For immediate release: October 8, 2007 (07-172)

Contact:
Media inquiries: Allison Cook, 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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 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.

In September 2007 the Chiropractic Commission placed the license of chiropractor David W. Chan (CH00001534) on probation for one year. Chan provided substandard care by ignoring a patient’s direction and causing injury to the patient because of the examination. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Donna A. Reedy (RC00058305) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Allison R. Seamands (NA00183924) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding a complaint.

In September 2007 the Board of Pharmacy entered into an agreed order with pharmacist Robert S. Kellar (PH00019666) and placed his license on probation for one year. Kellar mislabeled a refill prescription. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission granted the termination of compliance period on the license of dentist Judith C. Ris (DE00007055).

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged applicant Anne M. Cruse (NA00190592) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of reckless driving and minor in possession. She allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions.

In September 2007 the Board of Pharmacy charged pharmacist Wayne Engstrom (PH00007938) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to properly supervise pharmacy technicians to assure a pharmacist counsels patients on new prescriptions.

In September 2007 the Massage Program denied the application of massage therapist applicant Tia L. Harrell (CA00009281). She was convicted of two counts of possession of stolen property. Harrell cannot reapply for five years. She is also known as Tia L. Marr.

In September 2007 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Johanna M. Hoeller (CH00002024) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to keep adequate treatment and diagnostic records of patients, failing to re-examine a patient after treatment and failing to document a care plan for a patient.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the registration of nursing assistant Margaret S. Kadzomba (NA00167158) on probation for two years. She left a developmentally disabled adult patient alone and locked in a vehicle for an hour. She must comply with the terms and conditions set against her license.

In September 2007 the Licensed Mental Health Counseling Program charged licensed mental health counselor Michael G. Leifer (LH00005834) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of reckless endangerment and allegedly failed to report the conviction to the program.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission entered into an agreed order with dentist Wonzel M. Mobley (DE00004032). He failed to keep adequate records of treatment and diagnosis, failed to retreat previous dental work and failed to adjust ill-fitting crowns. Mobley must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Melissa Moore (NC10092669) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly had a patient pay for a cell phone for her and promised to reimburse the patient, but never did.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission placed the license of dentist Thomas S. Safley (DE00005482) on probation for two years. He provided substandard care during diagnosis and treatment of a patient. He must comply with the terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission granted the termination of compliance on the license of dentist Foster O. Bucher (DE00005157).

In September 2007 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged Helgi S Douay (LH00007168), a licensed mental health counselor, with unprofessional conduct. Douay allegedly gave gifts to a client’s child and accepted a job from the client.

In September 2007 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of registered counselor applicant Andrew L. Farmer (RC00057749) and placed his registration on probation for four years. He was convicted of driving while license suspended, reckless driving and unlawful possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. Farmer must comply with terms and conditions set against his license. He is also known as Andrew L. Simpson.

In September 2007 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professionals Programs granted the application of chemical dependency professional applicant and registered counselor Clarence F. Farmer (CA00005381 and RC00050383) and placed both credentials on probation for three years. He failed to report a conviction for unlawful possession of controlled substance on his registered counselor application. He must comply with the terms and conditions set against his credentials.

In September 2007 the Registered Counselor Program charged Terri L. Cotterell (RC00054294), a registered counselor, with unprofessional conduct. Cotterell allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the reactivation application of nursing assistant Tammy L. Brown (NA00034769). She was convicted of unlawful use of drug paraphernalia, attempted forgery and theft. Brown failed to disclose the convictions on her application. She cannot reapply for five years.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission entered into an agreed order with dentist Frank Vedelago (DE00002897). He failed to fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain his license and practiced with an expired credential. Vedelago must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Board of Pharmacy charged Lori Kenyon (VA00040653), a pharmacy technician, with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted drugs from her place of employment and forged a prescription in another patient’s name for her own use.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission charged dentist Sherilyn V. Malloy (DE00006693) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to adequately document care given to two patients including conscious sedation of the patients.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the license of certified nursing assistant Diane Chris Vanover (NC10014938).

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of licensed practical nurse Kathi L. Downing (LP00042025) and placed her license on probation. She must comply with 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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