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For immediate release: September 15, 2004 (04-108)
Contact:
Deanna Whitman,
Communications Office (360) 236-4022
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA ¾ The Health Professions Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state.
HPQA is responsible for protecting and enhancing the health of the people of
Washington State by assuring access to safe, competent health care providers.
HPQA personnel work in partnership with 12 boards, four commissions, and nine
advisory committees to set licensing standards for 55 health care professions
(e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information on Washington’s health care providers is now available online at our new Provider Credential Search Web site (https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/). 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 HPQA, 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.
There is currently an opening on the Orthotics and Prosthetics Advisory Committee for a licensed physician specializing in orthopedic medicine or surgery or physiatry. Please contact 360-236-4947 for information.
Benton County
In August 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Sonia L. Maldonado,
an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00035637), with
unprofessional conduct. She was allegedly convicted of shoplifting.
Chelan County
In August 2004 the X-Ray Technician Program and the Health Care Assistant
Program placed the registration and certification of Roxy M. Richards
(XT00001074, HC00141519) on a stayed suspension for three years. She must pay a
$2,000 fine ($1,000 is suspended) and submit reports. Richards called in
prescriptions for a patient and lied that a doctor prescribed the drugs.
Clallam County
In August 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Leonard D. Fennell,
a nursing assistant applicant (CA00035599), with unprofessional conduct. Fennell
allegedly concealed a theft conviction on his application.
In August 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the registration of Charles F. Rice to practice as a nursing assistant (NA00127843).
Clark County
In August 2004 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse
Susan Solbach (RN00121277) on probation for five years, and she must pay a
$500 fine. Solbach diverted controlled substances from her workplace.
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Victoria L. Tamis (PH00014262) with unprofessional conduct. Tamis allegedly made an error in filling to a patient’s prescription.
Grays Harbor County
In August 2004 the Chiropractic Commission amended a statement of charges
against chiropractor Kenneth J. Stanton (CH00002176). He is being charged
with unprofessional conduct for allegedly being convicted of malicious mischief,
negligent driving, driving under the influence, rape and having sexual contact
with a patient.
King County
In August 2004 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician David
M. Chatham (MD00029819) on probation for two years. He must not have social
contact with patients, must attend an ethics course and pay a $1,000 fine.
Chatham engaged in inappropriate sexual conversations with a patient.
In August 2004 the Surgical Technologist Program charged William Cliber, an applicant to activate his expired surgical technologist credential (ST00000706), with unprofessional conduct. Cliber was allegedly found guilty of burglary.
In August 2004 the Medical Commission charged physician Thomas J. Laney (MD00024468) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Laney include failing to follow normal anesthesiology procedures and effectively manage the airway emergency in the care of a patient.
In August 2004 the Medical Commission placed the license of John D. Sinclair (MD00034862) on a stayed suspension. His license will be placed on probation if he complies with terms and conditions. Sinclair failed to record prescriptions and visits in a patient’s medical record. He also had an inappropriate relationship with the patient.
In August 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Arlene L. Welk to practice nursing (RN00115696).
Mason County
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Albert C. Legault
(PH00010560) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly pled guilty to unlawful
possession of a controlled substance.
Pierce County
In August 2004 the Dental Commission amended a statement of charges against
dentist Richard B. Ferguson (DE00006345). He is being charged with
unprofessional conduct for allegedly providing services that fell below standard
and failing to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Lynn Irwin (PH00011061) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Irwin include diverting drugs for her own use and consuming controlled substances that were prescribed for another person and/or animal.
In August 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Cathy Kilmer to practice nursing (RN00073939).
In August 2004 the Medical Commission withdrew a statement of charges against physician Nelson J. Williams (MD00026207).
Snohomish County
In August 2004 the Nursing Assistant Program entered into an Agreed Order with
Matthew G. Skews, a nursing assistant (NC10010443). He agrees to comply
with the terms and conditions of a prior order. In June his licenses to practice
nursing were placed on probation for five years after he diverted controlled
substances from his workplace.
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Hanh M. Tu (PH00039828) with unprofessional conduct. Tu allegedly filled a patient’s prescriptions without examining the patient’s medication record.
Stevens County
In August 2004 the Podiatric Medical Board amended a statement of charges
against James R. Alderson, a doctor of podiatric medicine (PO00000498).
He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegations including
running an unsafe and unsanitary surgical facility, consuming controlled
substances he had prescribed to a patient and using false documents to seek
reinstatement from a prior order.
Thurston County
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged Daniqua Hall, a pharmacy
assistant (VB00047150), with unprofessional conduct. Hall allegedly diverted
controlled substances from her workplace.
In August 2004 the Pharmacy Board charged Victoria L. Safford, a pharmacy assistant (VB00053607), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted a controlled substance from her workplace.
Whatcom County
In August 2004 the Medical Commission withdrew a statement of charges against
physician Michael S. Lawrence (MD00021347).
Yakima County
In August 2004 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of Mary Lydigsen
to practice nursing (RN00040047).
In August 2004 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Veronica A. Pacheco to practice as a health care assistant (CA00009297). Her certification is placed on a stayed suspension if she complies with terms and conditions. Pacheco was convicted of theft and failing to cooperate with investigations regarding other possible convictions.
Out of State
(Many health care providers hold licenses in more than one state. Department of
Health receives information each month from national groups on disciplined
health care providers. When another state’s regulatory group takes actions, the
equivalent board/commission/program in Washington files unprofessional conduct
charges against the provider’s Washington credential.)
Idaho: In August 2004 the Podiatric Medical Board corrected an amended statement of charges against Stephen A. Isham, a doctor of podiatric medicine licensed in Washington (PH00000185). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegedly performing unnecessary surgery on a patient.
Indiana: In August 2004 the Nursing Commission withdrew a statement of charges against Sylvia Oathout, a licensed practical nurse licensed in Washington (LP00052368).
Oregon: In August 2004 the Denturist Program charged denturist Nelda Marie Hyatt (DN00000278) with unprofessional conduct. The allegations include the Oregon Board of Denture Technology took disciplinary action against her Oregon license after she failed to comply with an order. Her practice in Washington include substandard care of patients.
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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