For immediate release: April 18, 2008  (08-058)

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OLYMPIA ľ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 more than 70 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
Franklin
Grays Harbor
Island
King
Kitsap
Pierce
Skagit
Snohomish
Spokane
Thurston
Walla Walla
Yakima

In March 2008 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of registered counselor applicant Tana M. Freeman (RC00057842). She was convicted of assault – domestic violence and violation of a domestic violence order. She cannot reapply for three years.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse Kaylene Paetow Powell (RN00033672) and placed her license on probation. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Board of Physical Therapy amended the agreed order against physical therapist Eli N. Lambert (PT00008627) and fully reactivated his license. He must comply with the terms and conditions set against his license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse Kriss T. Longworth (RN00110656) on probation for two years. She failed to document administration of narcotic medication signed out for administration to patients. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Office of Emergency Medical Services and Trauma System Program charged paramedic Tracy R. Adams (ES01167215) with unprofessional conduct. Adams was convicted of seven counts of computer trespass.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Hirut T. Argaw (NA00192215). While working in a store, she reduced the price of an item for her own gain and used a customer’s credit card without permission to buy items for herself. She cannot reapply for three years.

In March 2008 the Registered Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional Programs charged Natalie B. Banks (RC00019437 and CP00000101) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her licenses.

In April 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Susan K. Berck (NA00188149) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of assault – domestic violence, telephone harassment – domestic violence, and two counts of violation of a domestic violence court order.

In April 2008 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of registered counselor applicant Victor C. Conquest (RC00058216) and placed his credential on probation for three years. He was convicted of possession of stolen property on two different occasions, residential burglary and burglary. He must comply with the terms and conditions set against his credential.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse Katerina M. Falkenberg (RN00127977) on probation for one year. She was terminated from her place of employment because of an escalating pattern of serious medication errors. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant applicant Meletatafu Hefa (NA00198971) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of attempted forgery and allegedly failed to disclose the conviction on her application and respond to department inquiries regarding the conviction.

In April 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tracy A. Johnson (NC10071310) with unprofessional conduct. Johnson was convicted of two counts of assault.

In March 2008 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery charged osteopathic physician Eric D. Thomas (OP00001758) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include allowing an unlicensed assistant to administer injections to and take blood draws from patients, failing to respond to department inquiries regarding a complaint filed against him, failing to properly label medications, and failing to respond to department inquiries.

In March 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of health care assistant applicant Julio M. Vernaza (HCA.HC.60003262). He was convicted of attempted theft. He cannot reapply for one year.

In March 2008 the Massage Program charged Walter A. Moller (MA00014895) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly fondled a patient’s breasts during a massage session.

In March 2008 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged Anthony M. Hay (CP00004687) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly reported two persons were clients of the agency where he worked and had complied with court ordered conditions. Some of the reports were made on agency letterhead after he left the agency. The agency had no treatment records about those clients.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreed order with registered nurse Margaret Ellen Muai (RN00066498). She disabled or removed a resident’s personal alarm, stated if a patient fell he could sleep on the floor for the night, stated that residents had no rights on the night shift, prepared medications without consulting the medication administration record, and indicated the medication had been administered before it was actually administered. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Dental Commission reinstated the license of David A. Wagner (DE00006755).

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission placed the licensed of registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Robyn M. Choffel (RN00103955 and AP30003913) on probation for two years. She attempted to fill two forged prescriptions in the name of other persons at one pharmacy and called in a prescription in the name of another person at a different pharmacy. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In April 2008 the Massage Therapist Program charged Kimberly Robinson-Searles (MA00017055) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly had a sexual relationship with a client.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant reactivation applicant Debra A. Shifflett (NA00174513) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant reactivation applicant Keli J. Weber (NA00085574) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of driving under the influence on two different occasions and allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the convictions.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of licensed practical nurse Judith K. Middleton (LP00027494). She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse Jami D. Smylie (RN00165936) on probation for three years. She borrowed $4000 from a patient and has not repaid the patient. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In March 2008 the Nursing Assistant and Surgical Technologist Programs charged nursing assistant and surgical technologist applicant Blanca M. Mendoza (NA00195661 and ST00003787) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft and attempted forgery. She allegedly failed to disclose the application on her application as required.

Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the 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.

###