HARTFORD/WEST HARTFORD, CT — A state medical board has temporarily suspended the license of a West Hartford psychiatrist pending further disciplinary review, calling him a "clear and immediate danger" to the public.
The Connecticut Medical Examining Board has summarily suspended the license of a physician accused by state health officials of improperly prescribing controlled substances, violating boundaries with psychiatric patients, and failing to cooperate with an investigation.
The board voted Aug. 18 to grant the state Department of Public Health's motion to summarily suspend Dr. Douglas Zelisko medical license, according to meeting records.
Zelisko operated a practice in West Hartford called "Integrative Psychiatry," which was located on South Main Street. Links to the practice's website, now, no longer work.
Board member Dr. Robert Green made the motion after finding Zelisko posed a "clear and immediate danger to the public health and safety" if allowed to continue practicing.
Dr. Peter Zeman seconded the motion. All participating members voted for the suspension except Dr. C. Steven Wolf, who recused himself.
Zelisko was not present for the proceeding, according to the minutes. DPH Staff Attorney Joelle Newton represented the department.
The suspension came one day after the DPH issued a lengthy list of charges against Zelisko.
The allegations remain charges and are subject to the state's disciplinary process.
Among the allegations, DPH claims that from October 2023 through December 2024, Zelisko prescribed or dispensed three ketamine prescriptions and six testosterone prescriptions in the name of a patient who neither received nor knew about them.
The department alleges the prescriptions were sent to a compounding pharmacy and delivered to Zelisko's residence for his personal use.
DPH also alleges Zelisko hired his romantic partner in February 2025 to work at his psychiatric practice as a practice administrator, life coach, counselor, and/or administrative assistant even though the person was not licensed by the department.
The state further alleges Zelisko treated and prescribed numerous medications to that partner and failed to maintain appropriate medical records.
The charges detail allegations involving several psychiatric patients.
In one case, DPH alleges Zelisko violated professional boundaries with a patient who had a history of hospitalizations for behavioral health issues.
The state claims he socialized with the patient at bars or restaurants, allowed the patient to stay overnight at his residence, and consumed alcohol and/or illicit substances with the patient.
DPH further alleges Zelisko recommended that the patient retain his romantic partner as a life coach or addiction specialist, misrepresented that person's credentials, allowed the partner to hold or administer the patient's medications, and arranged for the partner to conduct therapy sessions.
The state also alleges confidential patient information was shared without the patient's consent.
The charges say that the patient was hospitalized at the Institute of Living, Silver Hill Hospital, and Yale New Haven Hospital at various times in 2025.
According to DPH's allegations, a Silver Hill physician told the patient's parent that Zelisko and his partner should not be working with the patient after concerns arose about alleged drug use.
DPH also accuses Zelisko of billing that patient for medical appointments that did not occur, including some purported appointments while the patient was hospitalized.
Another patient described by the state as psychiatrically complex and fragile was allegedly prescribed ketamine without adequate clinical justification or monitoring.
DPH claims Zelisko prescribed ketamine rapidly dissolving tablets at 150 milligrams up to six times per day for self-administration and failed to monitor the patient's blood pressure during its use.
The department also alleges Zelisko missed appointments, failed to return calls or provide timely medication refills, and violated professional boundaries involving that patient and the patient's parents.
Other allegations involve failures to provide medication refills, complete disability paperwork, or respond to patients and other physicians.
In one case, DPH alleges the abandonment of a patient with bipolar disorder led to missed medication refills and a major depressive episode with mixed features.
The department's allegations also extend to Zelisko's interactions with another psychiatrist with whom he shared office space.
DPH claims Zelisko and/or his romantic partner accessed that psychiatrist's office, website, and Quest Diagnostics account without authorization and redirected communications containing confidential patient information.
State investigators also allege Zelisko failed to properly maintain records for controlled substances stored at his residence.
According to the charges, Zelisko wrote about 1,264 controlled-substance prescriptions exceeding a 72-hour supply for approximately 242 patients between June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2025.
DPH alleges he failed to check Connecticut's Prescription Monitoring and Reporting System before issuing about 1,232 of those prescriptions, in violation of state law.
DPH also claims Zelisko repeatedly failed to turn over patient medical records requested during its investigation and later ignored a subpoena seeking the records.
The department says the allegations constitute grounds for disciplinary action and is asking the Medical Examining Board to revoke Zelisko's license or impose other discipline it considers appropriate under state law.
The summary suspension is an interim action while the disciplinary case proceeds. The board next meets Sept. 15.
For the minutes of the Aug. 18 Connecticut Medical Examining Board meeting, click on this link.
For the CT Department of Public Health's 'Statement of Charges' against Zelisko, click on this link.
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