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For Immediate Release: April 21, 2003 (03-071)
Contact: Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA ¾ The state Department of Health has taken the following disciplinary actions or has withdrawn the following charges against health care providers. The department regulates the practice of health professions and enforces health and safety laws to protect the public from negligent, incompetent, or illegal health care practices. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to file a report.
By calling the Health Professions Quality Assurance Division at the state Department of Health, people can get the disciplinary history, license status, and number of complaints against any credentialed health care professional in the state.
To place a complaint against a health care provider or get disciplinary information about a doctor, dentist, or other provider, call the Health Professions Quality Assurance Division at (360) 236-4701.
The state Department of Health is looking for public-spirited people to serve on regulatory boards, commissions, and committees. We seek diversity in board members and recognize the value diversity brings in understanding and serving the people of Washington state. For more information or an application, contact Mary Dale, state Department of Health, at mary.dale@doh.wa.gov .
Benton County
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Julie A. Gibbs to practice as a nursing assistant (NA138635). She may not reapply for a nursing assistant credential until she has rehabilitated her licensed practical nursing license. In January 2001, the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended Gibbs’s licensed practical nursing license.
Clallam County
In April 2003, the Counselor Programs placed the license of A. Lee Cowan, a marriage and family therapist (LF1496) on stayed suspension for three years. Cowan must complete college courses, reimburse the program for $500 and be supervised by a professional. Cowan engaged in sexual contact or activity with a patient.
Grant County
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Ryan D. Harris to practice as a nursing assistant (RA26051). Harris may not reapply for a nursing assistant credential for two years. He failed to respond to charges of unprofessional conduct for pleading guilty to a felony.
Grays Harbor County
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Robert B. Delahanty to practice as a nursing assistant (RA26038), with no right to petition for reinstatement for seven years. Delahanty failed to respond to charges of unprofessional conduct for concealing a theft conviction on his nursing assistant application.
King County
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Joseph C. Dixon to practice as a nursing assistant (RA26082), with no right to petition for reinstatement for three years. Dixon failed to respond to charges of unprofessional conduct for being convicted of two counts of domestic violence.
In March 2003, the Nursing Commission granted Maureen Fogarty’s petition for reinstatement of her registered nursing license (RN123259), subject to probation. Terms of her probation include completing a refresher course.
In March 2003, the Radiologic Technologists Program charged Gretchen A. Mahre, a radiologic technologist (RT535), with unprofessional conduct. Mahre was allegedly convicted of driving under the influence and assault and battery.
In April 2003, the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Jacquelyn Nichols to practice as a health care assistant (CA7432). She may not reapply for five years. Nichols failed to disclose a gross misdemeanor conviction on her application.
Pierce County
In March 2003, the Nursing Commission reinstated Robert C. Boord’s practical nursing license (LP36913), but placed it on probation. Boord must complete a refresher course and continue payments of a $1,250 fine.
In April 2003, the Counselor Programs granted the application of Melissa R. Fraser to practice as a counselor (CA5765), but placed her registration on restriction. She must pay a $1,000 fine ($500 is suspended) and complete college courses. Fraser was convicted of a unlawful use of a building for a drug purpose.
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Kimberly N. Starr to practice as a nursing assistant (RA25984). Starr failed to respond to charges of unprofessional conduct for being found guilty of forgery.
Skamania County
In March 2003, the Dental Commission charged Lynn C. Whitley, an applicant for a dental license (CA3568), with unprofessional conduct for concealing a material fact on her application.
Snohomish County
In April 2003, the Counselor Programs placed the certification and registrations of Clinton R. Dreger, a chemical dependency professional (CP808) and counselor (RC27760), on stayed suspension for two years. Dreger must pay a $4,000 fine ($3,000 is suspended), complete college courses and submit semi-annual reports to the program. He obtained custody of a client’s child.
In March 2003, the Nursing Commission denied the application of Dawn M. Harris for reinstatement of her registered nursing license (RN127232). Harris must seek a substance abuse evaluation before applying for reinstatement of her license. Her Washington registered nursing license was indefinitely suspended in 2001, she has an expired license in Hawaii and her California license was revoked.
In April 2003, the Dental Commission issued a Final Order regarding dentist Linh D. Nguyen (DE7698). Nguyen was reprimanded and is required to complete training and continuing education. He failed to diagnose and/or remove a root fragment remaining after a patient’s tooth was extracted, resulting in infection and injury to the patient.
Whitman County
In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program withdrew charges against Lori D. Schaub, a nursing assistant (NA153966).
Yakima County
In March 2003, the Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Board placed the license of James R. Keene, an osteopathic physician and surgeon (OP1639), on probation for two years. Keene must pay a $3,000 fine and complete continuing education. He failed to address the possibility that a patient suffered from a disease, failed to advise the patient to be tested for the disease and failed to prescribe medications for the disease.
Out of State
(Many health care providers hold licenses in more than one state. Department of Health receives information each month from national groups on disciplined health care providers. When another state’s regulatory group takes actions, the equivalent board/commission/program in Washington files unprofessional conduct charges against the provider’s Washington credential.)
Florida: In April 2003, the Nursing Commission dismissed charges of unprofessional conduct against Dalia Acalinas, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN123368).
Montana: In April 2003, the Medical Commission charged Ronald H. Ullman, a physician and surgeon licensed in Washington (MD10734), with unprofessional conduct. Ullman was allegedly granted a temporary medical license in Montana subject to terms and conditions.
New York: In April 2003, the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Nancy Arzu to practice as a nursing assistant in Washington (CA32911). She failed to respond to charges of unprofessional conduct for attempting to steal merchandise from a department store.
Oregon: In April 2003, the Nursing Commission entered into a Final Order with Teresa M. O’Leary, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN57658). She must seek a substance abuse evaluation and her license will remain suspended for at least six months.
South Dakota: In April 2003, the Physical Therapy Board denied the application of Laverne J. Mendel to practice as a physical therapist in the state of Washington (CA3987). His Iowa license was placed on indefinite suspension
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Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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