For immediate release: December 26, 2006 (06-211)

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 Nursing Commission suspended the license of Charmaine M. Garner, a registered nurse licensed in Washington (RN00139503). In June 2006 Garner voluntarily surrendered her nursing license to the Arizona State Board of Nursing. She is prohibited from practicing nursing in Arizona for five years.

In December 2006 the Medical Commission suspended the license of physician Larry L. Bosley (MD00005274). In August 2005 he surrendered his Nebraska license in lieu of disciplinary action and is prohibited from practicing in that state.

In November 2006 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of nursing assistant Akeeia N. Hicks (NA00184061). She failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.

In November 2006 the Department of Health suspended the credential of nursing assistant Bernardo Rodrigo Manangan (NC10000086). He failed to comply with a child support order.

In November 2006 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the license of physician Martha G. Panitch (MD00030175). She provided substandard treatment to patients.

In November 2006 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of registered nurse Dale A. Neel (RN00058943) for five years. In March 2006, Neel’s license was immediately suspended for engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with four clients during massage sessions.

In December 2006 the Dental Commission suspended the license of dentist Florian Thompson (DE00007249) for five years. He must also pay a $15,000 fine. His Massachusetts license is revoked on findings of fraud and dishonesty. He also misrepresented the status of his Washington license when he tried to get the Massachusetts license reinstated. Thompson’s Washington license had been summarily suspended in October 2006 pending hearing.

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