On December 7, 2017 the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee referred a matter involving Mohannad Bakri to the Discipline Committee for a hearing. The hearing took place on December 6, 2018. The panel’s decision will be made available on CanLII (www.canlii.org). 

Overview of the Allegations

The allegations refer to the following headings of professional misconduct:

1. At all material times Mohannad Bakri (“Mr. Bakri” or the “Member”) was registered as a Physiotherapist in the Province of Ontario, providing services through Physio Art Rehabilitation clinic in Hamilton, Ontario (the “Clinic”). At all material times, Mr. Bakri was the owner of the Clinic. 

2. Between the period of January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015, Mr. Bakri engaged in professional misconduct within the meaning of the following paragraphs of section 1 of the Professional Misconduct Regulation, 0. Reg. 388/08:

• a. paragraph 1 (failing to maintain the standards of the profession);
• b. 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);
• c. paragraph 26 (failing to keep records in accordance with the standards of the profession);
• d. paragraph 28 (signing or issuing a document containing a statement that the member knows our ought to know contains a false or misleading statement);
• e. paragraph 32 (submitting an account or charge for services that the member knows or ought to know is false or misleading);
• f. 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);
• g. paragraph 40 (continuing the treatment of a patient where it is no longer indicated, has ceased to be effective or is unnecessary).
  
  

Findings

At the conclusion of the hearing the panel found that Mr. Bakri had committed several act(s) of professional misconduct and they ordered the following penalty.

Penalty

1 - a reprimand (delivered on December 6, 2018)
2 - a suspension of 15 months with 8 months remitted if the following remedial activities are completed within the required timelines 
A - successful completion of the ProBe ethics program
B - a review of various College standards, tools and resources

In the event that Mr. Bakri chooses to work as a PTA during the period of his suspension, the supervising physiotherapist must work at Mr. Bakris practice location and must approved by the Registrar.

Mr. Bakri will be required to work with a practice coach for no more than three years during which time he will not be able to supervise physiotherapy students or PTA students, or members of the College who hold a provisional practice certificate of registration.  

Mr. Bakri will be subjected to spot audits for a period of no more than three years.

In addition Mr. Bakri was ordered to pay costs in the amount of $8000.00 to the College to offset some of the costs of investigating and prosecuting this matter.