State disciplines health care providers - 9/7/05 - Washington State Dept of Health

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

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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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

Clark County	Kitsap County	Snohomish County	Whatcom County
Island County	Kittitas County	Spokane County	Out of State
King County	Pierce County	Thurston County

In August 2005 the Pharmacy Board placed the license of pharmacist Victoria L. Tamis (PH00014262) on probation for one year. She must comply with terms and conditions. Tamis failed to properly check a medication that had been mixed by a technician, which resulted in the wrong strength medication being administered to a patient. The patient died from the drug.

In August 2005 the Pharmacy Board reinstated the license of Terry C. Thomas to practice as a pharmacist (PH00021826) and Korner Pharmacy to operate as a pharmacy (CF00055796).

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission modified an order against registered nurse Deanna Brakus (RN00070969), extending her probation period until 2007. The license for Brakus, also known as Deanna Schell, was placed on probation in 2003 for unprofessional conduct. She must comply with terms and conditions during the probation.

In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Mohammed N. Haji (NC10059118) with unprofessional conduct. Haji allegedly verbally abused a patient and deliberately stepped on the patient» s foot.

In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist order against Barbara Setters, Bellevue, for practicing medicine without a license. Setters allegedly offered and undertook to treat medical conditions including acute and chronic pain.

In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program Issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist order against Dongfang "Sophie" Li, for performing a massage without a license. Li allegedly performed a massage while employed at a spa in Redmond.

In August 2005 the Surgical Technologist Program charged Carlo Tobel, a surgical technologist (ST00001448), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with prior limitations against his registration.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Lynn D. Farrell, a licensed practical nurse (LP00020690), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include contacting pharmacies to authorize prescriptions and refills for controlled substances without physician authorization.

In August 2005 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Mary L. Ballard (MD00025316) on a stayed suspension for four years. She must comply with terms and conditions. She provided medical care to one of her employees, failed to keep progress notes of her treatment of the patient, failed to document physical exam findings of the patient and tried to interfere with the patient» s subsequent treatment.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission placed the license of Gloria J. Rhoads, a licensed practical nurse (LP00028475), on probation for five years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Rhoads called in prescriptions for a patient without a doctor» s authorization and then purchased the tablets from the patient for personal, non-therapeutic use.

In July 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program denied the application of Michelle R. Stewart to practice as a chemical dependency professional (CA00005144). She may not reapply for 10 years. In April 2005 Stewart» s credential to practice as a registered counselor was revoked.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Aaron P. Thompkins to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00041205).

In August 2005 the Pharmacy Board granted the application of Deon O. Boyd to practice as a pharmacy assistant (CA00058134). His registration will be placed on probation for three years and he must comply with terms and conditions. When he applied, he failed to disclose convictions for driving with a suspended license, malicious mischief and driving under the influence.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission denied the application of Jessica L. Hanna to practice as a registered nurse (CA00060622). She may not reapply for five years. Hanna was convicted of assault.

In August 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program withdrew a statement a charges against Corianne M. Bains, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant (CA00010241).

In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program amended charges against registered counselor Marc. D. Deavenport (RC00049871). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly failing to comply with terms and conditions of a prior order.

In August 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program reinstated the certification of George S. Hughes to practice as a health care assistant (HC00003164).

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Jackie K. Hughes with unprofessional conduct (NA00090388). Allegations against her include revealing confidential patient information and making false statements under penalty of perjury while testifying in court.

In August 2005 the Registered Counselor and Nursing Assistant Programs amended a statement of charges against Anthony Wayne Grant, a registered counselor and nursing assistant (RC00039211, NA00122839). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly developing a romantic relationship and having sexual contact with a client. Grant was found guilty of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes in the Pierce County Superior Court.

In August 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor Programs placed the credentials of Margaret M. Clark, a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00003531, RC00026541), on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Clark was unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety due to a physical or mental condition

In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Kathryn J. Faulkner to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007045). Her registration is placed on probation for three years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Faulkner was convicted of unlawfully possessing a controlled substance, with intent to deliver, in Whatcom County Superior Court.

In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the credential of Sheila A. Mendoza to practice as a nursing assistant (NA00113728).

(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.)

California: In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Dewayne O. Williams to practice as a registered counselor in Washington (CA00007069). He may not reapply for 10 years. Williams has several criminal convictions, including theft, attempted unlawful issuance of bank checks, obstructing a public officer and violation of a no-contact order.

Idaho: In August 2005 the Pharmacy Board denied the application of Carrie C. Furlong to practice as a pharmacy assistant in Washington (CA00058114). She may not reapply for two years. Furlong failed to disclose on her application that she was convicted of theft.

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.