The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has immediately suspended the license of Nancy Ann Northway to practice as an audiologist, based on her felony conviction.

On Dec. 11, 2008, in the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court, Oakland County, Mich., Northway was convicted of Operated Under the Influence of Liquor Per Se, Third Offense, a felony. As a result, Northway was sentenced to jail for a period of 90 days, probation with terms for three years, and ordered to pay fines, costs and supervision fees of $6,880.

On April 17, 2009, MDCH issued an order summarily suspending Northway's license pursuant to the Public Health Code which provides for the mandatory summary suspension of a health professional upon the conviction of a felony, a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for a maximum term of two years, or a controlled substance-related conviction. An administrative hearing will be scheduled to address the status of Northway's license to practice as an audiologist.

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.