For immediate release: April 14, 2008 (08-053)

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

This document has been edited for factual accuracy

State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

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’s 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 March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Lori L. Martin (NA00074356). Martin failed to comply with a previous order.

In March 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program suspended the credential of Marci L. Evans (HC00136614). Evans failed to comply with terms set against her credential.

In March 2008 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program suspended the credential of Jim H. Massey (CP00002902). Massey alerted a client of a random drug screening on more than one occasion.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of Bonita M. Dueno (NA00186279). Dueno failed to comply with a previous order.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Tia M. Riggs (NA00187235). Riggs failed to comply with a previous order.

In March 2008 the Secretary of Health withdrew the statement of charges against registered counselor Troy Vaughn Gardner (RC00025125).

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of licensed practical nurse Cynthia D. Halvorson (LP00046604). Halvorson failed to comply with previous terms set against her license.

In February 2008 Timothy W. Keller (MD00018791) agreed to permanently surrender his license to practice medicine in the state of Washington.

In March 2008 James L. Shirk (RC00011321 and CP00005891) surrendered his credentials to practice as a registered counselor and chemical dependency professional in the Washington. Shirk performed a client evaluation prior to holding the required credential, failed to provide a disclosure statement to the client, removed and refused to return the client’s records after his employment ended, and submitted an inaccurate and incomplete report to the court.

In March 2008 the Dental Commission suspended the license of Joseph Thurston (DE00004460). Thurston continued to practice dentistry in Washington while his license was suspended and failed to comply with terms of an order.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of licensed practical nurse Tijuan Robinson (LP00053123). Robinson was convicted of making telephone calls to harass and fourth degree assault. She also pled guilty to third degree malicious mischief.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Ivy A. Rogers (NC10044792). Rogers was convicted of third degree assault.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the credential of Kenneth C. Hargrove (NA00178241). Hargrove was convicted of three counts of first degree child molestation.

In April 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Linda Hing (NC10080674). Hing pled guilty to third degree assault.

In March 2008 Terrilyn R. Henderson (RN00117696) voluntarily surrendered her license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of Washington. Henderson was convicted of fourth degree assault and driving under the influence.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of registered nurse Lisa Marie O’Brien (RN00114292). O’Brien tested positive for cocaine during a drug test. She was also convicted of aiming or discharging a firearm and driving with a suspended license in the second degree.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of registered nurse Starla R. Wessels (RN00057865). Wessels failed to complete an incident report or initiate an internal investigation of a death in her facility. She told staff not to report the position the body was found in when the patient died, failed to contact the Medical Examiner to report a possible trauma related to the death, failed to inform the patient’s family of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body and failed keep accurate records of the condition of the body.

In March 2008 the Health Care Assistant and X-Ray Technician Programs suspended the credentials of Patrick D. Germeau (HC00148734 and XT00006033. Germeau made improper and sexually suggestive comments to a patient at a park and at her home.

In March 2008 Mary T. Giles (RC00048148) voluntarily surrendered her credential to practice as a registered counselor in the state of Washington. Giles failed to comply with a previous order.

In March 2008 the Acupuncture Program suspended the credential of Russell N. Wahlund (AC00000569). Wahlund inappropriately touched a woman’s breasts during an acupuncture session.

In March 2008 the Medical Commission revoked the license of physician Kamal F. Aboulhosn (MD00022863). Aboulhosn made inappropriate sexual comments to patients, touched patients inappropriately and performed unsatisfactory breast augmentations that required additional surgery.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the credential of certified nursing assistant Aaron P. Carter (NC10086606). Carter was convicted of second degree child molestation and third degree rape of a child.

In March 2008 the Registered Counselor Program revoked the credential of Christina F. Peterson (RC00052608). Peterson failed to comply with terms set against her credential.

Illinois: In March 2008 the Dental Commission vacated the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order of default against dentist Charles West (DE00007238).

South Carolina: In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Heather R. Sanders (NA00185114). Sanders was convicted of third degree assault.

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