For immediate release: November 14, 2007 (07-194)

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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Clark
Grant
Grays Harbor
Jefferson
King
Kitsap
Pacific
Pierce
Skagit
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Whatcom
Out of State
 

In October 2007 the Registered Counselor Program placed the license of registered counselor Glenda A. Bigalky (RC00027406) on probation for two years. She had an inappropriate personal relationship with a client and failed to give the client written disclosure information. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In October 2007 the Occupational Therapist Board charged occupational therapy assistant Sheila S. Cottrell (OC00000679) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly misrepresented the actual time spent with clients and billed for sessions that did not occur. She was also convicted of manufacture of a controlled substance – marijuana.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the license of certified nursing assistant Heather M. Johnson (NC10045826).

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Tammi J. Kindle (NA00055305) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of burglary and violation of the uniform controlled substance act – possession of methamphetamine. She allegedly failed to disclose the convictions on her application and failed to send an explanation to the department.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Will J. Dearing (NA00192373) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of reckless driving and attempting to elude police in a motor vehicle.

In October 2007 the Massage Program amended the statement of charges against massage therapist Charlie Y. Cheng (MA00004389). He allegedly touched a client inappropriately during massage treatments. Cheng was also convicted of two counts of rape.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse applicant Leah R. McCray (CA00066551) with unprofessional conduct. Her licenses to practice as a health care assistant and nursing assistant were revoked for five years.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Erika Moorhouse (RN00118811) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to notify or document notifying a physician of a patient missing a dose of antibiotics, ordering a chest x-ray without obtaining a physician’s order, failing to document accurately in patients records and failing to adequately assess and report a change of condition of a patient.

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of licensed practical nurse Jacqueline W. Poole (LP00052370).

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Refugio N. Olivas (CA00047751). He was convicted of assault with sexual motivation and failed to disclose the conviction on his application. He cannot reapply for 10 years.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Roy M. Relova (NA00191086). He was convicted of assault on two different occasions and harassment. He failed to disclose his criminal history on his application and failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the license of certified nursing assistant Lorrie R. Garcia (NC10032292).

In October 2007 the Massage Program denied the application of massage therapist applicant Nicole L. Castro (CA00008552). She failed to comply with an agreement regarding her application. She cannot reapply until she completes a treatment program.

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission placed the license of licensed practical nurse September Huff (LP00037000) on probation for two years. She failed to check a patient’s chart and did not perform cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or call 911 when the patient had no pulse or blood pressure.

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission ordered registered nurse Linda L. Martin (RN00089136) to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. She failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant applicant Lori A. Moore (NC10021443) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of driving under the influence and reckless endangerment.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Shannon N. Saffold (RN00138649) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted drugs for her own use.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Gillian Scott-Yearwood (NC10086343) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly refused to assist a patient with toileting and attempted to transfer a patient by herself resulting in the patient falling and sustaining an 18-inch abrasion. She was also convicted of malicious mischief.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Ashlee R. Spangler (NA00193496) with unprofessional conduct. She was charged with two counts of burglary and one count of trafficking in stolen property. She allegedly failed to disclose the charges on her application.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Kimberley R. Allen (NA00004237) with unprofessional conduct. Allen allegedly took checks and forged the checks for her personal profit or advantage. She is also known as Kimberley R. Tregoning-Merritt.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Amanda J. Lorntson (NA00180290) with unprofessional conduct. She was found guilty of possession of stolen property and assault. She also allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions.

In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Adam D. Short (CA00047870). He was convicted of driving under the influence on two different occasions and minor in possession. Short cannot reapply for five years after the conviction.

In October 2007 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Starla R. Wessels (RN00057865) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to complete an incident report or initiate an internal investigation of a death in her facility. She allegedly told staff not to report the position the body was found in when the patient died and failed keep accurate records of the condition of the body.

In October 2007 the Massage Program placed the license of massage therapist Sandi M. Powell (MA00020802) on probation for five years. She failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license. She must comply with new terms and conditions.

In September 2007 the Nursing Commission granted a registered nurse license to licensed practical nurse Christine Steckel (LP00053727 and CA00067711) and imposed conditions on both credentials. Her licenses to practice as a licensed mental health counselor and registered counselor were recently reinstated with terms and conditions.

West Virginia: In October 2007 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Robin M. Foose (CA00044138). She was convicted of theft on two occasions. She cannot reapply for five years.

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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