For immediate release: December 11, 2006 (06-203)

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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Alan D. Merrill, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008345), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of several counts of theft.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Laverna J. Rhodes to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10059327). She may not reapply for five years. Rhodes was convicted of violating a restraining order, burglary, forgery and several counts of theft.

In November 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Tierney N. Becho, a pharmacy technician (VA00022458), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include diverting controlled substances and stealing cash and merchandise from her workplace.

In November 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Mark F. Giffin, a pharmacy technician (VA00056748), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with a prior order.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Catherine E. Gormley, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008141), with unprofessional conduct. In March 2003 Gormley’s license to practice as a registered nurse was indefinitely suspended.

In November 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Ken A. Grant (PH00039004) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include allowing a child to put drugs away and deliver prescriptions to patients. He also allegedly dispensed a controlled substance without a prescription and filled a prescription he thought was altered.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Kimberly M. Jones, a nursing assistant (NC10080546), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly hit a patient.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of Charita R. Schiele to reactivate her expired license to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10040050). Her license is placed on probation for two years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Schiele was found guilty of attempted theft.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Lonnie B. Stephenson (NC10028295) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly rubbed lotion on the intimate parts of a patient’s body and crossed professional boundaries with a client.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Stevon L. Williams, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008346), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of reckless driving and several counts of theft.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Cathy J. Dennis to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00039360).

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Evette D. Swafford, a nursing assistant (NC10047716), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used a deceased patient’s debit card to make unauthorized purchases and forged and cashed a check belonging to another patient. Evette D. Swafford is also known as Evette Delores Batiste.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Dawn M. Winkes, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008073), with unprofessional conduct. She pled guilty to unlawful possession of a drug, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission granted the request of David S. Fish for reinstatement of his registered nursing license (PR00095793). His license is placed on probation for the limited purpose of enrolling in a refresher course and he must comply with terms and conditions.

In November 2006 the Optometry Board entered an Agreed Order with optometrist William S. Church (OD00000869). He agrees to terms and conditions, including paying a $2,000 fine. Church wrote a prescription for a patient that is not a drug an optometrist can prescribe.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the credential of nursing assistant Anthony A. Manzano (NC10057020) on probation for one year. Manzano must comply with terms and conditions. He was convicted of assault.

In November 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Jeffry L. Boughter, a pharmacy assistant (VB00044024), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly tested positive for a controlled substance during a random workplace urinalysis.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission charged Jennifer S. Sanders, an applicant to practice as a licensed practical nurse (CA00019497), with unprofessional conduct. In June 2005 her Louisiana nursing license was placed on probation for four years. Jennifer S. Sanders is also known as Jennifer S. Reynolds.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program charged Joel A. Forthman, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00008332), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of possessing methamphetamine and residential burglary domestic violence.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs charged Terena M. Fosberg, a registered counselor (RC00043857) and chemical dependency professional (CP00004758), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly crossed professional boundaries with clients. Terena M. Fosberg is also known as Terena M. Dassow.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission entered an Agreed Order with registered counselor Collette Matthews (RN00071064). She agrees to comply with terms and conditions. Matthews failed to comply with a prior order.

In November 2006 the Registered Counselor Program modified an Agreed Order with registered counselor Steven B. Wolff (RC00055571). He has been given additional time to pay a fine.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission placed the license of Brenda Kay Holden, a licensed practical nurse (LP00050415), on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions. Holden failed to adequately assess, document and/or report a patient’s leg fracture.

Arizona: In November 2006 the Nursing Commission withdrew a statement of charges against Alan Jackson, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00124636).

Montana: In November 2006 the Pharmacy Board charged Stella T. Romero, a pharmacy technician (VA00050017), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include calling in a prescription for herself and picking it up and paying for it.

New Mexico: In November 2006 the Nursing Commission reinstated the credential of William Winkler to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Washington (LP00043788).

Oregon: In November 2006 the Physical Therapy Board denied the application of Danielle R. Sutter to practice as a physical therapist in Washington (CA00004810). She may not reapply for 20 years. She was prohibited from ever applying for a professional license with Oregon’s Physical Therapist Licensing Board.

Utah: In November 2006 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Kimberly Baker to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Washington (LP00051659).

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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