Dr. Casey L. Tepperman – April 2019

1. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE FOUND that Dr. Tepperman committed an act or acts of professional misconduct as provided by subsection 51(1)(c) of the Health Professions Procedural Code (the “Code”) being Schedule 2 to the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991, S.O. 1991 C.18, and defined in the following paragraphs:
   1. Dr. Tepperman failed to make or maintain Patient X’s health record in accordance with applicable standards and College policies, in that he did not record Patient X’s complete health and oculo-visual history between April 2008 and October 2016, including with respect to the finding of an iris nevus or any associated clinical findings, despite numerous ocular examinations of Patient X, contrary to paragraph 1.24 and part 4, sections 10(2)(4) and (6) of Ontario Regulation 119/94 to the Optometry Act.
   2. Dr. Tepperman failed to refer Patient X to an ophthalmologist for investigation when he recognized or should have recognized a raised nevus on Patient X’s left eye iris, contrary to paragraph 1.11 of Ontario Regulation 119/94.
   3. Dr. Tepperman failed to maintain the standard of practice contrary to paragraph 1.14 of Ontario Regulation 119/94 in that he failed to diagnose, appropriately record, adequately monitor, and/or refer Patient X to an ophthalmologist for further investigation of an iris nevus.
2. THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE ORDERED:
   1. Dr. Tepperman shall attend in person before the Panel of the Discipline Committee to receive a public, verbal reprimand, a copy of which shall be published on the College Register;
   2. Dr. Tepperman shall participate in a College approved Practice Coaching Program at his expense, as follows:
      1. Within 6 months of the date of the order Dr. Tepperman shall participate in an initial 2-day session during which the Practice Coach approved by the College shall conduct such observation of and/or discussions relating to Dr. Tepperman’s practice as they deem necessary relating to the diagnosis of ocular pathology, including iris nevus, during eye examinations, and appropriate referral and record-keeping practices;
      2. Dr. Tepperman shall participate in a further half day session approximately 6 months after the initial meeting to review Dr. Tepperman’s practices with respect to eye examinations, appropriate referrals, and record-keeping practices;
      3. the Practice Coach shall report to the Registrar confirming that the Practice Coaching has taken place to his or her satisfaction.
   3. Dr. Tepperman shall pay $7,500 CDN as a contribution towards the investigation and prosecution costs incurred by the College in this matter.

At the conclusion of the hearing, Dr. Tepperman waived his right to appeal and the Discipline Committee delivered the reprimand.