On June 15, 2023, a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Deanna Lenhardt (aka Whitton) of Hope, B.C., to address her professional misconduct occurring from August 2022 to February 2023. Specifically, she breached the terms of a voluntary undertaking given to BCCNM during the course of an investigation into her nursing practice by failing to advise BCCNM that she had started working with a new employer. The terms of Deanna Lenhardt's voluntary undertaking required disclosure of complaint allegations to all employers during the course of the BCCNM investigation.
Voluntary undertakings are binding promises made by a registrant to BCCNM during an investigation into a complaint made about the registrant's practice. Voluntary undertakings vary depending on the complaint and evidence on hand. They are an important tool for BCCNM to manage potential risk related to a registrant's ongoing practice while evidence is gathered to evaluate whether an allegation is proven. The failure of a registrant to abide by their binding promises poses a risk to public safety and undermines BCCNM's public protection mandate as well as has the potential to erode public confidence in the professions of nursing and midwifery.
Deanna Lenhardt has voluntarily agreed to terms equivalent to a limit and/or condition on their practice, including:
- Cancellation of her registration and a prohibition on reapplying for one year; Should Deanna Lenhardt reapply for practising registration in the future, she will be required to satisfy the Registration Committee that she meets the requirements of fitness, competence, and good character.
The Inquiry Committee is satisfied that the terms will protect the public.