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Therapist Loses License Over Failure to Complete Diversion Program

SACRAMENTO — The license of a Benicia Physical Therapist has been revoked under a stipulated settlement with the Department of Consumer Affairs' Board of Physical Therapy.

The revocation order, adopted May 31 by the Board against Jean Marie Swan, goes into effect June 30. It stems from Ms. Swan's violating the terms of probation imposed by the Board in a 2003 case.

"Unfortunately, Ms. Swan was unable to successfully fulfill the conditions that would have allowed her to continue to practice her profession," said Steven Hartzell, Executive Officer for the Physical Therapy Board. "But the Board has a responsibility to protect consumers from possible harm."

In the 2003 case, the Board had sought to revoke Ms. Swan's license after she was convicted of drunken driving twice over an 18-month period. The first offense occurred in March 2001, the second in September 2002.

But in a November 2004 stipulated settlement with the Board, Ms. Swan agreed to seven years probation and to participate in the Board's substance abuse diversion program. The settlement allowed Ms. Swan to continue working under Board-specified conditions.

Ms. Swan enrolled in the Board's substance abuse program in March 2005, but failed to submit the necessary documentation to the Board verifying her compliance with the program. She was terminated from the diversion program in December 2006 and the Board moved to revoke her probation.

The mission of the Physical Therapy Board of California is to promote and protect the interests of the people of California by the effective and consistent administration and enforcement of the Physical Therapy Practice Act. Consumers can check a physical therapist's license and get additional consumer information by visiting the PTBC's Web site at www.ptb.ca.gov, or by calling DCA's Consumer Information Center toll-free at 800-952-5210.

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