For immediate release: December 15, 2016 (16-144)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Clallam County
In June 2016 the secretary of health ended the suspension of health care assistant Heidi Loraine Allencastre (HC60156094).
Clark County
In June 2016 the secretary of health ended the suspension of health care aide Shirley Elizabeth Denlinger, also known as Shirley E. Combs (HC00146247), whose license was suspended in 2009 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
In June 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Jennifer Lynn Canaan (CG60633250), whose chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional credentials were placed on probation in 2016.
Cowlitz County
In June 2016 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacist and pharmacist preceptor Steve Lee Pascuzzi (PH60051766, PH60202479) that lifts his license suspension and requires monitoring of his practice. Pascuzzi must undergo a mental health evaluation, and enter into a contract with a recovery assistance program. Pascuzzi took fentanyl patches from his place of employment and was found to have overdosed on them.
Island County
In June 2016 the Counselor Program withdrew a statement of charges against agency-affiliated counselor Cindy Lee McDougall (CG60222367).
King County
In June 2016 the Medical Commission filed an amended statement of charges against physician Richard C. Rooney (MD00040889) to reflect that Rooney successfully appealed a criminal sentence in a fraud, money laundering and conspiracy case.
Lewis County
In June 2016 the Chiropractic Commission withdrew a statement of charges against chiropractor Joshua D. Blume (CH00034874).
Pierce County
In June 2016 the Counselor Program charged agency-affiliated counselor David Sinclair Canwell (CG60590014) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say a patient reported that Canwell told him that other counselors were against him and might write bad reports on him, and that Canwell solicited him to buy, sell and trade narcotics. Canwell allegedly continued to exploit the patient even after being fired from his job, and suggested to the patient he had a personal relationship with a mental health court judge.
In June 2016 the Counselor Program reinstated the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Natasha Nicole Young (CG60526540) and placed her on probation until at least June 19, 2017. Young’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t comply with requirements to submit either performance evaluations or unemployment reports.
Snohomish County
In June 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Jeremiah Glen Burks (CO60648578), placed him on probation and ordered him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2009 Burks was convicted of driving while intoxicated. In 2015 he was convicted of criminal solicitation.
In June 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Kathryn Gemma Bushfield (RN00099117, AP30004033) with unprofessional conduct. Bushfield allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Spokane County
In June 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Debbie Lynn Dent (CO60628637) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 1997 Dent was convicted in Kansas of forgery and in 1998 she was convicted in Washington of two counts of forgery. In 2010 she was convicted of violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act – possession of cocaine, and complicity to third-degree theft. In 2011 she was convicted of third-degree theft, and driving while intoxicated.
In June 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional credential to Tanya K. Sturm (CP60642698). Sturm must undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program, and complete continuing education in professional law and ethics. Sturm conditionally received a chemical dependency professional trainee license in 2014. Her registered nursing assistant license was suspended in 2012 because of narcotics theft and use.
In June 2016 the secretary of health ended conditions on the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Larry Reid (CO60379273).
Thurston County
In June 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a massage practitioner credential to Audriana Kristina Haisch (MA60541215) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2010 Haisch was convicted of second-degree burglary and shoplifting.
Yakima County
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Ernestine Morrison (NC10001377) with unprofessional conduct. Morrison allegedly admitted to not weighing a resident of the facility where she worked, but falsely recording the patient’s weight.
Out of State
Oregon: In June 2016 the Psychology Board reprimanded psychologist David Thomas Bice (PY00001162) and placed him on probation for at least one year. The Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners reprimanded Bice in 2012 in connection with his behavior toward a teenage female patient.
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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