For immediate release: June 25, 2004 (04-074)

Contact: Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022

OLYMPIA ¾ The Health Professions Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.

HPQA is responsible for protecting and enhancing the health of the people of
Washington State by assuring access to safe, competent health care providers. HPQA personnel work in partnership with 12 boards, four commissions, and nine advisory committees to set licensing standards for 55 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).

Information on Washington’s health care providers is now available online at our new Provider Credential Search Web site (https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/hpqa1/Application/Credential_Search/profile.asp). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling HPQA, 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

• Clallam County
• Grays Harbor County
• King County
• Pierce County
• Spokane County
• Thurston County
• Walla Walla County
• Yakima County
• Out of State

In June 2004 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery entered an Agreed Order with Richard H. Turner, an osteopathic physician (OP00001227). Turner agrees to immediately surrender his license and cease his practice as a osteopathic doctor in Washington. A patient in Turner’s care died.

In June 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Stephanie J. Ream, a licensed practical nurse (LP00039661). Charges against Ream include inappropriately delegating duties to nursing assistants and failing to properly assess a patient.

In May 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the registration of nursing assistant William H. Beck, Jr. (NA00148275) for five years. Beck was convicted of theft. This conviction was related to Medicaid fraud.

In June 2004 the Medical Commission revoked the license of physician Evelyn M. Hanshew (MD00026630) for 10 years. Charges against her include failing to keep appropriate documentation in patient files and closing her office without notifying patients.

In May 2004 the Counselor Programs granted the application of Valerie Morford to practice as a registered counselor (CA00006412) but placed it on an indefinite suspension. The suspension will be lifted when she can safely practice as a counselor and does not present a risk of harm to the public. Morford’s criminal record includes unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, shoplifting, domestic violence, assault and reckless driving.

In June 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Paula G. Murphy, a licensed practical nurse (LP00043153). Murphy tested positive for controlled substances.

In May 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of registered nurse Anne M. Chamberlin (RN00136046). Charges against her include diverting controlled substances from her workplace, failing to follow a physician’s order and failing to follow procedure when destroying controlled substances.

In May 2004 the Health Care Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the certification of Sallie A. Pisano, a health care assistant (HC00135469). She failed to respond to the program in regards to a complaint filed by her employer.

In May 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the registration of nursing assistant Katie McBain (NA00146915) for five years. McBain was convicted of theft.

In June 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the certification of nursing assistant Felipa M. Adame (NC10071743), for five years. Adame was convicted of theft for forging and negotiating a check belonging to a patient.

(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.)

Oregon: In May 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended Sarah M. Dexter, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00134043). In April 2002 the Oregon Board of Nursing indefinitely suspended Dexter’s license to practice as a registered nurse in Oregon.

Oregon: In June 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Lola K. Johnson, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00086781). Johnson failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.

Virgin Islands: In June 2004 the Nursing Commission revoked the license of Robert F. Mulford, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00123087). He must pay a $1,000 fine before requesting modification and/or reinstatement. In June 2003 Mulford’s license to practice nursing in Arizona was revoked.

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