Leduc naturopathic doctor admits to unprofessional conduct, will pay fine
A Leduc naturopath has admitted to unprofessional conduct following an investigation by the College of Naturopathic Doctors of Alberta (CNDA).
Veronika Botova, a naturopathic doctor, signed a March 9 memorandum of understanding outlining how she skirted CNDA standards.
“You failed to adequately chart the patient interactions through which you determined that mask exemption letters were appropriate,” reads the memo, written by Cherie Baruss, the CNDA complaints director.
Baruss also pointed out Botova's website advertising prescribing privileges that she no longer had.
“Your website makes reference to `prescribing rights in British Columbia' which is not only a restricted act in Alberta but was resigned alongside your CNPBC registration.”
Botova was adjudged to have broken general CNDA standards of practice as well as those around IV therapy, records keeping and advertising and marketing.
“I find there are reasonable grounds that your conduct constitutes unprofessional conduct.”
The investigation followed a complaint to the CNDA, though the memo doesn't provide specifics on the nature of the complaint.
The Alberta government granted naturopaths regulated status in 2012 and created the CNDA the same year.
The province's Health Professions Act requires the CNDA to set registration and continuing competency requirements and to investigate complaints about members and apply discipline as needed. Botova is based in Leduc and describes herself on Facebook as having a “focus on finding and treating the root cause of illness rather than masking symptoms.”
The memo notes she cooperated with the CNDA in the investigation.
In signing the memo, she effectively resolved the complaint and avoided a hearing tribunal.
Botova was also ordered to pay a $250 fine as well as $500 toward the cost of the investigation.
The reference to prescribing rights in B.C. was also ordered to be immediately removed from her website.
She must also provide proof of enrolment or completion of a Cnda-approved records keeping course by the end of September.