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For immediate release: October 10, 2005 (05-130)
Contact:
Media inquiries: Deanna Whitman,
Communications Office (360) 236-4022
Public inquiries: Health Professions Customer Service (360) 236-4700
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers
OLYMPIA ¾ The Health Professions Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of 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.
Benton County
In September 2006 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of Victoria J.
Fjellstrom, a pharmacy technician (VA00022133), for 10 years. She failed to
comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Ethel Flores. She must immediately stop practicing as a nurse.
Flores represented herself as a nurse and performed duties requiring a license.
In August 2005 the Dental Commission suspended the license of dentist Joseph
Thurston (DE00004460) until he complies with terms and conditions. His
license will then be placed on probation for five years. Thurston failed to
comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order, provided substandard care
to patients and was convicted of driving under the influence.
Clark County
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Shelly Aiello. She must immediately stop practicing medicine.
While working at Oasis Day Spa in Vancouver she administered laser hair removal
treatments to patients. Aiello has no credential to practice as a health care
professional.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Lynne Castleberry. She must immediately stop practicing medicine.
While working at Oasis Day Spa in Vancouver she administered laser hair removal
treatments to patients. Castleberry has no credential to practice as a health
care professional.
In September 2005 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of pharmacy
technician Kathy A. Viken (VA00051980) for 10 years. She diverted
controlled substances from her workplace for her own use.
King County
In September 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the certification of
nursing assistant Thomas A. Dickerson (NC10035205) for five years. He
punched a patient.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Marilyn Gelnette. She must immediately stop practicing medicine.
While working at Laser Works of Seattle in Tukwila Gelnette performed laser hair
removal on patients. She is not credentialed as a health care provider in
Washington.
In August 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program revoked the registration of nursing
assistant Kipulu Ndumbu Nzongo-Tobiasi (NA00071418) for 10 years. He
abused patients and threatened co-workers. He was charged with assault and false
imprisonment in King County Superior Court. Kipulu Ndumbu Nzongo-Tobiasi is also
known as Nzongo-Tobiasi Kipulu Ndumbu.
In September 2005 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Registered Counselor
Programs suspended the credentials of Mary E. Sanders, a registered
counselor and chemical dependency professional (RC00036103, CP00002243), for
three years. She used cocaine.
In September 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist
Order against Barbara Setters. She must immediately stop the unlicensed
practice of medicine and pay a $10,000 fine ($9000 is stayed). Setters offered
and undertook to treat medical conditions to the public for a fee. She has never
had a license to practice as a medical doctor.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Shaney Shoengarth. She must immediately stop practicing medicine.
While working at Laser Works of Seattle in Tukwila Shoengarth performed laser
hair removal on patients. She has no license to work as a health care
professional.
In September 2005 the Midwifery Program indefinitely suspended the license of
midwife Janine M. Walker (MW00000209). She failed to comply with the
terms and conditions of a prior order. Janine M. Walker is also known as Janine
M. Tafari.
In September 2005 the Denturist Program suspended the license of denturist
Stanley Leroy White (DN00000140) until he complies with terms and
conditions, including paying a $10,000 fine and refunding fees to clients. White
practiced as a denturist while his license was expired.
In August 2005 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a Cease and Desist Order
against Cheri Winterstein. She must immediately stop practicing medicine.
While working at Laser Works of Seattle in Tukwila, Winterstein performed laser
hair removal on patients. She has no license to work as a health care
professional.
Kitsap County
In September 2005 the Surgical Technologist Program indefinitely suspended the
registration of surgical technologist Ryan D. Jensen (ST00002527). He
failed to comply with prior limitations placed against his registration.
In September 2005 the Pharmacy Board revoked the certification of pharmacy
technician Maria E. McMahon (VA00042510) for three years. She practiced
as a pharmacy technician while her certification was expired. Her certification
document was also altered to show a different expiration date.
In September 2005 the Surgical Technologist Program suspended the registration
of surgical technologist Carlo Tobel (ST00001448). He did not comply with
a prior restriction on his registration.
Mason County
In September 2005 the Pharmacy Board suspended the license of pharmacist
Albert C. LeGault (PH00010560) for 10 years. He admitted to possessing and
using cocaine.
Pierce County
In September 2005 the Nursing Commission revoked the license of Autumn A.
Curtis, a licensed practical nurse (LP00050375), for 10 years. Charges
against her include using a deadly weapon to obtain numerous narcotics from a
facility. She was charged with robbery and unlawful possession of a controlled
substance in Pierce County Superior Court.
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.)
California: In August 2005 the Dental Commission revoked the license of
John R Froh, a dentist licensed in Washington (DE00008761), for 10 years.
He was convicted of grand theft in California and the California Dental Board
placed his California license on probation for five years.
Oregon: In August 2005 the Registered Counselor Program revoked the
registration of Leo O. Baca, a registered counselor licensed in
Washington (RC00047720), for 10 years. He was convicted of attempted possession
of a controlled substance and crossed professional boundaries with a client.
Michigan: In September 2005 the Pharmacy Board revoked the registration
of Sara A. Bellevue, a pharmacy assistant registered in Washington
(VB00047963). Her registration will remain revoked until she complies with a
prior Agreed Order with which she has failed to comply.
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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