May 27, 2004

The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has summarily suspended the nursing license of Christopher Andrea Upshaw Sr., L.P.N., due to his felony conviction in the 37th Judicial Circuit Court, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Upshaw failed to report his conviction to MDCH as required by the Public Health Code. On September 2, 2003, Upshaw was convicted of Failure to Return Rented Property-$1,000.00 or More but Less than $20,000.00.

Upshaw was sentenced as a habitual offender to a suspended jail sentence of nine months and was placed on probation for a period of two years. Upshaw’s previous convictions include a 1994 and a 1996 felony conviction of Carrying a Concealed Weapon and two misdemeanor convictions in 2003 for Retail Fraud- Second Degree.

On May 12, 2004, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Upshaw’s nursing license, pursuant to the Public Health Code, which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Upshaw’s licensed practical nurse license.

More information about disciplinary actions taken by the health professional licensing boards is available on the DCH website at: http://www.michigan.gov/mdch, then select the Health Systems and Licensing link.