Department of Public Health panel overrules objection, admits sealed HAVEN records in Dr. Helms license hearing

A Department of Public Health hearing panel on March 15, 2025 overruled the respondent's objection to multiple Department exhibits and admitted sealed HAVEN program records before hearing opening statements in a contested licensing matter involving Dr. Helms.

Department counsel said the exhibits — including an investigative report dated 08/08/2024 (235 pages, under seal), a therapist letter dated 05/30/2024 (one page, under seal), and HAVEN drug-test results (seven pages) — are material and admissible under the Administrative Procedure Act. The panel cited Connecticut General Statutes §4-178 (UAPA) in explaining that evidence that is relevant and material may be admitted, with the panel assigning weight during fact-finding.

Defense counsel Attorney Spinella argued on the record that "all of these statements of charges are false" and said his client "was never under the influence of alcohol while practicing dentistry." Spinella repeatedly objected that the Department's records do not connect positive tests or other entries to specific dates and clinical events that would show impairment while practicing; he reiterated that the defense intends to call witnesses, including Dr. Dworkin, who will testify they never observed impairment.

Department counsel summarized the allegations as asserting that on or about Feb. 3, 2022 the respondent was unfit for duty or abused or utilized alcohol while practicing dentistry. The Department said its HAVEN liaison would testify that HAVEN records and urine screens "correlate with the dates alleged" in the statement of charges and explained that the agency is not seeking license revocation but is recommending probationary conditions such as continuing monitoring, therapy reports, employer reports and urine drug screens. Counsel noted the HAVEN contract had been scheduled to run through approximately February 2027.

During procedural discussion the panel clarified how nonresponsive written answers will be treated: respondents may either orally admit or deny individual allegations on the record or rely on the written answer and require the Department to prove disputed allegations during fact-finding. On the record, counsel and the respondent admitted that Dr. Helms holds a Connecticut license (license number 008171) while denying multiple charged paragraphs alleging use of alcohol or drugs while practicing.

After taking testimony from Paula Del Grego, who identified herself as a Department of Public Health Practitioner Investigations Unit supervisor and the liaison to the HAVEN program, counsel and the panel determined that HAVEN treatment records are sealed and moved to executive session to review them. The panel formally paused the public record and entered executive session for the purpose of discussing HAVEN treatment or other sealed records.

The hearing will continue after the panel's executive-session review; the panel indicated it could extend the day's schedule or reconvene as needed to accommodate witness testimony and fact-finding.