On August 9, 2018, the Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee referred a matter involving Christine Zimmermann to the Discipline Committee for a hearing. The hearing was held on April 3, 2019. 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 Christine Zimmermann was a registered member of the College of Physiotherapists of Ontario.

2. During the period from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016, Ms. Zimmermann 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 practice 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 practice of the profession);
• d. paragraph 32 (submitting an account or charge for service that the member knows or ought to know is false or misleading);
• e. paragraph 34 (charging a fee that is excessive in relation to the service performed);
• f. paragraph 40 (continuing treatment of a patient where it is no longer indicated, has ceased to be effective or is unnecessary); and
• g. paragraph 41 (failing to supervise in accordance with the standards of practice of the profession).

Penalty 
At the conclusion of the hearing the panel found that Ms. Zimmermann had committed several acts of professional misconduct and they ordered the following penalty:

1. A reprimand 
2. A suspension of 15 months, with 9 months remitted remedial activities are completed within the required timelines 
3. Successful completion of the ProBe Ethics program
4. A review of various College standards, tools and resources
5. Ms. Zimmermann is required to work with a practice coach for no more than two years during which she will not be able to supervise physiotherapy students or physiotherapy assistant students, or members of the College who hold a Provisional Practice Certificate.  

Ms. Zimmermann is required to pay costs to the College in the amount of $5000.

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