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For immediate release: September 20, 2005 (05-119)
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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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/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.
| Benton County | Clark County | Cowlitz County | Grant County |
| King County | Kitsap County | Pierce County | Snohomish County |
| Spokane County | Whatcom County | Yakima County | Out of State |
In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Charie E. Vargas-White (NC10063999) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program withdrew a statement of charges against registered counselor Kelly Y. Griffith (RC00041900).
In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Nakuma F. Hudak, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007251). He may not reapply for three years. Hudak was convicted of attempt to elude.
In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Michelle L. Vasquez (NA00152731) with unprofessional conduct. In 2004 the Arizona Board of Nursing revoked her license to practice as a nursing assistant in Arizona. Michelle L. Vasquez is also known as Michelle Bailey.
In August 2005 the Licensed Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs placed the credentials of Robert D. Dismore, a licensed counselor and chemical dependency professional (LH00003861, CP00002266), on a stayed suspension. He must comply with terms and conditions. Dismore crossed professional boundaries with a client.
In August 2005 the Massage Program charged massage therapist Craig S. Martindale (MA00019191) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include having inappropriate sexual contact with a patient.
In August 2005 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program modified an Agreed Order with Michelle D. Reynolds, a mental health counselor (LH00005289). She must continue to comply with terms and conditions.
In August 2005 the Health Care Assistant and X-Ray Technician Programs charged Yvonne C. Romine, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant and x-ray technician (CA00009984, CA00001371), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to disclose a driving under the influence conviction on her applications.
In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Jalali J. Whitten (NC10049136) with unprofessional conduct. Whitten allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In August 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Karl Sonnenberg to practice as a registered nurse (RN00133794). His license is subject to probationary terms. Sonnenberg had been suspended for diverting controlled substances for his own non-therapeutic use.
In August 2005 the Hypnotherapist Counselor Program charged Ross E. Anderson III, a hypnotherapist counselor (HP10001032) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided hypnotherapist counseling services after his certification was expired and crossed professional boundaries with a client.
In August 2005 the Medical Commission released physician Robert L. Caldwell (MD00032296) from an Agreed Order. He complied with all terms and conditions.
In August 2005 the Medical Commission entered an Agreed Order with physician Deborah Hammond (MD00025065). She agrees to comply with terms and conditions. Hammond failed to appropriately diagnose and follow up with a patient.
In August 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Patricia McLean to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00032865). Her license is placed on probation for 18 months and she must comply with terms and conditions. Her license had been suspended for having diverted a controlled substance from her workplace.
In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Carol L. Michell (NC10034526) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to disclose a conviction, violating a domestic violence order, on an application.
In August 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program entered into an Agreed Order with Janice L. Pepin, a chemical dependency professional (CP00001668). She agrees to comply with terms and conditions. While treating a patient, Pepin violated the standard of care and provided a patient with a controlled substance after the patient’s prescription expired.
In August 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Lynne J. Samuels, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant (CA00010444), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of several criminal offenses, including attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle and unlawful possession of a controlled substance. In 2001 Samuels’ registered nursing license was revoked for 10 years.
In August 2005 the Health Care Assistant and X-Ray Technician Programs reinstated the credentials of Kelly L. Hommertzheim to practice as an x-ray technician and health care assistant (XT00000618, HC00138098).
In August 2005 the Nursing Home Administrators Board withdrew a statement of charges against David L. Altenburg, a nursing home administrator (NH00001663).
In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of Stephanie E. Watson to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00039436). Her registration is placed on probation for one year and she must comply with terms and conditions. Watson was convicted of theft.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Donald Gerlick. He allegedly continued to practice as a chiropractor after his license was expired.
In August 2005 the Licensed Social Worker Program charged social worker Edie Crane (LW00007657) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly crossed professional grounds and had a sexual relationship with a client.
(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 August 2005 the Medical Commission entered into an Agreed Order with Norman S. Cohen, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00026267). He agrees to comply with terms and conditions. His Florida medical license was restricted after he dispensed to patients FDA unapproved products.
Tennessee: In August 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Patricia Scott to practice as a licensed practical in Washington (LP00043611). Her license is placed on probation for three years and she must comply with terms and conditions.Wisconsin: In August 2005 the Medical Commission entered into an Agreed Order with Shirley Y. Godiwalla, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00020943). She agrees her Washington medical license is restricted until she complies with the terms and conditions of an order issued by the Wisconsin Board.
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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