|
|
|
| You are here: DOH Home » News Releases Home » 05-149 |
For immediate release: November 9, 2005 (05-144)
Contact:
Media inquiries: Deanna Whitman,
Communications Office (360) 236-4022
Public inquiries: Health Professions Customer Service (360) 236-4700
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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.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. 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 October 2005 the Denturist Program charged denturist George A. Payne (DN00000129) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided services that fell below standard.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission released physician Gordon D. Gardner (MD00019833) from an Agreed Order.
In October 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged Jeannette M. Richards, a pharmacy assistant (VB00049496), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted a controlled substance from her workplace for her own use and/or distribution to another person.
In October 2005 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Thomas S. Saeman (CH00003188) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly billed for services not provided or not documented.
In October 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Richard C. Bowler. He allegedly provided counseling services to numerous patients, including hypnotherapy services, after his hypnotherapy license expired in 2004.
In October 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Bettie A. Alexander, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00041649), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of assault, theft and unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
In October 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Lavenia D. Anderson, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00041310), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of several counts of theft.
In October 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Diana Brown. She allegedly advertised offering of healing services for horses with physical problems, provided treatment to animals for a fee and provided treatment to human patients. Brown has never held a credential to practice as a health care professional in Washington.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Michael A. Brown (MD00025370) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to cooperate with the disciplining authority during an investigation.
In October 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Dawn M. Eastman, a licensed practical nurse (LP00047314), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted controlled substances from her workplace for self use.
In October 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Ritchie H. Garcia to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00039489). He may not reapply until he is able to provide a valid picture identification and social security card. Garcia listed an invalid social security number on his application.
In July 2005 the Medical Commission charged Jeffry R. Gorumba, a physician assistant (PA10004239), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include using a patient’s narcotic pain medication and injecting it into himself.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Michael E. Greer (MD00019765) on a stayed suspension for five years. His practice is limited and he must comply with terms and conditions. Greer failed to comply with prior limitations placed against his license, provided treatments without medical justification and failed to prudently manage a patient’s labor and delivery.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Martha G. Panitch (MD00030175) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include writing escalating opiod medication prescriptions for patients without seeing them and without justification, prescribing high doses of opiods for lengthy periods, providing large amounts of opiods to a minor and failing to consider the patients’ histories of drug use.
In October 2005 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Joyce P. Berry (LH00003896) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly divulged health care information regarding a client to another person without authorization.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission reinstated the license of Leonard H. Albert to practice as a physician and surgeon (MD0015840).
In August 2005 the Dental Commission charged dentist Sanford G. Steinman (DE00004006) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided treatment that failed to meet the standard of care.
In September 2005 the Dental Commission charged dentist James G. Cool (DE00005239) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided services that fell below the standard.
In August 2005 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian Robert A. Wright (VT00003356) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly practiced veterinary medicine while his license was expired.
In October 2005 the Pharmacy Board amended a statement of charges against pharmacist Kimberly Shuman (PH00021289). She is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly testing positive for controlled substances that she did not have a valid prescription for.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Santosa Ho (MD00032254) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Ho include failing to adequately diagnose and provide medical management to a patient who later died.
In October 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Heidi S. Rendall (MD00019337) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include failing to lock and/or secure medication samples within her workplace, having a relationship with a patient and failing to refer a patient for appropriate consultation and/or testing.
In October 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Ladonna D. Black, an applicant to practice as a licensed practical nurse (CA00017577), with unprofessional conduct. In February 2003 the Montana Board of Nursing indefinitely suspended Black’s Montana nursing license.
In October 2005 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Lisa L. Judkins to practice as a registered counselor (RC00030257). Her registration will be placed on probation for three years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Judkins pled guilty to residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and obtaining a signature by duress or deception. Lisa L. Judkins is also known as Lisa L. McCarthy.
In October 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged Robert M. Barth, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007625), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of possession of stolen property, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and assault.
(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.)
Nebraska: In October 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged Todd D. Ahlers, an applicant to practice as a pharmacy intern in Washington (CA00060354), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of driving under the influence and minor in possession of alcohol.
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.
###
DOH Home | Access Washington | Privacy Notice | Disclaimer/Copyright Information
 |
Contact Information for the Department of Health Last
Update :
12/18/2006 11:08 AM
|