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For immediate release: December 21, 2004 (04-145)
Contact:
Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers
OLYMPIA ¾ The Health Professions Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of 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/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 October 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Lora L. Harvey, a licensed practical nurse (LP00017842). Charges against her include forging prescriptions and then using the controlled substances for her own non-therapeutic use.
In October 2004 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of registered nurse David Simpkins (RN00142192) for one year. He diverted controlled substances from his workplace and provided urinalysis specimens that tested positive for controlled substances.
In October 2004 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Amy Jo Tobin, a licensed practical nurse (LP00043465) until she complies with terms and conditions. Her license will then be reinstated but subject to probation. Charges against her include failing to respond to the commission and falling asleep while providing care for a patient.
In December 2004 the Pharmacy Board revoked the license of pharmacist Steven L. Elliott (PH00045889) for 10 years. He failed to comply with the terms and conditions of an order and was convicted of assault.
In November 2004 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of Thomas M. McDonald, a licensed practical nurse (LP00049187). He must also pay a $1,000 fine. McDonald diverted controlled substances from his workplace for his own use.
In November 2004 the Health Care Assistant Program revoked the certification of Dean F. Sutton, a health care assistant (HC00126255), for 10 years. Sutton firmly grabbed and squeezed a patient’s face.
In October 2004 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of Karen F. Bemis, a licensed practical nurse (LP00039308), until she completes 60 hours of course work. She must also pay a $1,000 fine and submit performance evaluation reports to the commission. Bemis failed to assess and monitor a patient after administering medication.
In October 2004 the Dental Commission suspended the license of dentist Armand V. Defelice (DE00002911) for one year. All but two months of the suspension is stayed. He must complete continuing education and pay a $1,000 fine. Defelice failed to comply with a prior order.
In October 2004 the Department of Health suspended the credential of registered counselor Jon Tor Dewitt (RC00046342). He has failed to comply with a child support order.
In November 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the registration of nursing assistant Kerri L. Gallagher (NA00070904) for five years. She kept patients’ medications for her own use after picking them up from a pharmacy and failed to respond to a Department of Health investigator.
In November 2004 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Lisa Carter to immediately cease and desist from the unlicensed practice of dentistry. While working in a dental office, Carter cleaned teeth and took impressions for night guards and bleach trays.
In November 2004 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Heidi M. Peterson to immediately cease and desist from the unlicensed practice of dentistry. While working in a dental office, Peterson cleaned teeth and took impressions for night guards and bleach trays. Heidi M. Peterson is also known as Heidi M. Pehl.
(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 November 2004 the Medical Commission permanently restricted the license of Reginald F. Finger to practice a physician licensed in Washington (MD00022002). He may practice medicine in Washington only as directly related to work in public health administration and scientific and policy consultation. This reflects action taken against his license to practice medicine in Colorado.
Hawaii: In December 2004 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of Ellen Y. Demchok from practicing as a pharmacy technician in Washington (VA00016352). Her license is revoked for 10 years. She failed to comply with a prior order.
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