For immediate release: December 5, 2006 (06-201)

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 revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

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’s 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.

(A new law that went into effect in June 2006 requires the department to immediately suspend health care providers who have been banned from practicing in other states.)

In November 2006 the Medical Commission immediately suspended the license of Ralph E. Adams from practicing as a physician in Washington (MD00016988). In April 2006 he surrendered his license to practice as a physician in Oregon in lieu of other discipline. He committed unprofessional conduct through repeated acts of negligence.

In October 2006 the Nursing Commission summarily suspended the license of Dena G. Garcia, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00151631), on charges of unprofessional conduct. Her license to practice nurse in Arizona was revoked in July 2006.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the license of Thomas D. Herwick from practicing as a registered nurse in Washington (RN00114587). In March 2005 Herwick voluntarily surrendered his license to practice nursing in Alaska.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the license of Scott F. Koyen from practicing as a registered nurse in Washington (RN00146382). In September 2004 he voluntarily surrendered his license to practice nursing in Nevada. Koyen diverted controlled substances from his workplace for personal use or unauthorized use.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission revoked the license of Debbie L. Jones, a licensed practical nurse (LP00029489), for 10 years. Jones presented false documentation to a prospective employer indicating she renewed her license when it had actually expired.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of Jennene M. Hopkins, a pharmacy technician (VA00014362), for 10 years. She diverted controlled substances from her workplace and was convicted of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and theft.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of Sandra K. Cramer, a pharmacy technician (VA00043576), for 10 years. She diverted controlled substances from her workplace and was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs indefinitely suspended the credentials of Sixto J. Vargas, Jr., a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor (CP00002643, RC00018241). He pled guilty to public indecency.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of nursing assistant Leah Ayoung (NA00138289). When submitting her application for registration, she used a deceased person’s social security number.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission revoked the license of Thomas J. Cushing, a licensed practical nurse (LP00042643), for 10 years. He was convicted of three counts of indecent liberties.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of Natalie D. Hagen, a pharmacy technician (VA00051874), for 10 years. Hagen diverted controlled substances from her workplace for her own use and distribution to others.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the registration of Kahlin L. Kelley, a pharmacy assistant (VB00048717). She received controlled substances, without a prescription, from a co-worker.

In October 2006 the Massage Program entered and Agreed Order with massage practitioner Gary T. Kiyonaga (MA00015721). He agrees to surrender his license and not practice massage in Washington. Kiyonaga touched a patient’s genitals.

In November 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Victor Larson. He must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of counseling. He provided counseling services to several clients for a fee.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the registration of Michelle M. Roberts, a pharmacy assistant (VB00060368), for 10 years. She received a controlled substance from her coworkers; she did not have a prescription.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of registered nurse Julie Totzek-Denison (RN00052243) for 18 months. She is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs revoked the credentials of Turff, a registered counselor (RC00011678) and chemical dependency professional (CP00001256), for 10 years. Turff provided substandard care and kept inadequate records.

In November 2006 the Respiratory Care Program revoked the license of Gary Reams, a respiratory technician (LR00000830), for five years. Reams struck an 85-year-old patient in the face with a closed fist, rendering him unconscious. He also refused to give pain medication to another patient. Reams’ license to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00016503) is also revoked.

In October 2006 the Registered Counselor Program indefinitely suspended the credential of registered counselor Kimberly A. Brown (RC00041728). She admitted to misuse of alcohol on numerous occasions.

In November 2006 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order against Miranda Gillis. She must immediately stop the unlicensed practice of dentistry. While working as a dental assistant, Gillis performed duties beyond her scope of practice.

In November 2006 the Occupational Therapist Board indefinitely suspended the license of occupational therapist Sally Jacky (OT00000476). She was an employee of a public school district and providing special education services to students. She yelled at and slapped children.

In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of pharmacy technician Kimberly D. Johnson (VA00041815) for 10 years. She shared a prescription with a co-worker.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission revoked the license of registered nurse Lisa K. Bailey (RN00102788) for five years. She practiced as a registered nurse while her license was suspended. She also altered her license to reflect an active license.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the credential of nursing assistant Patricia J. Dorsey (NA00177778) for five years. She took money orders belonging to a client, without the client’s permission, and attempted to cash them.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program revoked the registration of Richard W. Bono, a registered counselor (RC00030793), for five years. Bono crossed professional boundaries with a client. Richard W. Bono is also known as Jessey Pagano and Sara Pagano.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the credential of nursing assistant Dawn R. DuBouch (NA00034322) for 10 years. She failed to comply with terms and conditions against her credential and stole a patient’s wedding ring and pawned it.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the certification of nursing assistant Maria Norma Zerby (NC10085598) for five years. She left a patient to lie in his feces for several hours and wrapped the patient’s emergency cord around a nightstand, making the patient unable to call for help.

California: In October 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the registration of Alecia A. Sutter, a pharmacy assistant licensed in Washington (VB00058784), for 10 years. She diverted various controlled substances from her place of employment.

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