For immediate release: October 24, 2006 (06-168)

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

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Jennene M. Hopkins, a pharmacy technician (VA00014362), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted numerous controlled substances from her workplace. She was convicted of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and theft.

In October 2006 the Massage Program charged Russell R. Turpin, an applicant to practice as a massage practitioner (CA00008666), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of theft and court-ordered to serve time in jail when he did not comply with the criminal sentence.

In October 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Eli A. Bouchea (RC00020663) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include misrepresenting her academic credentials or education.

In October 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Jason E. Grubbs to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00044769). He may not reapply for three years. Grubbs was convicted of criminal trespass and theft and denied the convictions on his application.

In October 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Leah Ayoung (NA00138289) with unprofessional conduct. On her application, she allegedly used some else’s social security number.

In September 2006 the Dental Commission amended a Final Order against dentist Jeffrey A. Burgess (DE00004321). His license has been revoked for five years for sexual misconduct and he must pay a $25,000 fine.

In September 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Mona Burgess. She allegedly represented herself as having a nursing assistant certification although it had expired years prior.

In October 2006 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Angela D. Butler, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant (CA00013050), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of forgery.

In October 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Lamiko Q. Franklin to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00046245). She may not reapply for five years. Franklin was convicted of possessing stolen property.

In October 2006 the Medical Commission charged physician Larry L. Kovachevich (MD00025067) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to cooperate with the commission.

In October 2006 the Health Care Assistant and Nursing Assistant Programs charged Leah R. McCray, a health care assistant and nursing assistant (HC00142705, NA00153907), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include using a patient’s credit card and checks to make payments on her personal bills and withdrawing approximately $4,000 from the patient’s account.

In October 2006 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Petra Murdoch (MA00019198) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly practiced massage without a valid license and failed to comply with an order imposing restrictions on her license.

In October 2006 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Jose Suarez to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007638). He may not reapply for five years. Suarez has numerous criminal convictions, including possession of cocaine and stolen property.

In October 2006 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor Programs charged Turff, a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00001256, RC00011678), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include providing services that failed to meet the standard of care. Turff is also known as James C. Turff.

In October 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of Korina S. Veetutu to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10029886).

In October 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Mike Gose (RC00001701) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include violating the standard of care and failing to maintain records of sessions he had with clients.

In September 2006 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs charged Clarence F. Farmer, a registered counselor and applicant to practice as a chemical dependency professional (RC00050383, CA00005381), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of possessing a controlled substance.

In September 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Angela M. Severson, a pharmacy technician (VA00045966), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted a controlled substance from her workplace. She was arrested and charged with unlawful possession of controlled substance.

In September 2006 the Licensed Social Worker Counselor Program charged Michael K. Strub, a social worker counselor (LW00004263), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include failing to meet the standard of care.

In September 2006 the Denturist Board charged denturist Jaro Wojcicky (DN00000262) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly submitted bills for services performed by a dentist with an expired license.

In September 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Richard A. Lester. He allegedly provided chiropractic treatment to patients; he is not licensed to practice as a chiropractor.

In September 2006 the Veterinary Board placed the license of Julia A. Leese (VT00005168) on a stayed suspension for five years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Leese aided and abetted in the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine, failed to examine a patient prior to delegating treatment and failed to provide direct supervision of an unregistered assistant.

In October 2006 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Sharon I. Thomas to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008341). Her credential is placed on probation for three years and she must comply with terms and condition. Thomas was convicted of forgery and theft.

In October 2006 the Nursing Commission charged Kathleen Hardcastle, a licensed practical nurse (LP00028920), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with terms and conditions against her license. Kathleen Hardcastle is also known as Kathleen Hardcastle-Aleck.

In September 2006 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged Craig L. Gilley, a mental health counselor (LH00003826), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include practicing beyond his scope of practice by performing acupressure to a client.

Florida: In October 2006 the Medical Commission charged Youssef W. Guergues, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00032344), with unprofessional conduct. The Florida State Department of Health reprimanded and imposed sanctions on Guergues in 2005.

Oregon: In October 2006 the Dental Commission charged Daniel B. Baldridge, a dentist licensed in Washington (DE00009159), with unprofessional conduct. His dental license is on probation in the state of Florida.

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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