Nursing board summarily suspends Shirley M. Morita after DPH alleges incomplete Medlife training

The Board of Examiners for Nursing on May 20 voted to summarily suspend the Connecticut nursing license of Shirley M. Morita, petition number 2025-292, after the Department of Public Health presented allegations that her nursing education and clinical training were incomplete.

Cynthia Arpin, an RN board member who moved the motion, said the respondent "represents a clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety" if allowed to continue practicing. Attorney Julian Kataya for the Department of Public Health told the board that Morita attested she received her nursing education from the Institute of Allied Health (also called the Medlife Institute) and that "the Medlife Institute was one of many schools that were flagged by the FBI" for providing diplomas and transcripts to people who had not completed approved pre-licensure nursing programs. Kataya said the department believes Morita did not complete required clinical training because she was not resident of Florida for the entire time she attended the school, and asked the board to summarily suspend her license pending a full hearing.

The board recorded a roll-call vote granting the department's motion; the vote was in favor by the voting members present. The suspension will remain in effect until a full hearing is held on the underlying statement of charges. The board's action addresses DPH's immediate public-safety concerns while preserving the respondent's right to a hearing.