For immediate release: December 20, 2016 (16-146)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.
The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health website (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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Benton County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Jill Elizabeth Bocol (RN00131423) that reinstates her credential, places her on probation and requires her to continue participating in a substance abuse monitoring program. Bocol’s license was suspended in 2013. She didn’t comply with a mandatory drug and alcohol monitoring program. Bocol was incarcerated for violating a work release agreement, forged signatures on documents that she gave to her work release officer, failed to report that she had a driving while intoxicated conviction, and didn’t tell the monitoring program personnel that she had two previous driving while intoxicated charges before entering the program. She also lied about her prescribing physician being an addiction specialist, and opened a business that set-up medication and performed tests without approval from the monitoring program. In 2015 Bocol was convicted of driving while intoxicated.
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Marlena D. Morningstar (RN00089630) that requires her to continue participating in a substance abuse monitoring program. Morningstar admitted diverting narcotics from the hospital where she worked.
Clark County
In November 2016 the secretary of health ended conditions on the credential of massage practitioner Karol N. Rich (MA60033481).
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Amber R. Jordan (RN00144182).
Cowlitz County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Shelly A. Miller (RN00149295), who must continue participating in a substance abuse monitoring program. Miller’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.
King County
In November 2016 the secretary of health ended conditions on the credentials of mental health counselor and chemical dependency professional Kelly L. Rundle (LH00005229, CP00006382).
In November 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist Joseph R. Zimmer (DE00006267) with unprofessional conduct. Zimmer allegedly didn’t fulfill a patient’s request for her dental records, and denied that the patient had made the request. He allegedly disclosed a second patient’s name and health care information on an Internet site, and made derogatory comments about the patient. Charges say Zimmer hasn’t responded to a Department of Health investigator’s inquiry.
In November 2016 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Vicki Lynn Hayes (MA60214771) with unprofessional conduct. Hayes allegedly didn’t fulfill continuing education requirements.
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Kathleen Marie Naughton (RN00117515, AP30003969).
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Samantha Kay Burrow (CO60689887) and placed her on probation for at least two years. In 2013 Burrow was convicted of first-degree rendering criminal assistance.
In November 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist Peter M. Cha (DE00006848) with unprofessional conduct. Cha allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care in diagnosing and treating a patient.
Klickitat County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Derek Alan Greenwood (RN60666998). In 2016 Greenwood was charged with residential burglary, possession of a controlled substance —methamphetamine, and possessing a stolen firearm.
Pacific County
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Lindey Kaelin Ginther (CO60653017), placed her on probation, directed her to complete continuing education in law and ethics, and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2014 Ginther was convicted of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine.
Pierce County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kenya Elaine Joseph (RN60098504) with unprofessional conduct. Joseph allegedly didn’t abide by terms of probation.
Skagit County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Glenda S. Small (RN00163414) that places her on probation for at least 18 months, fines her $1,000, and requires her to complete continuing education in documentation. Small withdrew narcotics at the hospital where she worked without documenting administering or disposing of them.
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Nancy Kay Rogerson (CG60662636) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Rogerson’s registered nurse license was suspended in 2014 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. She was denied a chemical dependency professional trainee credential in 2015 because of multiple substance abuse issues.
Snohomish County
In November 2016 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacist Amin Surani (PH00059648) that places him on probation for at least two years and fines him $5,000. Surani may not serve as a preceptor or supervise interns, must write an essay, and complete continuing education in law and ethics. Surani filled hundreds of fraudulent prescriptions for controlled substances.
In October 2016 the Nursing Commission denied a licensed practical nurse credential to Ronald Mark Watson (LP60688471), whose California vocational nurse credential was revoked in 2015.
Spokane County
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a registered medical assistant credential to Todd Allen Dixon (MR60684962) and placed him on probation. Dixon must continue to abide by conditions on his certified nursing assistant license.
In November 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist James Gerard Hood (DE00005437) with unprofessional conduct. Hood allegedly didn’t keep adequate chart notes and didn’t properly store sterilized instruments.
Thurston County
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Leandra Dishan Calhoun (CG60673119), placed her on probation, directed her to complete continuing education in law and ethics, and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2011 Calhoun was convicted of first-degree robbery.
In November 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist Thomas F. Tilson (DE00007235) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say after being arrested on a simple assault charge, Tilson abruptly closed his practice without notifying his patients. Department of Health investigators allegedly recovered financial records, some containing confidential patient information, from a garbage bin outside Tilson’s office.
Out of State
California: In November 2016 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Alicia Kathleen Holland (RN60556296). In 2015 Holland was charged in California with five offenses, including grand theft in connection with theft of more than $100,000 from a prison, along with charges alleging she impersonated a nurse.
Montana: In November 2016 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Laura Jill Gehring (MA00005396) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Gehring didn’t submit proof of having met continuing education requirements.
Texas: In November 2016 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of Betty Louise Taylor (RN60255167) and placed her on probation for at least one year. Taylor’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t comply with a requirement to submit performance evaluation reports.
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.
The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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