For immediate release: October 2, 2009  (09-161)

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

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.

The department’s Health Systems 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.

Benton
Chelan
Clark
King
Kitsap
Kittitas
Pierce
Spokane
Thurston
Whatcom
Yakima
Out of State

In June 2009 the Dental Commission granted the application of dental assistant Esther Almaguer (D160072724) and placed conditions against her license. She was convicted of minor in possession and/or consumption and driving under the influence. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Rachel A. Burt (HC60068180) and placed her license on probation for two years. She was convicted of theft, and must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In June 2009 the Denturist Program amended the statement of charges against Diana S. Shelby (DN00000253). The care she provided fell below the standard while providing denture services.

In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Angela K Schauer (HC00146162) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of assault and possession of a controlled substance —Vicodin.

In June 2009 the Chiropractic Commission placed the license of chiropractor Troy M. Dreiling (CH00003052) on probation for five years. He failed to document reasons or need for treatments offered to patients, billed for an evaluation but failed to document the evaluation, took inadequate x-rays, failed to keep adequate documentation of diagnosis and treatments, and failed to comply with conditions set against his license. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In June 2009 the Medical Commission charged physician Huong T. Luu (MD00030582) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly prescribed substantial and frequent amounts of narcotic pain relief medications to patients. He also prescribed a drug to manage opioid dependency without appropriate authorization from the Drug Enforcement Agency..

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the registration of Leann C. Wilcowski (NA00169659) and placed it on probation for two years. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her registration.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the registration of Jessie R. Adaya (NA00182965).

In May 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Billie S. Barnes (HC60060043). She worked as a health care assistant and/or practiced medicine without a valid credential.

In June 2009 the Board of Pharmacy placed the license of pharmacy technician Benjamine M. Carpenter (VA00067024) on probation for five years. He provided a discount to himself on the sale of a camera from his former place of employment and admitted to using marijuana. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In June 2009 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program fined Gary R. Sarozek (LH00007235) for using an inadequate disclosure form. The program also dismissed other allegations against him.

In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant program granted the application of Amanda Christina-Maria Taca (HC60084334) and placed her license on probation for three years. She was convicted of theft on more than one occasion. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Dana Brianne

Cordova (HC60088900) and placed her license on probation for two years. She was convicted of violation of a protection order, minor in possession and/or consumption of liquor, and driving under the influence. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program terminated the order of probation against Alisha A. Thomas (NA00195193).

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Toni D. Nelson (NC10068377) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of shoplifting.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Damnal Kang (NC10072725) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of assault.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Brandy M. Pittman (NC10075906) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of multiple crimes and allegedly deposited and cashed checks from a patient that weren’t endorsed or written by the patient totaling $4,000.

In June 2009 the Chiropractic Commission placed the license of Michael A. Baker (CH00001832) on probation for five years. He directed unlicensed staff to perform chiropractic treatments when he was not present, altered billing slips and charts to reflect more treatment than was provided and billed insurance companies for the additional treatment, and he was previously placed on probation for failure to adequately maintain patient treatment records. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Amanda M. Boisjolie (NA00189023) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft and two counts of assault.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Abbigail K. Cook (NA00158529) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of driving under the influence.

In June 2009 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Elizabeth Anderson (RN00130725, AP30005512) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly may not be able to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of certified nursing assistant Adam D. Eakin (NC10094157) and placed his certification on probation for two years. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his certification.

In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the certification of certified nursing assistant Sonia M. Romero (NC10067239) on probation for two years. She pulled a patient’s shirt over the patient’s head to stop her from spitting and left the patient alone for several minutes in the bathroom. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her certification.

In June 2009 the Nursing Commission terminated the order of probation against licensed practical nurse Paula S. Payne (LP00026532).

In June 2009 the Registered Counselor Program reinstated the registration of Stacy E. Stone (RC00051193).

Oregon: In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program released Ofealia Rodica (Balea) Popovici (NA00127010) from terms and conditions set against her registration.

Oregon: In June 2009 the Medical Commission charged physician Kenneth F. Wenberg (MD00025365) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations include failing to adequately assess a patient’s injuries, discharging the patient and sending her home without anyone to care for her, and failing to keep adequate notes of assessment and diagnosis of the patient.

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.

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