the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Star Ledger, the Record, the Press of Atlantic City, the Asbury Park Press, and the Trenton Times. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 A.M. A roll call was taken and the following attendance was recorded:

PAUL BENT Present - Arrived at 12:30
GIGETTE COLLAZO HARFST, O.D. Present
RICHARD FAVREAU, O.D. Absent
MITCHELL FINK, O.D. Absent
JOHN FLORIO, O.D. Present
LEONARD STEINER, O.D. Present

Also present were: CARMEN RODRIGUEZ, Deputy Attorney General; LISA PETROWSKI, Assistant to the Executive Director; SUSAN GARTLAND, Representative of the Division of Consumer Affairs.

I. Public Comment

II. Approval of Regular Session Minutes

A. March 19, 2008

A motion was made by Dr. Harfst and seconded by Dr. Florio to approve the March 19, 2008 Regular Session Minutes as amended. A vote was taken and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

III. New Business

A. Letter from Diana Milheim, O.D.
RE: CPR Component of Credentialing Course

Dr. Milheim advised the Board that she is scheduled to begin the credentialing course in May of 2008. Dr. Milheim inquired whether a CPR course that she recently completed could be counted towards the CPR requirement within the credentialing course.

A motion was made by Dr. Harfst and seconded by Mr. Bent to advise Dr. Milheim that the 8-hour CPR component of the credentialing course must be taken contemporaneously with the credentialing course or immediately after the credentialing course as it is part of the credentialing coursework. A vote was taken and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

B. Letter from Jeffrey Frank, O.D.
RE: Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements

Dr. Frank inquired whether a New Jersey licensed optometrist could retail nutritional supplements and vitamins in their optometric offices.

A motion was made by Dr. Harfst and seconded by Dr. Florio to advise Dr. Frank that a New Jersey licensed optometrist who is certified to prescribe oral medications or has educational background in nutrition and vitamin therapy can sell nutritional supplements and vitamins in their optometric offices. A vote was taken and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

IV. For Your Information

A. Letter from International Vision Expo
RE: Course Attendance Verification Change

The Board reviewed a letter from the International Vision Expo concerning a change in the verification certificate that they provide optometrists who attend their courses. The Board considered the letter informational.

B. Division of Consumer Affairs
New Jersey State Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers
and Ophthalmic Technicians
Record of Prescriptions Filled; Advertising
Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:33-5.1 and 7.1
- From the March 17, 2008 New Jersey Register

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Ophthalmic Dispensers and Ophthalmic Technicians Adopted Amendments: N.J.A.C. 13:33-5.1 and 7.1 and considered it informational.

C. Consent Order filed March 19, 2008
In the Matter of Stuart Rothman, O.D.

The Board is in receipt of a Final Order filed March 19, 2008 in the matter of Stuart Rothman, O.D. together with a check in the amount of $500.00 for violation of N.J.S.A. 45:1-21(e). The Board considers this matter to be concluded.

D. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
January 9, 2008 Open Board Minutes

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ January 9, 2008 Open Board Minutes and considered them informational.

E. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
January 9, 2008 Open Minutes of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ January 9, 2008 Open Minutes of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion and considered it informational.

F. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
March 19 2008 Open Board Agenda

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ March 19, 2008 Open Board Agenda and considered it informational.

G. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
March 19 2008 Open Agenda of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ March 19, 2008 Open Agenda of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion and considered it informational.

H. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
April 9, 2008 Open Board Agenda of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ April 9, 2008 Open Board Agenda of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion and considered it informational.

I. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
February 13, 2008 Open Board Minutes

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ February 13, 2008 Open Board Minutes and considered them informational.

J. New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners
February 13, 2008 Open Board Minutes of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion

The Board reviewed the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners’ February 13, 2008 Open Board Minutes of Disciplinary Matters Pending Conclusion and considered it informational.

Upon a motion made by Dr. Harfst and seconded by Mr. Bent, the Board voted to go into Executive Session to discuss the following matters involving investigations or violations of the Board’s enabling act, the Uniform Enforcement Act and/or Board regulations.

1. Three matters filed with the board which requires review and additional recommendations with regard to investigations and/or actions.

2. Two matters where additional information has been submitted to the Board concerning pending investigations.

V. Adjournment

A motion was made by Dr. Harfst and seconded by Dr. Florio to adjourn the Regular Session Meeting at 2:30 P.M. A vote was taken and the motion carried by a unanimous vote.

Respectfully submitted,

Leonard Steiner, O.D.
Board President

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