On June 21, 2023, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) referred a matter involving Marianna Paz to the Discipline Committee for a hearing.

The hearing took place on December 11, 2023. This matter was resolved by way of an Agreed Statement of Facts and a Joint Submission on Penalty.

Finding

The panel of the Discipline Committee issued a decision on the finding on December 11, 2023, on the penalty on December 11, 2023 and on costs on December 11, 2023.

After having considered all of the evidence, the panel found Marianna Paz to have committed the following acts of professional misconduct:

• paragraph 1 (failing to maintain the standards of practice of the profession);
• paragraph 18 (engaging in conduct or performing an act relevant to the practice of the profession that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional);
• paragraph 27 (falsifying a record);
• paragraph 28 (signing or issuing a document containing a statement that the member knows or ought to know is false or misleading);
• paragraph 32 (submitting an account or charge for services that the member knows or ought to know is false or misleading) and;
• paragraph 33 (failing to take reasonable steps to ensure that any accounts submitted in the member’s name or billing number are fair and accurate

Penalty

The panel ordered the following penalty, Marianna Paz will:

• Receive a reprimand at the conclusion of the hearing (delivered on December 11, 2023)
• Serve an eight (8) month suspension, which could be extended if certain requirements aren’t met
• Review a list of standards and resources
• Participate in practice enhancement coaching
• Successfully complete the extended version of the ethics and professionalism course
  
  

While Marianna Paz is serving the suspension, they cannot use the title Physiotherapist, PT or any abbreviation there of Marianna Paz’s name, PT title and/or registration number cannot be use for billing purposes while the suspension is being served.

Marianna Paz can only practice as a physiotherapist assistant (PTA) while serving the suspension if they have a supervisor who is pre-approved by the College.

The panel also ordered Marianna Paz to pay costs to the College in the amount of $7,000 to offset some of the costs associated with investigating and prosecuting this case.

As a part of the penalty, the Committee also issued a reprimand which read as follows:

Ms. Paz, as you know, as part of the penalty order, this Discipline Panel has ordered that you receive an oral reprimand. The fact that you received this reprimand will be part of the public portion of the Register and, as such, part of your record.

As a profession, we must maintain the confidence of the public and all involved stakeholders, such as third-party funders. Your conduct shows utter disregard for the College standards, undermines public trust, and brings disrepute to the profession. 

Using another health professional's license number placed the other health professional in a compromised position, jeopardizing their ability to practice.

Finally, it is very concerning for this panel that you are a practice owner. Your position as a leader requires that you lead by example. At all times, your conduct must include strict adherence to the standards of practice of the profession. 

The panel is disappointed that you chose the path that you did and hopes that you learn to appreciate the responsibility and privilege bestowed upon you as a Physiotherapist. 

We expect that the remediation measures outlined in this penalty and the pre-existing SCERP will ensure your practice always meets the standards of the Profession in the future.

You can read the full decision of the Discipline Committee of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario at: www.canlii.ca