For immediate release: December 6, 2005 (05-161)

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 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Quality Assurance Office (HPQA) of the Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or has withdrawn charges against health care providers in the state. 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. 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 November 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Victor M. L. Armijo, an applicant to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00041966), with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of conspiring to distribute cocaine.

In October 2005 the Nursing Commission granted the reinstatement request of Gina Castle to practice as a licensed practical nurse (LP00047596).

In November 2005 the Pharmacy Board granted the reinstatement request of Belinda Pawling to practice as a pharmacist (PH00015058).

In November 2005 the Chiropractic Commission placed the license of chiropractor Frederick W. Aften (CH00002303) on a stayed suspension. He must comply with terms and conditions, including additional education, an examination and paying a $5,000 fine. Aften failed to maintain appropriate treatment documentation.

In November 2005 the Dental Commission placed the license of dentist Paul L. Alota (DE00007365) on probation for two years. He must comply with terms and conditions, including paying a $30,000 fine. Alota failed to keep appropriate documentation and billed for services not provided.

In November 2005 the Dental Commission entered into an Agreed Order with dentist David Aronowitz (DE00008824). He agrees to comply with terms and conditions, including taking continuing education courses and refunding a patient. Aronwitz provided substandard treatment to a patient.

In November 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Charles R. Flake (MD00020623) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Flake include having sexual relationships with patients and failing to keep appropriate documentation.

In November 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Tommy L. Grissette, an applicant to practice as a health care assistant (CA00011421), with unprofessional conduct. Grissette was convicted of violating the uniform controlled substance act by forging prescriptions.

In November 2005 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Terry B. Hogan to practice as a registered counselor (CA00006635). Hogan was convicted of assault, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.

In November 2005 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant and health care assistant applicant Debra M. Marsh (HC00142367, HC00139273, CA00010011) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include misrepresentation or fraud for phoning in false prescriptions for herself. Debra M. Marsh is also known as Debbie Marsh.

In November 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician assistant Khoa Q. Nguyen (PA10003156) with unprofessional conduct. Nguyen allegedly failed to cooperate with the disciplining authority.

In October 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Salley A. Parra (RC00008947) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include fraudulently presenting at her workplace that she had a master’s degree in social work and fraudulently representing herself as a licensed social worker.

In November 2005 the Pharmacy Board denied the application of Robert E. Walz to practice as a pharmacy assistant (CA00059736). He may not reapply for 10 years. Walz was convicted of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes.

In November 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Sue M. Wood (MD00011229) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against her include obtaining medications for a family member in the name of another patient. She also failed to keep appropriate patient records.

In November 2005 the Dental Commission entered an Order against dentist Foster O. Bucher (DE00005157). He must complete continuing education courses and pay a $15,000 fine. Bucher continued to practice dentistry after his license expired.

In September 2005 the Medical Commission charged physician Glenn E. Ziemski (MD00034478) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Ziemski include failing to properly diagnose a patient. The patient died.

In November 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor Robert C. Boord (RC00048199) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with the terms and conditions of a prior order.

In November 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program granted Ty H. Buchanan a registration to practice as a nursing assistant (CA00040331). His nursing assistant registration is placed on probation. The Respiratory Care Program also placed his respiratory care practitioner license (LR00000161) on probation and he must comply with terms and conditions. Buchanan was convicted of three counts of first degree theft and three counts of forgery.

In November 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Carol L. Michell for certification by endorsement to practice as a nursing assistant (NC10034526). She may not reapply for five years. She was convicted of violating a domestic violence order, shoplifting and theft. She had a nursing assistant certificate but it expired in 2001.

In November 2005 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Mary T. Nolen (RN00141958) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used cocaine.

In November 2005 the Registered Counselor Program charged Carmetrus L. Patterson, an applicant to practice as a registered counselor (CA00006914), with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of driving under the influence, assault and driving with a suspended license. Carmetrus L. Patterson is also known as Carmetrus L. Parker.

In November 2005 the Dental Commission entered into an Agreed Order with dentist David A. Wagner (DE00006755). He agrees to comply with terms and conditions, including completing continuing education courses, refunding a patient and paying a $3,500 fine. Wagner provided treatment that fell below the standard and required additional treatment from other dentists.

In November 2005 the Nursing Assistant Program charged nursing assistant Terri M. Sagala (NC10054823) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations against Sagala include providing care to patients without direct supervision by a fully qualified caregiver and incorrectly performing glucose level checks on patients.

In November 2005 the Pharmacy Board granted the reinstatement request of Hanh M. Tu to practice as a pharmacist (PH00039828).

(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 November 2005 the Pharmacy Board granted the reinstatement request of George E. Benedetto, Jr. to practice as a pharmacist in Washington (PH00014573).

Hawaii: In November 2005 the Medical Commission charged Philip E. Zeidner, a physician licensed in Washington (MD00015673), with unprofessional conduct. He and/or those he supervised provided care to patients that was incompetent or negligent.

Oregon: In November 2005 the Pharmacy Board granted the reinstatement request of Bradley O. Wolfe to practice as a pharmacist in Washington (PH00021954).

Texas: In November 2005 the Medical Commission amended a statement of charges against Jerrold R. Albom, licensed to practice medicine in Washington (MC00015112). Albom allegedly appeared on television admitting he travels to Cambodia and pays to have sex with girls fourteen to sixteen years of age. In October 2004 the Ohio Medical Board denied his application to practice medicine and surgery in Ohio, based on Albom’s refusal to cooperate with an investigation into similar allegations. In December 2005, he surrendered his license in New York for failing to cooperate with a similar investigation.

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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