Meeting of the Board of Regents | April 2010

Summary

Issue for Decision

Should the Regents approve the appointment of Douglas E. Lentivech as Executive Secretary to the State Board for Acupuncture, the State Board for Occupational Therapy, and State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology?   

Reason(s) for Consideration

Required by State statute.

Proposed Handling

This recommendation was considered by the full Board of Regents at its executive session for discussion during the April Regents meeting.  It is now being brought before the full Board for final action at the Board’s public session in April 2010.

Procedural History

Section 8213(2) of the Education Law requires the Board of Regents to appoint the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Acupuncture. Section 8205 of the Education Law requires the Board of Regents to appoint the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology. Likewise, section 7903 of the Education Law requires the Regents to appoint the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Occupational Therapy.  Regents regulation of all of these professions began in 1976.  The State professional boards advise and assist the Regents and the Department on matters of professional licensing and professional conduct.

Background Information

Douglas Lentivech has 16 years of varied and progressively responsible experience with the State Education Department.  After leaving the private practice of law to join the Department’s Office of Counsel, where he worked on a variety of education issues, he moved to the Office of the Professions where he has made significant and positive contributions.  Mr. Lentivech was responsible for overseeing the development of the Office’s web page that posts all of the Board of Regents disciplinary actions relating to licensed professionals.  This internet resource was the first comprehensive listing of professional discipline summaries in the nation and soon became a recognized model.  Mr. Lentivech continues to oversee this project, which has disciplinary information available, in summary form, for all of the Title VIII professions spanning from 1995 to the present.

Mr. Lentivech’s other responsibilities include providing legal advice and support to the Division of Professional Licensing Services, the Office of Professional Responsibility, and the State Boards for all 48 professions, including those for Acupuncture, Occupational Therapy, and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.  He has also worked with the Department’s Office of Counsel on a variety of matters including litigation support.  During the past several years Mr. Lentivech has provided support to the New York Attorney General’s Office and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, serving as an expert witness and consultant in cases involving professional responsibility and Medicaid/insurance fraud.  Mr. Lentivech also acts as the Office of the Professions’ Freedom of Information Officer.

In addition to his other responsibilities, Mr. Lentivech is the Executive Secretary to the State Board for Chiropractic and has served as Acting Executive Secretary to the State Board for Acupuncture, the State Board for Occupational Therapy, and the State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology since 2008. He is also currently serving as the Acting Executive Secretary to the State Board for Respiratory Therapy.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the Regents approve the appointment of Douglas E. Lentivech as Executive Secretary to the State Board for Acupuncture, the State Board for Occupational Therapy, and the State Board for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology.

Timetable for Implementation

If the Regents approve the recommendation, the appointment will be effective April 20, 2010.