For immediate release: July 14, 2008  (08-116)

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

State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA ¾ The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.

The department's Health Professions 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.

Chelan
Cowlitz
Douglas
Grays Harbor
King
Mason
Okanogan
Pierce
Spokane
Whatcom
Yakima
Out of State

In May 2008 the Nursing Commission denied the reactivation application of licensed practical nurse applicant Cathy M. Schell (LP00042947). She was convicted of theft and failed to disclose the conviction on her reactivation application. Schell cannot reapply for 18 months.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Ofelia Rodica Balea (NA00127010) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly falsified the tuberculosis screening results for an employee who was employed at the adult family home she owned or operated.

In May 2008 the Registered Counselor and Sex Offender Treatment Provider Programs denied the application of sex offender treatment provider applicant Olivia E. Lovely and placed her counselor registration on probation for a year (RC00023999 and AF10000178). She provided sex offender treatment services to patients without a credential to do so, failed to immediately report sexual abuse of a child to Department of Social and Health Services, and failed to provide complete disclosure statements to patients. She must comply with terms and conditions and cannot reapply for one year.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the reactivation application of certified nursing assistant applicant Shelly L. Osborn (NC10084601). She was convicted of bail jumping and failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the conviction. Osborn cannot reapply for five years.

In May 2008 the Dental Commission reinstated the license of dentist Thomas Keith Michael (DE00005736).

In May 2008 the Examining Board of Psychology charged psychologist applicant Ryan D. Donahue (PY00003754) with unprofessional conduct. Donahue's Kansas psychologist license was restricted.

In May 2008 the Board of Pharmacy denied the application of pharmacy assistant applicant Frank Castaneda (VB00068353). He was convicted of possession of marijuana over 40 grams. He cannot reapply for five years.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program vacated a 2003 order of default against Natasha D. Cook (NA60013137).

In May 2008 the Registered Counselor Program placed the credential of registered counselor Florence Greff (RC00003333) on probation for one year. She inadvertently identified herself as a psychologist and failed to provide adequate disclosure statements to patients. She must comply with the terms and conditions set against her license.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the reactivation application of nursing assistant applicant Pamela M. Herod (NA00006352). She was convicted of reckless endangerment. She cannot reapply until 2010.

In May 2008 the Dental Commission charged Richard I. Johnson (DE00006129) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of driving under the influence on two different occasions.

In May 2008 the Medical Commission entered into an agreed order with physician Dan E. Ranniger (MD00005641). He failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against his license. Ranniger will surrender his license on June 30, 2008.

In May 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Victor N. Shornal (HC00133791) with unprofessional conduct. While performing an EKG he allegedly had a patient take off her gown from the waist up and made her feel uncomfortable during the exam.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Lynn Knutz (NC10101466) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of nursing assistant applicant Amanda M Axtell (NA00195192) and placed her registration on probation for three years. She was convicted of criminal trespass and delivery of a controlled substance ¾  marijuana. She also received a deferred sentence for assault. Axtell must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

In May 2008 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Karla M. Finley (RN00137011) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicants, failure to perform the duties of a driver, and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

In May 2008 the Registered Counselor Program charged registered counselor applicant Kent Gebhardt (RC00060193) with unprofessional conduct. His license to practice as an osteopathic physician in Washington was indefinitely suspended.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program reprimanded Wilfredo Ortiz (NA00121470). He was punched by a patient and Ortiz responded by punching the patient resulting in a continued fight.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the reactivation application of nursing assistant applicant Jordan K. Rinehart (NA00166905). He was convicted of shoplifting and theft. Rinehart cannot reapply for five years.

In May 2008 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of health care assistant applicant Michael E. Robinson (HC00153311) and placed his license on probation for two years. He was convicted of obstructing a law enforcement officer and failed to disclose the conviction on his application. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Ashley B. Orne (NA00201507). She was convicted of theft, malicious mischief, assault, forgery, and taking a motor vehicle without permission. She failed to disclose the convictions on her application and failed to respond to department inquiries regarding her convictions. Orne cannot reapply for five years.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Brandy A. Scott (NA00197797). She was convicted of fraudulent receipt of public assistance. She cannot reapply for five years.

In May 2008 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Joost L. Knops (MD00031678) on probation for an indefinite period of time. While performing a CO2 laser excision of vocal chord lesions on a patient he failed to replace an endotracheal tube which was perforated with the laser before the excision was completed. He also failed to communicate with the anesthesiologist regarding the oxygen being used, and used cottonoids around the tube. The cottonoids around the tube caught fire and caused permanent injuries that affect the patient's ability to breath, eat, and speak. Knops must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In May 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of nursing assistant applicant Marla J. Hernandez (NA00200644). Her license to practice as a health care assistant in Washington was suspended. She cannot reapply until her license to practice as a health care assistant has been fully reinstated.

Arizona: In May 2008 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse Debra D. Ayres (RN00095568).

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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