For immediate release: October 25, 2007 (07-184)

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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Lindsay Ramirez (CA00047326). She was convicted of theft and driving under the influence. She cannot reapply for 10 years.

In October 2007 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of registered counselor applicant Mary E. Slater (CA00008777). Slater was convicted of theft on three different occasions and unlawful possession of a controlled substance – heroin. She cannot reapply for five years.

In September 2007 the Veterinary Board of Governors entered into an agreed order with veterinarian Michael L. Baker (VT00006064). He failed to provide a dog’s treatment records to the owner’s attorney in the time allowed by rule.

In September 2007 the Medical Commission exonerated and dismissed charges against physician Richard A. Kirkpatrick (MD00015066).

In September 2007 the Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Board entered into an agreed order with osteopath David Asmussen (OP00000658). He fell below the standard of care in the performance of surgery on and in the postoperative care of two patients. Asmussen must comply with the terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program amended the statement of charges against nursing assistant Kevin P. Bernadt (NA00182206). He allegedly applied topical medication to a patient without the appropriate delegation to administer the medication.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Anne M. Cruse (NA00190592). Cruse was convicted of reckless driving and minor in possession and/or consumption. She failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions. She cannot reapply for five years.

In October 2007 the Registered Counselor Program reinstated the license of registered counselor Amanda I. Jones (RC00049882).

In October 2007 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor Programs reinstated the credentials of chemical dependency professional and registered counselor Robert D. Lydon (CP00002930 and RC00027049).

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program amended the statement of charges against Shahid Newad (NA00179947). He allegedly behaved inappropriately with a resident of the adult family home he managed.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission charged dentist Lloyd M. Tucker (DE00007759) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly gave treatment below the standard of care during the pre-operative, placement and post-surgical management of tooth implants.

In September 2007 the Dental Commission charged dentist John Pham (DE00008608) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include giving patients general anesthesia or deep sedation without the proper credentials or training to do so, failing to maintain adequate records of patients, inadequately supervised or employed staff who were not trained or licensed to monitor deep sedation and failing to keep facilities at the Washington state standard.

In September 2007 the Medical Commission vacated an order against physician Alfred H. Chan (MD00019718).

In September 2007 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of registered counselor applicant Kelli M. Edwards (RC00057435). Edwards was convicted of possession of stolen property on two different occasions. She cannot reapply for three years.

In September 2007 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System Program charged emergency medical technician Donald C. Hunter (125532) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly practiced below the standard of care when a patient’s gurney tipped over resulting in injury.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Christine R. Riley (LP00055350) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse David S. Fish (RN00095793). He must comply with terms and conditions.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Erica C. Hurtado (NA00144748) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of unlawful issuance of bank check, theft and two counts of violation of anti-harassment order.

In September 2007 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged licensed mental health counselor J. S. Hallett (LH00007250) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly misrepresented that she had supervised the postgraduate experience of a mental health counselor applicant.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Sean Jerome (NA00191995). He was convicted of taking a motor vehicle without permission. Jerome cannot reapply for five years.

In September 2007 the Health Care Assistant and X-Ray Technician Programs amended the statement of charges against Patrick D. Germeau (HC00148734 and XT00006033), a health care assistant and x-ray technician. He allegedly made inappropriate sexual comments and suggestions to a patient.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Cyndi L. Cunningham (LP00057258) with unprofessional conduct. Cunningham’s license to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Illinois was indefinitely suspended.

In September 2007 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant applicant Shawn C. Elliot (HC00153144) with unprofessional conduct. Elliot was convicted of driving under the influence on two different occasions.

In September 2007 the Medical Commission charged physician Kamal F. Aboulhosen (MD00022863) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include making inappropriate sexual comments to patients, touching patients inappropriately and performing unsatisfactory breast augmentations that required additional surgery.

California: In October 2007 the Medical Commission charged physician David H. Dempsey (MD00045198) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly practiced below the standard of care by failing to obtain an adequate patient history, failing to conduct an adequate physical exam and failing to correlate the history of the patient’s injury with the lab and imaging results.

Oregon: In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse applicant Darrah Buitron (RN00169134) with unprofessional conduct. Buitron allegedly failed to disclose that her Texas license to practice as a registered nurse was suspended.

Oregon: In September 2007 the Dental Commission charged dentist Patrick A. Robinson (DE00005314) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to diagnose a patient correctly, failed to document treatment options, failed to do a complete evaluation of the patient’s dental needs and failed to take sufficient x-rays.

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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