For immediate release: October 14, 2005 (05-133)

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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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 September 2005 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged April S. Shipowick, a licensed mental health counselor (LH00006835), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly violated professional/client boundaries by dating a client.

In September 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Diane K. Fountain (RC00022409) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include violating the standard of care, violating confidentiality and having dual relationships while treating couples.

In September 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant Christine E. Grotting (HC00141837) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used several doctors’ names and DEA numbers without authorization to obtain prescriptions for controlled substances.

In September 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Nancy J. Hosko-Leigh, a licensed practical nurse (LP00047037), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly has a history of arrests for using marijuana and methamphetamine.

In September 2005 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs charged Paul A. Ortega, a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00001167, RC00017328), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include failing to maintain progress notes or document services provided to clients.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Sasha E. Slayton, a registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner (RN00044825, AP30001383), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include failing to document administering medication to patients and/or wastage of medication and documenting administration of medications when the drugs were not administered.

In September 2005 the Dispensing Optician Program charged Pascal Tran, a dispensing optician apprentice (DT10005610), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly performed optician tasks prior to becoming an apprentice.

In September 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program withdrew a statement of charges against nursing assistant Jalali J. Whitten (NC10049136).

In September 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged Darrin E. Lambert, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00006841), with unprofessional conduct. He has several criminal convictions, including theft, driving with a suspended license, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, driving under the influence and hit and run.

In September 2005 the Nursing Commission entered into an Agreed Order with Lynn D. Farrell, a licensed practical nurse (LP00020690). She agrees to comply with terms and conditions. Farrell contacted pharmacies to obtain prescriptions and refills for controlled substances without physician authorization.

In September 2005 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery placed the license of Thomas R. Cooke, an osteopathic physician and surgeon (OP00000823), on probation for one year. He must comply with terms and conditions, including paying a $2,000 fine. He failed to follow up on a patient’s chest x-ray.

In September 2005 the Registered Counselor Program issued a statement of charges against Michele A. Benedict, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007574). She is being charged with unprofessional conduct for being convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful use of a building for drug purposes.

In September 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of Joseph K. Myrick to practice as a chemical dependency professional (CA00005098). He must comply with terms and conditions. Myrick’s registration to practice as a registered counselor was previously granted with restrictions for five years.

In September 2005 the Chiropractic Commission amended a statement of charges against chiropractor Burl R. Pettibon (CH00000551). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly practicing as a chiropractor for five years while his license was expired.

In August 2005 the Dental Commission charged dentist David Aronowitz (DE00008824) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided substandard treatment to a patient.

In September 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Serina R.J. Newman (NC10017840) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly practiced beyond the scope of practice and failed to keep a current address on file.

In September 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Elzbieta E. Archibald, a licensed practical nurse (LP000040513), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include failing to document administration of a controlled substances on patients’ charts and failing to administer medications as prescribed.

In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist order against David Enge. He operated a dispensing optician business in Edmonds and allegedly prepared and fitted lenses and eyeglasses for patients for several years after his dispensing optician license expired in 1999.

In September 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Ruby O. Klaus to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00038711). She may not reapply for three years. Klaus was convicted of violating an anti-harassment order and driving under the influence.

In August 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Gerald N. Mamishian (PH00009592) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly filled a prescription with the wrong medication, mislabeled the medication and failed to counsel the patient regarding the prescription.

In September 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Judy Springel (RN00145439) with unprofessional conduct. Springer allegedly operated a permanent makeup business where her husband provided medical supervision and administered drugs. Her husband’s medical license has been suspended since 2002.

(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 September 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Dewayne O. Williams (NC10052564) with unprofessional conduct. He has several criminal convictions, including theft, attempted unlawful issuance of bank checks, obstructing a public officer and violating a no-contact order.

Montana: In September 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Nichole E. Nichols, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00144363), with unprofessional conduct. The Montana Board of Nursing summarily suspended her nursing license in Montana.

Oregon: In September 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Cynthia M. Dove, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00144709), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted controlled substances from her workplace for non-therapeutic use and used controlled substances while on duty.

Oregon: In September 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged Anne M. Westrup, a chemical dependency professional certified in Washington (CP00002392), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly misused alcohol and controlled substances.

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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