February 4, 2008

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has immediately suspended the license to practice as a psychologist of John M. Berecz, Ph.D, M.F.T., based on his misdemeanor conviction in the Berrien County Trial Court, Berrien County, Michigan. Berecz failed to report his conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code.

On Dec. 14, 2007, Berecz was convicted of one misdemeanor count of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the fourth degree. As a result, Berecz was sentenced to jail for 90 days with the last 30 days on electronic monitoring, placed on probation for five years, and ordered to pay costs and fees totaling $1,520.

On Jan. 28, 2008, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Berecz's psychology license pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the summary suspension of a health professional's license when the department finds that the public health, safety or welfare requires emergency action. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Berecz's license to practice as a psychologist.

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.