MONMOUTH COUNTY – A Monmouth County physician’s license has been suspended after he admitted to having inappropriate sexual contact with a female patient and also allegedly performing questionable prescribing practices, officials said.
Francis Rienzo, 60, of Sea Girt maintains a private practice in Sea Girt and also practices at several treatment centers across the state. He entered into a Consent Order with the Board that imposes a three-year suspension of his New Jersey medical credentials and a civil penalty and costs, totaling $85,856, to resolve the matter.
If proven, Rienzo’s inappropriate sexual contact with a patient and his prescribing of potentially addictive medications, would constitute gross or repeated malpractice and professional misconduct, the Consent Order states. In addition, Rienzo’s alleged failures to maintain an adequate patient record and to perform an appropriate patient examination prior to issuing a prescription would provide grounds for disciplinary action, if proven.
“We will not tolerate sexual misconduct by healthcare professionals towards their patients,” Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck said. “Physicians who betray their patients’ trust and violate professional standards will be held accountable”
Rienzo is prohibited from practicing medicine while serving two years of active suspension and the remaining year as a period of probation, under the terms of the Consent Order.
“The dangerous and unethical behavior exhibited by this doctor raised serious concerns,” Sean P. Neafsey, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs said. “Our office works hard to protect patients and ensure those who abuse the public’s trust are penalized.”
Since April, the Office of the Attorney General announced sweeping reforms to “crack down on sexual abuse and misconduct by licensed professionals and issued Administrative Executive Directive No. 2021-3 to improve how the professional boards and committees deal with issues relating to sexual misconduct. The Directive stems from a comprehensive review conducted by the Division, and it affects approximately 700,000 New Jersey licensees, including physicians, social workers, and home health aides.”
Rienzo is the medical director for multiple New Jersey treatment centers, including the Comprehensive Treatment Center in Cliffwood, Endeavor House in North Kearney, Advanced Health and Education Addiction Treatment Center and Clearwater Behavioral Health in Eatontown, and Sunrise Detox in Cherry Hill, Stirling, and Toms River. He is also a staff physician at Jersey Shore Addiction Services and Hackensack Meridian Health, both with offices in Neptune.
Suspension will go into effect on December 17, to allow adequate time to transfer patients to other New Jersey licensed physicians.
Effective December 17, Rienzo cannot have any contact with patients, practice as a physician, or issue any medical prescriptions, including for controlled dangerous substances. He is precluded from entering the premises of his medical practice when patients may be present, and may not receive or share any fee for professional services rendered by others.
Under the terms of the Consent Order, “Rienzo will be required to appear before the Board to demonstrate fitness to resume medical practice should he petition for reinstatement of his license after two years of active suspension. In the event that Rienzo’s license is reinstated in the future, a Board-approved chaperone will have to be present any time that he provides treatment to any female patient for any reason.”
Patients who believe that they have been treated in an inappropriate manner by a licensed health care professional can file a complaint with the relevant professional board online or by calling 1-800-242-5846 to receive a complaint form by mail.
