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For immediate release: March 7, 2006 (06-037)
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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.
The department’s Health Professions Quality Assurance Office works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for 57 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency Web site. Click on "Provider Credential Search" on the left hand side of the home page (www.doh.wa.gov). 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 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Benton
Chelan
Grant
Island
King
Kitsap
Pierce
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Yakima
Out of State
In February 2006 the Medical Commission entered a Final Order against physician Stephen L. Smith (MD00019257). He must comply with terms and conditions, including taking a course and paying a $5000 fine. Smith’s treatment of a patient demonstrated a lack of clinical-medical knowledge essential to give a diagnosis.
In February 2006 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program placed the license of Erik N. Brancht, a licensed mental health counselor (LH00007519), on a stayed suspension for three years. He must comply with terms and conditions, including completing continuing education and coursework. Brancht began a personal relationship with a client.
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Brian E. Reese (RC00031977) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly forged a client’s checks and withdrew money from the client’s account.
In February 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Tiffanie A. Collins (NA00112392) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted medication from a patient and was convicted of theft.
In February 2006 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged Roberta A. Banks, a licensed mental health counselor (LH00004812), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include failing to recognize signs of autism in a patient and persistently opposing outside testing and assessment, resulting in a delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment of the patient.
In February 2006 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Cheryl Boyd to practice as a registered nurse (RN00128956). Her license is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. In 1999 the commission entered an Agreed Order with Boyd and her license was suspended.
In February 2006 the Nursing Commission charged Judith Derby, a registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner (RN00062299, AP30004581), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with prior limitations against her credentials.
In February 2006 the Licensed Social Worker Counselor Program charged social worker Janis D. Knight (LW00006724) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly crossed professional boundaries with a client, including having sexual contact.
In February 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program modified an Agreed Order with Dongfang Li to permit payment of a fine in installments. In December 2005 the program entered a Final order with Li for the unlicensed practice of massage.
In February 2006 the Massage Program withdrew a statement of charges against Craig S. Martindale, a massage practitioner (MA00019191).
In February 2006 the Nursing Commission charged Daniel A Spiewak, a licensed practical nurse (LP00030392), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In January 2006 the Dental Commission charged dentist Hamidreza Barakhshan (DE00009257) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided treatment that fell below standard.
In February 2006 the Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Board placed the license of David Z. Levine on a stayed suspension. He must comply with terms and conditions including paying a $3,000 fine. Levine failed to comply with the terms and conditions of an order against his license.
In February 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Lazandrei B. Pantig, a pharmacy technician (VA00049280), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly stole money belonging to a staff member.
In February 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Carol R. Tonge, a pharmacy technician (VA00013398), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted controlled substances from her workplace.
In February 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program amended a statement of charges against nursing assistant Dolores L. Chandler (NC10062939). She is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly taking money from a patient without permission. She has been placed on the OBRA Nurse Assistant Registry and she may not be employed in any positions that involve the care of vulnerable adults.
In February 2006 the Nursing Commission charged Karen Green, a licensed practical nurse (LP00052319), with unprofessional conduct. Green allegedly noted on a patient’s chart that she had changed the patient’s bandages when she had failed to do so.
In February 2006 the Medical Commission charged physician James H. Greene (MD00028865) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to perform appropriate diagnostics, failed to maintain records and performed services that were not up to standard.
In February 2006 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Mark D. Henry (LH00006517) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include billing for services without seeing clients, double-billing and billing for services provided to ineligible clients.
In January 2006 the Medical Commission charged physician Susan S. Predmore (MD00026814) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
In February 2006 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged Gregory E. Pritchett, a mental health counselor (LH00004046), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor Program modified an Agreed Order with Damon G. Overby (RC00051332). He was granted an extension of time to complete a required ethics course.
In February 2006 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor Programs withdrew a statement of charges against Kay L. Heinrich, a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00002453, RC00023158).
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Lonna M. Hughes (RC00041756) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of two counts of unlawful delivery of a controlled substance. Hughes has applied to reactivate her expired registration.
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Wayne E. Kritsberg (RC00015918) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly had a sexual relationship with a client.
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Richard G. Buscher, a registered counselor (RC00050087), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include making advances to a client and abusing alcohol.
In February 2006 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs charged James Cunningham, a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00002423, RC00034287), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly crossed professional boundaries 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.)
Nevada: In February 2006 the Dental Commission charged Anthony J. LaMancusa, a dentist licensed in Washington (DE00007478), with unprofessional conduct. The Nevada Board imposed restrictions on his Nevada dental 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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