July 19, 2006

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Jerome Ernest Thelen, R.N., based, in part, on his felony conviction in the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Kent County.

On March 2, 2006, Thelen was convicted of one felony count of Criminal Sexual Conduct – Second Degree (Relationship). As a result, Thelen was sentenced to 12 months in jail with 11 days credit, placed on probation for a period of 60 months, and assessed court costs and fees in the amount of $3,120.

On June 30, 2006, MDCH issued an order immediately suspending Thelen's license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional’s license upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Thelen's registered nurse license.

For more information on disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards within MDCH, please go to http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, and click on Health Systems and Licensing.