For immediate release: April 4, 2008  (08-050)

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OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Benton
Chelan
King
Kitsap
Pierce
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Whatcom
Whitman
Out of State

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Karen L. Andrews (LP00048993) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to change a patient’s dressings, charted she had changed the patient’s dressings when she had not, and signed on the charts she had done a skin assessment on the patient when she had not.

In March 2008 the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program charged Anne E. Miller (LR00003890) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of assault, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, hit and run – unattended, and driving under the influence. She allegedly failed to report these convictions to the department as required.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Jessie R. Adaya (NA00182965) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly used a fraudulent social security number to apply for his license and has been using the number during his employment and while practicing as a nursing assistant.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Fatou Badjie (NA00191287) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used a fraudulent social security number to obtain her credential and failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the fraudulent number.

In March 2008 the Licensed Social Worker Program granted the application of licensed social worker applicant Yaffa Cohen (LW00009516) and placed her license on probation for three years. Her license to practice as a registered counselor was placed on probation in a previous order. She must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Constantin Deaconu (NA00061607). He is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant John B. Griffith (NC10093979) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly struck a patient.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Pamela M. Herod (NA00006352) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of reckless endangerment.

In March 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Karolyn K. Lee (HC00141120 and HC00150064) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Maria E. Leonardo (NA00187614) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used a fraudulent social security number to apply for her license and has been using the number during her employment and while practicing as a nursing assistant.

In March 2008 the Medical Commission amended the statement of charges against physician William H. Levy (MD00021325). He allegedly used inappropriate and graphic language, determined watching violent pornography was appropriate for a boy, and revealed his own use of pornography.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Nelson R. Lopecillo (NA00190366) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly used a fraudulent social security number to apply for his license and has been using the number during his employment and while practicing as a nursing assistant.

In March 2008 the Massage Program charged Marsena L. Richmond (MA00006304) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft on more than one occasion and criminal assault.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Paulino S. Tison (NA00186948) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly used a fraudulent social security number to apply for his license and has been using the number during his employment and while practicing as a nursing assistant.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Rheycel S. Orante (NA00184273) with unprofessional conduct. Her license to practice as a health care assistant was indefinitely suspended.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Devon L. Williams (NA00199333) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of possession of stolen property and reckless burning. He allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding these convictions.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Teresa L. Betts (LP00055095) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to properly chart the dispensing of medication to patients, dispensed the medication off the schedule, and failed to attend to a patient when the patient appeared to be experiencing apnea due to the error in medication.

In March 2008 the Board of Optometry charged Terrence T. Clark (OD00001204) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly practiced outside his scope of practice by draining a patient’s eyelid cyst with a needle.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Warren Collie (NA00121430) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly entered into an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with a patient.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Kila J. Linton (NA00199469). She was convicted of shoplifting and cannot reapply for five years.

In March 2008 the Dental Commission charged Mostafa Norooz (DE00007466) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to obtain, provide and record patient information, failing to diagnose, evaluate, treat, and record the patient’s tooth decay and periodontal condition, and failing to obtain consent before treating a patient.

In February 2008 the Chiropractic Commission withdrew the statement of charges against chiropractor Shawn L. Gay (CH00003609).

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Marzetta L. Yarbrough (NC10098243) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her credential.

In March 2008 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged licensed mental health counselor Norman S. Nickle (LH00004979) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly entered into a sexual relationship with a patient.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant James R. Pollard (NC10085152) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of threats to bomb or injure property.

In March 2008 the Dental Commission amended the statement of charges against dentist with a conscious sedation permit Darryl W. S. Chen (DE00006731 and CS10000154). Allegations include practicing with an expired license, failing to administer tests before treatment, and failing to create and maintain adequate treatment records.

In March 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program placed the license of health care assistant applicant Shawn C. Elliot (HC00153144) on probation for three years. He was convicted of driving under the influence on two different occasions. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

California: In March 2008 the Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery Board denied the application of osteopathic physician applicant Anthony Lopresti (DO.OP.60013991). He took a comprehensive physician assessment after his place of employment found deficiencies in his charts. The assessment recommended he take courses and enter into a practice monitoring program. He cannot reapply until he complies with the recommendations given by the assessment.

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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