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OLYMPIA • The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 September 2006 the Chiropractic Commission reinstated the license of William E. Gibbon to practice as a chiropractor (CH00001053).

In September 2006 the Dental Commission reinstated the license of Gary S. Gilbert to practice as a dentist (DE00003935).

In September 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Steven R. Tomlinson (PH00010612) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include appearing impaired and smelling of alcohol while at work and giving improper instructions to a patient on how to take a prescription.

In September 2006 the Medical Commission charged physician Richard A. Kirkpatrick (MD00015066) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include diagnosing and treating numerous patients without adequate clinical or laboratory evidence.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Kenneth P. Bray, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00045029), with unprofessional conduct. He failed to disclose convictions of assault and driving under the influence on his application.

In September 2006 the Massage Program placed the license of massage practitioner M. Esther Chandler (MA00016260) on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Chandler engaged in a bartering system with a client and had a sexual relationship with the client.

In September 2006 the Medical Commission charged physician James R. Irwin (MD00012703) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include providing treatment that failed to meet the standard of care.

In September 2006 the Hearing and Speech Board charged Jeff S. Johnson, a hearing instrument fitter/dispenser (HA00000686), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly placed false advertisements in newspapers.

In September 2006 the Hearing and Speech Board charged Donald L. Tucker, a hearing instrument fitter/dispenser (HA00000428), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly placed false advertisements in newspapers.

In September 2006 the Chiropractic Commission reinstated the license of John Babich to practice as a chiropractor (CH00002224).

In September 2006 the Psychology Board reinstated the license of Laura S. Brown to practice as a psychologist (PY00000615).

In September 2006 the Licensed Social Worker Counselor Program charged Jean C. Cook, a licensed social worker (LW00005818), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly provided services that failed to meet the accepted standard of practice.

In September 2006 the Psychology Board entered an Agreed Order with psychologist Bruce J. Leksa (PY00001102). The Agreed Order modified the terms and conditions of a prior order.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Calvin Lewis (NC10085843) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly had sex with a patient.

In Medical Commission reinstated the license of Jerry N. Mixon to practice as a physician (MD00023643).

In September 2006 the Dental Commission charged dentist Joseph Thurston (DE00004460). Allegations against him include failing to comply with prior orders and working while his license was suspended.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Yolanda E. Valdavinos (NC10071581) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of manslaughter. Yolanda E. Valdavinos is also known as Yolanda E. Devon.

In September 2006 the Medical Commission granted the request of physician Douglas L. Attig (MD00015578) to terminate a prior order. His license is reinstated without restriction.

In September 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Kimberly A. Brown (RC00041728) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly was impaired at work.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant and Respiratory Care Practitioner Programs charged Ty H. Buchanan, a nursing assistant and respiratory care practitioner (NA00178419, LR00000161), with unprofessional conduct. He was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance.

In September 2006 the Nursing Commission entered an Agreed Order with Karen S. Green, a licensed practical nurse (LP00052319). She agrees to comply with terms and conditions. Green charted she changed the dressing to a patient» s wound when she didn» t.

In September 2006 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program denied the application of Lorinda K. Conley for reactivation of her certification to practice as a chemical dependency professional (CP00003269). She failed to respond to an investigator regarding her criminal background check results.

In September 2006 the Dental Hygienist program entered an Agreed Order with dental hygienist Pamela K. Granahan (DH00005152). She must comply with terms and conditions. Granahan practiced as a dental hygienist without a valid license.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of Sherry L. Ratliffe to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10040855). Her certification is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions. Ratliffe stole prescriptions belonging to patients.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Patricia J. Dorsey (NA00177778) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly took money orders from a patient and attempted to cash them.

In September 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Sharon I. Thomas, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008341), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of forgery and theft.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Donna M. Clark (NC10013413) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of poisoning animals.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Dawn R. Dubouch (NA00034322) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly stole and pawned a patient» s wedding ring and failed to comply with terms and conditions against her credential.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Ronald W. Myers, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00045027), with unprofessional conduct. He was arrested on a charge of malicious mischief.

In September 2006 the Psychology Board placed the license of psychologist Jeffrey J. Startzel (PY00002609) on a stayed suspension for five years. He must comply with terms and conditions. Startzel had inappropriate contact with a client.

In September 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of Tanya L. Poirier to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10065449). Her certification is placed on probation and she must comply with terms and conditions.

Alaska: In September 2006 the Nursing Home Administrators Board charged Moe S. Chaudry, the nursing home administrator of a nursing home in Seattle (NH00001492), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against include failing to report incidents that occurred at the facility.

Tennessee: In September 2006 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Patricia Scott to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Washington (LP00043611).
 

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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