For immediate release: June 8, 2007 (07-090)

Contact:  Media inquiries: Allison Cook, Communications Office  360-236-4022
                Public inquiries: Health Professions Customer Service  360-236-4700

 State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 Department of Health 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.

Clark
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Okanogan
Pierce
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Whatcom

In May 2007 the Dispensing Optician Program charged dispensing optician apprentice Linda L. Cohen (DT10005710) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to respond to department inquiries during an investigation of a report that she practiced before being credentialed.

In May 2007 the Board of Pharmacy placed the license of pharmacist Jasmine T. Nguyen (PH00067943) on probation for five years. Nguyen misrepresented her professional status to a prospective employer to obtain a higher salary and sign-on bonus. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In May 2007 the Board of Podiatric Medicine charged podiatrist John H. Brunsman (PO00000246) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding a complaint against his license.

In May 2007 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged Jerry Carroll (CP00005166), a chemical dependency professional, with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly used legend drugs and did not have a prescription for them.

In May 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program amended the statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Elizabeth M. Gichuki (NC10084369). She allegedly left vulnerable adult clients unattended in a car and was convicted of reckless endangerment based on the incident.

In May 2007 the Dental Commission charged dentist Ashok A. Lalli (DE00005520) with unprofessional conduct. Lalli allegedly had sexual contact with patients, including kissing one patient and touching another patient’s breast.

In May 2007 the Board of Physical Therapy reinstated the license of physical therapist Margaret E. Metzger (PT00008148).

In May 2007 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant applicant Cheri A. Murphy (CA00012340) with unprofessional conduct. Murphy allegedly phoned in and picked up prescriptions of legend drugs using a nurse and a physician’s name. The physician and nurse allegedly had no knowledge of the prescriptions.

In May 2007 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor Programs reinstated the credentials of Jay R. Parker (CP00002951 and RC00031570), a chemical dependency professional and registered counselor.

In May 2007 the Chiropractic Commission charged Greg Pfiffner (CH00002939), a chiropractor, with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include having sexual relationships with two patients, billing a patient under his provider number when another chiropractor provided the treatment and using inaccurate and/or misleading billing codes to get paid by insurance companies that do not normally pay for the rendered services.

In May 2007 the Registered Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselors Program reinstated the license of registered counselor and licensed mental health counselor Joseph V. Raineri (RC00032954 and LH00007033).

In May 2007 the X-Ray Technician Program charged x-ray technician applicant Justin T. Arbury (CA00002131) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of assault.

In May 2007 the Dental Commission reinstated the license of dentist Eugene Choy (DE00004607).

In May 2007 the Dental Commission reinstated the license of dentist Richard Guzha (DE00008246).

In May 2007 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of registered counselor applicant Kim J. Lake (RC00057164) and placed her license on probation for three years. Lake

was convicted of identity theft. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In May 2007 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Maria E. Lengele (LP00055419) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to ensure that a physician was timely notified of a patient’s critical lab results.

In May 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Ronald G. Lentz (RC00033716) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include making sexual comments to female clients and representing himself as a doctor and a mental health counselor when he does not hold a license to practice either profession. Lentz also allegedly disclosed confidential information without client consent.

In May 2007 the Board of Physical Therapy charged physical therapist Marte Scheuffele (PT00005068) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly misrepresented the number of continuing education hours he completed between August 2001 and August 2003.

In May 2007 the Dispensing Optician Program charged dispensing optician apprentice Emily C. Dickman (DT10005144) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of assault and minor in possession of alcohol, consuming alcohol or otherwise acquiring alcohol.

In May 2007 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant applicant Loyd E. Hanna (HC00152425) with unprofessional conduct. Hanna was convicted of possession of marijuana. He also concealed having a nursing assistant registration that is on probation.

In May 2007 the Dispensing Optician Program denied the application of dispensing optician applicant Walter K. Laster, Jr. (CA00001112). Laster was convicted of robbery, driving under the influence on two different occasions and driving while his license was suspended. He cannot reapply for 10 years.

In May 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged George White (RC00054089), a registered counselor, with unprofessional conduct. White allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against his license.

In May 2007 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Marvin Kunikiyo (CH00002656) with unprofessional conduct. Kunikiyo allegedly failed to keep accurate and adequate records on a patient and took x-rays with no clinical justification.In May 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant applicant Kenna L. Leffler (CA00047989) with unprofessional conduct. Leffler was convicted of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, shoplifting and unlawful possession of a controlled substance on three different occasions. She allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions.

In May 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the license of Laura A. Birchall (NC10054954), a certified nursing assistant.

In May 2007 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant Kathleen A. Sorenson (HC00145780) with unprofessional conduct. Sorenson allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

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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