For immediate release: July 21, 2005 (05-094)

Contact:
Media inquiries: Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022
Public inquiries: Health Professions Customer Service (360) 236-4700

State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA ? 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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state. The information on the cases reported in this news release represents the status of each item on the date the news release was issued.

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.

Asotin County
In June 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Lynn A. Russell, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00035139), with unprofessional conduct. Russell allegedly failed to respond to questions dealing with a 2002 felony prosecution for issuing a check without funds.

Benton County
In June 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacy technician Victoria J. Fjellstrom (VA0002213) with unprofessional conduct. Fjellstrom allegedly failed to fulfill requirements of a previous order against her license.

In June 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged counselor candidate John A. Magana (CA00007394) with unprofessional conduct. Magana was convicted of unlawful possession of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Clark County
In June 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Lois N. Murray (CA00007483) with unprofessional conduct. In 2002 Murray was convicted of possession of methamphetamine in Clark County Superior Court.

Cowlitz County
In June 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged Katrina L. Rodregeus, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007422), with unprofessional conduct. Rodregeus was convicted in the Cowlitz County Superior Court of abandoning a dependent person.

King County
In June 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Signa Anderson (RN00044089) with unprofessional conduct. Anderson allegedly worked as a registered nurse from January 2001 to December 2004 without an active license.

In June 2005 the Health Care Assistance Program charged health care assistant applicant Richard M. Beecham (CA00010687) with unprofessional conduct. Beecham allegedly failed to disclose criminal convictions on his application. He was convicted of burglary, driving under the influence and hit and run.

In June 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Mark P. Jaworski (NA00086622) with unprofessional conduct. Jawaorski allegedly took controlled substances prescribed for a patient.

In June 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Jennifer M. Jenkins to practice as a health care assistant (CA00007016). Jenkins failed to fulfill conditions for a license.

In June 2005 the Medical Quality Assurance Commission charged physician George Mathew (MD00033873) with unprofessional conduct. Mathew (also known as George Mathioudakis) allegedly inappropriately dispensed prescription medications over the Internet.

In June 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Patrice Person (RN00092646) with unprofessional conduct. Person allegedly obtained a controlled substance without a prescription.

In June 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor candidate Amy L. Russell (CA00007357) with unprofessional conduct. Russell was found guilty of residential burglary, taking a vehicle without permission and possession of stolen property in King County Superior Court.

In June 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Mark T. Warren (RN00096374) with unprofessional conduct. Warren allegedly represented himself as a nurse while his license was under indefinite suspension.

Lewis County
In June 2005 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Mathew A. Howard (MA00013617) with unprofessional conduct. Howard was convicted of two counts of child rape by the Lewis County Superior Court.

Pierce County
In June 2005 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professionals programs issued a corrected statement of charges against registered counselor and chemical dependency professional Stephen E. Sawyer (CP00001312, RC00021167). He is charged with unprofessional conduct for improper record keeping of clients? treatment.

Spokane County
In June 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program reinstated the health care assistant credential for Pamela J. Larson (HC00137352). The credential has no restrictions and was reinstated after Larson met all terms and obligations of a previous order.

In June 2005 the Medical Quality Assurance Commission charged physician Stephen R. Sears (MD00020357) with unprofessional conduct. Sears allegedly prescribed controlled substances to himself and asked a patient to divert a controlled substance.

In June 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Shannon M. Stephens to practice as a registered nurse (RN00123727). Her license is placed on probation for five years and she must comply with terms and conditions.

Thurston County
In June 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Wayne E. Garrett (MD00005212) with unprofessional conduct. Garrett allegedly failed to keep proper patient records on two patients while prescribing them controlled substances for extended periods.

In June 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Stacey Loewen-Hays (RN00148268) with professional misconduct. She allegedly took a variety of controlled substances from a hospital supply for her own use.

Whatcom County
In June 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Nancy J. Rainford (CA00007395) with unprofessional conduct. Rainford failed to disclose previous felony and misdemeanor convictions on her credential application.

Yakima County
In June 2005 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Susan Oakes (LP00043867) with unprofessional conduct. Oakes allegedly used a false social security number on her license application and identified herself as a registered nurse and worked as a registered nurse without holding a license.

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.)

Georgia: In June 2005 the Medical Commission reinstated the license of David. D. Blaney, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00029788). Blaney?s license is placed on probation and he must comply with terms and conditions.

Idaho: In June 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged Jason J. Jungert, a pharmacist licensed in Washington (PH00039062), with unprofessional conduct. In 2004 Jungert?s pharmacist license was suspended in Idaho.

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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