For immediate release: August 25, 2005 (05-108)

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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Kristen Gibson (LP00016394) with unprofessional conduct. Gibson allegedly took a variety of controlled substances from her workplace for her personal use.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Katrina L. Rodregeus to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007422). Her registration is placed on a stayed suspension for three years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Rodregeus was convicted of abandoning a dependent person.

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the reactivation request of Valerie J. Spears to practice as a nursing assistant (NA00127586). Her registration is placed on probation for two years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Spears was convicted of three counts of assault.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Diane R. Washam (LP00048788) with unprofessional conduct. Washam’s Florida license was allegedly suspended after she worked under the influence of alcohol.

In July 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Erika C. Adams, a health care assistant (HC00142228), with unprofessional conduct. Her nursing assistant certification was revoked for five years for failing to comply with an order.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged Eric R. Daniels, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007190), with unprofessional conduct. He was found guilty of robbery.

In July 2005 the Examining Board of Psychology charged psychologist Philip A. Hirsch (PY00001117) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to cooperate with an investigation regarding whether he practiced while his license was expired.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Terry B. Hogan with unprofessional conduct. Hogan allegedly concealed a variety of gross misdemeanor convictions on his application.

In June 2005 the Dispensing Optician Program charged optician apprentice Melissa D. Mayer (DT10005273 and DT10004025) with unprofessional conduct. Mayer allegedly practiced as an optician apprentice without a valid registration, practiced as an optician apprentice without a supervisor and represented herself as an optician. Melissa D. Mayer is also known as Melissa D. Knapp.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Lazaro I. Nicia to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007208). He may not reapply for three yeas. Nicia was convicted of hit and run, harassment and assault.

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Karin B. Robles to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00040625). She must meet certain conditions before she reapplies. Robles certification to practice as a pharmacy technician was surrendered in 2004 based on drug use issues.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Susan L. Villarreal (RN00130628) with unprofessional conduct. Villarreal allegedly failed to comply with terms and conditions of a previous order.

In July 2005 the Chiropractic Commission suspended the license of chiropractor Keith D. Walker (CH00034061) for five years. The suspension will be stayed after six months provided Walker meets all terms of a stipulated agreement. He provided treatment to patients while his license was expired and failed to comply with a prior order that required notification to female patients.

In July 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Mary L. Maddox. While employed in Seattle, she allegedly conducted blood draws and injections on patients without holding a health care provider credential.

In July 2005 the Chemical Dependency Program charged Joseph K. Myrick, chemical dependency professional applicant (CA00005098), with unprofessional conduct. Myrick’s registered counselor registration is subject to restrictions.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Diane L. Sarno (RN00121639) with unprofessional conduct. Sarno allegedly took a variety of controlled substances from her workplace for her personal use.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Dana Lynn Ward (RN00116287) with unprofessional conduct. Ward allegedly took a variety of controlled substances from her workplace for her personal use and worked while chemically impaired.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission denied the application for license reactivation for licensed practical nurse Melinda A. Patten (LP00038798). She may not reapply for five years. Patten was convicted of a variety of crimes between 2001 and 2003.

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Mathew G. Skews (NC10010443) with unprofessional conduct. Skews allegedly failed to comply with prior terms and conditions placed against his certification.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application for license reactivation for registered counselor Lisa L. Judkins (RC00030257). She may not reapply for three years. Judkins, also known as Lisa L. McCarthy, was convicted of a variety of gross misdemeanors and felonies between 1993 and 2003.

In July 2005 the X-Ray Technician Program denied the application of Renae M. Montes to practice as an x-ray technician (CA00001394). She failed to disclose her criminal history. Montes may not apply again for three years.

In July 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the license application of health care assistant candidate Kathy R. Caldwell (CA00009920) for unprofessional conduct. Caldwell cannot apply for a license for two years. Caldwell failed to disclose prior felony and gross misdemeanor convictions on her application.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Winona C. Boxberger to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007166). Boxberger cannot apply again for licensing for one year. She has previous felony convictions for forgery.

In July 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Max R. Strait (PH00009326) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly diverted a controlled substance from his workplace.

(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 July 2004 the Medical Commission placed the license of John E. Nees, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00019699), on probation for approximately four months. His license may then be placed on a stayed suspension provided he complies with terms and conditions. Nees failed to comply with requirements from a prior order.

Kansas: In July 2005 the Board of Physical Therapy denied the application of Joseph W. Foecking to practice as a physical therapist in Washington (CA0004566). He may not reapply for one year. Although Foecking is not licensed, he performed physical therapy services and represented himself as a licensed physical therapist in Washington.

Oregon: The Chiropractic Commission reactivated the license for chiropractor Robert W. Sainz (CH00001627) to practice in Washington. His license is placed on probation for five years and he must comply with terms and conditions. When he applied for reactivation, he concealed that the Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners denied him a license to practice in Oregon because he practiced without a license.

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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