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For immediate release: October 27, 2004 (04-126)
Contact: Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022
State disciplines health care providers
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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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 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/providercredentialsearch/). 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.
There is currently an opening on the Orthotics and Prosthetics Advisory Committee for a licensed physician specializing in orthopedic medicine or surgery or physiatry. Please contact 360-236-4947 for information.
In August 2004 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Gordon D. Gardner (MD00019833) on probation for one year. He must pay a $500 fine and submit a paper. Gardner failed to properly diagnose a patient with breast cancer.
In October 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Connie S. Robins to practice as a registered nurse (RN00061776).
In October 2004 the Dental Commission amended a statement of charges against dentist Robert B. Smith (DE00007099). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly providing services that failed to meet the generally accepted standard of practice.
In October 2004 the Medical Commission charged physician Vimlesh Ahmad (MD00020660) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include submitting claims at a higher level of service than she provided, including false statements in medical charts for tests when such tests were not performed and billing for office visits when she hadn’t seen the patient.
In September 2004 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Rebecca Buck. She is allegedly providing duties requiring a dispensing optician license.
In October 2004 the Dental Commission charged dentist Donald S. Davidson (DE00003270) with unprofessional conduct. Davidson allegedly engaged in the practice of dentistry without a valid license.
In October 2004 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Thomas A. Goodwin (CH00001943) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include having sexual contact and relations with patients, representing himself as an acupuncturist and failing to document treatment or billing for services not provided.
In October 2004 the Medical Commission entered into an Agreed Order with physician Thomas J. Laney (MD00024468). He agrees to pay a $1,000 fine and continue to conform to accreditation requirements for office-based surgery. Laney failed to appropriately manage a patient’s airway during surgery.
In October 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Lisa A. Martin to practice as a registered nurse (RN00105453).
In September 2004 the Health Care Assistant Program charged George A. Ure II, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant (CA00009539), with unprofessional conduct. Ure was allegedly convicted of burglary.
In October 2004 the Dental Commission amended a statement of charges against dentist Warner Young (DE00003350). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly providing services that failed to meet the generally accepted standard of practice and failing to provide a patient’s records within the legal time period.
In September 2004 the Acupuncture Program withdrew a statement of charges against acupuncturist Robert Doane (AC00000434).
In October 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Steven L. Elliott (PH00045889) with unprofessional conduct. Elliott allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In October 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Stacy M. Aumiller (PH00049930) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly violated several laws regulating the practice of pharmacy.
In October 2004 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Melissa Davis. She allegedly drew blood from patients but is not licensed as a health care provider. Melissa Davis is also known as Melissa J. Korte.
In October 2004 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Joseph L. Hascall to reactivate his registration to practice as a registered counselor (RC00036319). His registration is placed on a stayed suspended for three years if he complies with terms and conditions of the order. Hascall was convicted of violating a protective order and possessing methamphetamine.
In October 2004 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of Scott L. Davis to practice as a chemical dependency professional (CA00004809). His certification is subject to terms and conditions of the Agreed Order. Davis was convicted of manufacturing counterfeit currency and unlawfully possessing a controlled substance.
In October 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Esther E. Lanphier to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00035871). She may not reapply for one year. In August 2003 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended Lanphier’s registered nursing license.
In October 2004 the Medical Commission charged physician Stephen F. Olmstead (MD00021762) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include failing to comply with an order and submitting a positive urine sample.
In October 2004 the Medical Commission charged physician C. Danae Steele (MD00034191) with unprofessional conduct. Steele failed to respond appropriately when fetal heart monitors indicated compromise or distress.
In October 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Kerri L. Gallagher (NA00070904) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include picking up patients’ prescriptions and keeping them for her own use.
In September 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Debra Harrison to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00047403). Her license is placed on probation for five years. Harrison diverted controlled substances from her workplace for her own use and failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
(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.)
Colorado: In October 2004 the Medical Commission placed the license of Michael A. Spector, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00035831), on probation. He must remain in compliance with an order issued by the Colorado State Board of Medical Examiners. The order placed his Colorado license to practice medicine on probation for five years.
Iowa: In October 2004 the Massage Program placed the license of Michelle Runciman, licensed to practice massage in Washington (MA00003215), on probation for six months. She must pay a $100 fine, complete continuing education and perform community service. Runciman required and/or encouraged unlicensed personnel to engage in activities requiring licensure as a massage practitioner.
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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