For immediate release: August 30, 2005 (05-109)

Contact:
Media inquiries: Deanna Whitman, Communications Office (360) 236-4022
Public inquiries: Health Professions Customer Service (360) 236-4700

State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA • 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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state. The information on the cases reported in this news release represents the status of each item on the date the news release was issued.

HPQA is responsible for protecting and enhancing the health of the people of Washington 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.

In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of John A. Magana to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007394). He may not reapply for five years. Magana was convicted of unlawful possession of cocaine in the Franklin County Superior Court and unlawful possession of methamphetamine in the United States District Court, Helena Montana Division.

In July 2005 the Massage Program charged Nicholas A. Banks, a massage practitioner (MA00004397), with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched patients in inappropriate places.

In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Lois N. Murray to practice as a registered counselor (CA00007483). Her certification is placed on a stayed suspension for three years and she must comply with terms and conditions. Murray was convicted of possessing a controlled substance.

In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Leann C. Wilcowski (NA00169659) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly admitted to stealing money from a patient. Wilcowski pled guilty to theft in Clark County District Court.

In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Rebecka L. Fowler (NA00146780) with unprofessional conduct. Fowler allegedly stole money from a patient.

In July 2005 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor David A.C. Hall (CH00033869) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include admitting to abusing alcohol, closing his practice without notifying his patients and being convicted of assault.

In July 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist order against Che Huy. While employed at Advanced Image Clinic, Huy allegedly performed hair transplant surgery.

In July 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist order against Julie King. While employed at Advanced Image Clinic, King allegedly performed hair transplant surgery.

In July 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacist Dmitry A. Lefelman (PH00018912) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include selling medications not labeled in English and not allowing a patient to speak with a pharmacist.

In July 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against James Marino. While working at Marino Salon & Spa in Federal Way, he allegedly performed laser procedures on patients. Marino holds no health care credential.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission modified an Agreed Order with Jamie J. Nelson, a licensed practical nurse (LP00031332). She no longer has to submit progress reports; all other terms and conditions of the order remain in effect.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Frank Shields (RN00148929) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly diverted a controlled substance from his workplace for his own non-therapeutic use.

In August 2005 the Denturist Program charged denturist Stanley Leroy White (DN00000140) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly continued to work while his license was expired.

In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Cindy Yonck. While an employee and/or agent of Abundant Health Services LLC, she allegedly treated medical conditions for a fee. She holds no health care credential in Washington.

In July 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged Seunghwa Corporation, doing business as Park View Terrace Grocery (UBI No. 602114286), with unprofessional conduct. The operator of Park View Terrace Grocery, Seung Hwa Lee, allegedly knowingly sold more than the legal amount of pseudoephedrine products. Lee was convicted of selling, transferring or furnishing of substance for unlawful purpose in the Kitsap County Superior Court.

In July 2005 the Registered Counselor Program amended a statement of charges against William F. Bentley, a registered counselor (RC00027558). He is being charged with unprofessional conduct for allegations including submitting false materials and misrepresenting himself to the Psychology Board, borrowing and not repaying money from clients and being convicted of various crimes.

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant and Respiratory Care Programs charged Ty H. Buchanan, a respiratory care practitioner and applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (LR00000161, CA00040331), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of three counts of theft and three counts of forgery.

In July 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Notice of Intent to issue a Cease and Desist Order against Donald Brandt. He referred to himself as a doctor and treated several patients at his office in Mount Vernon. Brandt does not have a license to practice as a physician in Washington.

In July 2005 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor James P. Burton (CH00001115) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against him include treating an area of the spine he had not examined and for which he had not obtained informed consent, and performing treatment that resulted in patient injury.

In July 2005 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse Marc A. Neuy (RN00127139) and placed him on probation for five years. He must comply with terms and conditions. Neuy» s Washington license had been revoked after his license to practice nursing in California was revoked for drug diversion.

In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Renee L. Boston to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00039856). She may not reapply for five years. Boston failed to disclose an assault conviction on her application.

In July 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Cheryl E. Emery to reactivate her certification to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10020742). She may not reapply for five years. Emery was found guilty of possessing a controlled substance in the Spokane County Superior Court.

In July 2005 the Licensed Social Worker Program charged social worker Thomas C. Stebbins (LW00004422) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly engaged in inappropriate dual relationships with both client members of a divorcing couple and developed a personal and social relationship with a client.

In July 2005 the Massage Program charged massage therapist Deetta Vaughan-Dvorak (MA00004958) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.

In August 2005 the Nursing Commission charged Brandy M. Schneider, a licensed practical nurse (LP00052649), with unprofessional conduct. She pled guilty to soliciting to possess a controlled substance in Skagit County Superior Court.

In July 2005 the Dental Commission charged dentist Alfred M. Fairbanks (DE00004076) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly provided services that failed to meet the standard of care.

(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.)

Colorado: In August 2005 the Medical Commission charged James E. Damon, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00030461), with unprofessional conduct. His Colorado license was restricted and placed on probation.

Michigan: In July 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged Sara A. Bellevue, a pharmacy assistant licensed in Washington (VB00047963), with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.

Oregon: In July 2005 the Pharmacy Board charged CK Non-Food Distributing Inc. (CA00058134), located in Portland, Oregon, with unprofessional conduct. They applied for a license to operate as an out of state drug wholesale distributor in Washington. CK Non-Food Distributing Inc., allegedly distributed products in Washington without being licensed.

Oregon: In July 2005 the Chiropractic Commission charged David J. Shipley, a chiropractor licensed in Washington (CH00001519), with unprofessional conduct. Charges against him include representing himself as a chiropractor in Oregon although he was not licensed and altering his Washington chiropractor license.

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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