Opinion
May 21, 1998
Petitioner, a physical therapist, was charged by respondent State Education Departments Office of Professional Discipline with several instances of unprofessional conduct involving two female patients. The charges alleged that petitioner had abused two female patients by, inter alia, inappropriately fondling their breasts. Following a hearing, the State Board for Physical Therapy (hereinafter Hearing Panel) found that petitioner had engaged in unprofessional conduct and recommended that his license to practice physical therapy be suspended for one year on each charge, but that the execution of the suspension be stayed and petitioner placed on probation for one year in accordance with various conditions. The Regents Review Committee, with some exceptions, accepted the findings and conclusions of the Hearing Panel, as well as the recommendation as to the penalty to be imposed. Thereafter, respondent Board of Regents accepted the Regents Review Committees recommendations as to petitioners guilt and penalty and the Commissioner of Education issued an order to that effect. Petitioner commenced this CPLR article 78 proceeding, contending that the determination of his guilt is not supported by substantial evidence.
We disagree. The record established that both patients sought physical therapy for back problems they were experiencing. The patients testified that petitioner "touched" or "felt around and under" their breasts during their physical therapy sessions. Notably, neither patient complained of chest pains. Both patients discussed the incidents with family or friends and reported it to the police soon thereafter. Although petitioner denied any inappropriate conduct, we note that it is within the exclusive province of the Hearing Panel and Board of Regents to resolve credibility issues ( see, Matter of Bassim v. Sobol, 178 A.D.2d 787, 788, appeal dismissed, lv denied 79 N.Y.2d 941; Matter of Lee v. Ambach, 111 A.D.2d 522, lv denied 67 N.Y.2d 604). Despite the fact that neither patient used the word "fondle" in describing petitioners conduct, given their testimony we conclude that substantial evidence supports the Boards finding regarding the nature of petitioners misconduct ( see, Matter of Gross v. De Buono, 223 A.D.2d 789; Matter of Morrissey v. Sobol, 176 A.D.2d 1147, 1148, lv denied 79 N.Y.2d 754). We conclude that substantial evidence in the record supports the determination of petitioners guilt and, accordingly, confirm.
Cardona, P. J., Crew III, White and Yesawich Jr., JJ., concur.
Adjudged that the determination is confirmed, without costs, and petition dismissed.