For immediate release: April 2, 2007 (07-039)

Contact:
 Media inquiries: Jeff Smith, Communications Office  360-236-4072
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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.

Chelan County

In March 2007 the Denturist Program reinstated the license of denturist George A. Payne (DN00000129).

Clark County

In January 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Christina L. Cannizzaro (CA00007062) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly had a sexual relationship with a patient, offered a colleague prescription medication not prescribed for the person, and failed to comply with conditions on her license.

In February 2007 the Medical Commission reprimanded physician Robert W. Goodwin (MD00018228) for improperly prescribing narcotic pain medication to a patient. He was also required to take additional training in prescribing and fined $2,500.

In February 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant reactivation candidate Wendy Kondro (NC10077515) with unprofessional conduct. Kondro was convicted of assault – domestic violence and malicious mischief.  

In February 2007 the Nursing Commission vacated a summary suspension against the license of registered nurse Scott F. Koyen (RN00146382).  He can practice pending resolution of a statement of charges.

In March 2007 the Board of Pharmacy charged pharmacy assistant applicant Matthew O. Losada (CA00064152) with unprofessional conduct. Losada was convicted of driving under the influence, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving with a suspended license on four occasions. 

In March 2007 the Medical Commission granted the request for termination of commission order of Huong T. Luu (MD00030582), a medical physician. 

Island County

In March 2007 the Board of Pharmacy placed the license of pharmacist Janet L. Saulie (PH00020957) on probation for one year. She must comply with terms and conditions.  Saulie mislabeled a prescription and the wrong patient received the medication. 

King County

In February 2007 the Respiratory Care Program charged Kathy Benson (LR00000973), a respiratory therapist, with unprofessional conduct. Benson allegedly tested positive for drugs. 

In March 2007 the Sex Offender Treatment Provider Program reinstated the credential of sex offender treatment provider Stuart E. Brown (FC00000014).

In March 2007 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Thomas A. Goodwin (CH00001943) with unprofessional conduct. Goodwin has allegedly practiced with a suspended license and failed to comply with terms and conditions against his license from a prior agreed order. 

In February 2007 the Heath Care Assistants Program charged heath care assistant applicant Alice A. Krause (CA00013823) with unprofessional conduct. Krause’s license to practice as a licensed practical nurse was suspended indefinitely in October 1998.

In March 2007 the License Social Worker Counselor Program charged licensed social worker Stephanie Mardahl (LW00004311) with unprofessional conduct. Mardahl allegedly failed to provide records pertaining to a complaint against her license.

In March 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of nursing assistant Monica E. Middleton (NC10035824). 

In March 2007 the Board of Physical Therapy withdrew a statement of charges against physical therapist Kris D. Schmidt (PT00007210). 

Pierce County

In March 2007 the Board of Pharmacy reinstated the license of pharmacist David Buchanan (PH00017732).

In March 2007 the Massage Program charged massage therapist applicant Nicole L. Castro (CA00008552) with unprofessional conduct. Castro allegedly failed to comply with prior terms and conditions against her license.

In February 2007 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to Issue Cease and Desist Order against Paul Gohranson. He allegedly advertised himself as a massage practitioner. Gohranson is not a licensed massage therapist.

In March 2007 the Board of Pharmacy reinstated the license of Hugh Gossman (PH00003321), a licensed pharmacist.

In March 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Joy A. Herman (CA00008403) with unprofessional conduct. Herman was convicted of vehicle prowling and six counts of forgery. 

In March 2007 the Counselor Program reinstated the credential of Kimberli S. Kibler (RC00034184), a registered counselor.

In March 2007 the Registered Counselor Program withdrew a statement of charges against registered counselor applicant Michael L. Nye (CA00008455).

In March 2007 the Board of Pharmacy placed the license of Rebecca G. Turk (VA00040637), a pharmacy technician, on probation for five years. She must comply with terms and conditions.  She diverted drugs from her place of employment for her own use and was also convicted of theft. She is also known as Rebecca G. Roberts.    

Snohomish County

In March 2007 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to Issue Cease and Desist Order against Laura Cooper. She allegedly offered massage services and advertised herself as a massage practitioner. Cooper is not a licensed massage therapist.

In March 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of nursing assistant Linde Marrie Smith (NC10053422).

In March 2007 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Mike S. Weyerts (LP00045434), a licensed practical nurse.  

Spokane County

In March 2007 the Medical Commission charged medical physician Karen K. Ahlstrom (MD00039605) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include having a sexual relationship with a patient and prescribing medications without documenting the prescriptions in the patient’s medical record. 

In March 2007 the Health Care Assistant Program and the X-Ray Technician Program charged Ricci S. Bailey (HC00142997 and XT00005109), a licensed x-ray technician and health care assistant, with unprofessional conduct. Bailey allegedly called in four prescriptions for controlled substances for her own use without the consent or knowledge of the physician whose name she gave.

In February 2007 the Medical Commission granted the request for termination of commission order of medical physician George R. Lindholm (MD00016125).

Snohomish County

In February 2007 the Board of Psychology placed the license of psychologist Kenneth Nichols-Hoppe (PY00001028) under terms and conditions for 24 months. Nichols-Hoppe failed to maintain professional boundaries with two patients and provided care beneath state standards.

Thurston County

In March 2007 the Registered Counseling Program denied the reactivation application of registered counselor Lynne M. Zimmer (RC00038865). Zimmer cannot reapply for 5 years. She was convicted of identity theft and two counts of forgery. 

Yakima County

In February 2007 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine reinstated the license of osteopathic physician James R. Keene (OP00001639). 

In March 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged Lori L. Montez (CA00008795), a registered counselor applicant, with unprofessional conduct. Her registered nursing assistant renewal (NA00029786) was denied in December 2003 because of a criminal conviction.

Out of State

Canada: In March 2007 the Denturist Board withdrew a statement of charges against licensed denturist Jaro Wojcicky (DN00000262.

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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