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This matter came before a panel of the Discipline Committee of the College of Optometrists of Ontario this 9th day May 2017, in Toronto, Ontario, at 1:40 p.m. at 65 St. Clair Ave. E.
1. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE FOUND Dr. Aabed guilty of professional misconduct for having committed acts of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(a) of the Health Professions Procedural Code, being Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991 C.18 in that he was found guilty of offences that are relevant to his suitability to practise optometry.
2. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE FOUND Dr. Aabed guilty of professional misconduct for having committed acts of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code being Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991 C.18, and defined in paragraph 1.39 of Ontario Regulation 119/94 in that he engaged in conduct or performed an act that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional or unethical.
3. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDERED that Dr. Aabed appear before the panel to be reprimanded.
4. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDERED that the Registrar be directed to suspend Dr. Aabed’s certificate of registration for a period of two months to commence within 30 days of the date of the Order of the Discipline Committee.
5. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDERED that the Registrar be directed to impose the following specified terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Aabed’s certificate of registration: that Dr. Aabed complete the ProBE Ethics and Boundaries Program at his own expense; and attain an “unconditional pass” prior to December 31, 2017.
6. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDERED that Dr. Aabed pay the College’s legal costs and expenses of $10,000 to be paid within 10 months of the date of the Order of the Discipline Committee as follows:
a. Dr. Aabed shall pay ten monthly installments of $1,000 with the first cheque to be dated the same day as the Order of the Discipline Committee and the remaining nine cheques dated monthly thereafter; and
b. Dr. Aabed shall provide the Registrar with post-dated cheques for the full amount at the hearing.