For immediate release: December 9, 2016 (16-141)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Clark County
In September 2016 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Barry Alan Galarneau Jr. (NA60645067). Between 1997 and 2014, Galarneau was convicted of seven felonies and eight gross misdemeanors.
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Melissa R. Cummings (RN00165986).
Cowlitz County
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Tyler Justin McVey (NC60186735) to reflect that in 2016 he was convicted of first-degree rape of a child and first-degree child molestation.
In November 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Chandel J. Lien that requires Lien to cease and desist from practicing veterinary medicine without a license, and pay a $1,000 fine. Lien lacks a veterinarian or veterinary technician license, but advertised and performed veterinary services.
Island County
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Jessie Linnae Fast (RN60141517) with unprofessional conduct. Fast allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
King County
In November 2016 the Medical Commission charged physician assistant Cheryl M. Mielbrecht (PA10005359) with unprofessional conduct. Mielbrecht allegedly didn’t comply with a directive from a substance abuse monitoring program to undergo an evaluation.
In October 2016 the Certified Counselor Program modified an agreement with certified counselor Samuel Conrad Zeiler (CL60168241) to place him on probation until at least May 13, 2017, and fine him $1,500. Zeiler must complete continuing education in professional law, ethics, and counseling scope of practice. Zeiler didn’t meet the standard of care by failing to give an elderly client adequate information about nutritional supplements he sold, keeping inadequate records, and practicing beyond his scope.
In October 2016 the secretary of health denied an interim medical assistant credential to Jamel Ashton Ervin (IC60581765). In 2014 Ervin was convicted in Oklahoma of driving while intoxicated, and driving without insurance. In 2016 Ervin was convicted of reckless driving.
In November 2016 the Medical Commission modified an agreement with physician Jerry N. Mixon (MD00023643) to restrict his ability to advertise or practice treatment involving human growth hormone. Mixon was placed on probation in 2013. He advertised the Longevity Medical Clinic, offering “comprehensive hormone supplementation” as an anti-aging remedy. He also treated patients who didn’t have abnormally deficient hormonal levels and didn’t do adequate tests, thus not meeting the standard of care. Mixon’s treatments violated federal and state laws.
In November 2016 the Naturopathy Board withdrew a statement of charges against naturopathic physician Tristin Hilary Christine Wallace (NT60083023).
In November 2016 the Massage Program ended conditions on the massage practitioner credential of Michael H. Searles II (MA60631904).
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Kebede B. Abawaji (NC10081206) with unprofessional conduct. In 2015 Abawaji was convicted of second-degree attempted murder, and felony harassment – domestic violence
Kittitas County
In November 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a massage practitioner credential to Lysa Rue Hulderson (MA60658256) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Hulderson’s registered nurse license was suspended in 2006 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.
Okanogan County
In November 2016 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Shelly Sue Zwieg (LH60301897) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Zwieg was convicted of attempted custodial assault, driving while intoxicated, and possession of a legend drug – without a prescription.
Pierce County
In November 2016 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Jennifer R. Trefonas (LH00006947) with unprofessional conduct. Trefonas allegedly didn’t comply with a requirement to undergo a mental examination.
In November 2016 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Carlina Revae Lowe (CM60539834) with unprofessional conduct. Lowe allegedly diverted and tried to divert controlled substances by using fraudulently written prescriptions.
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Denis Mururu Tarichia (NA60309438) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Tarichia was convicted of one count of second-degree malicious mischief, and two counts of third-degree assault.
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Joe Kiroyan (NA00200905) with unprofessional conduct. Kiroyan allegedly solicited and accepted $100 from a resident of an adult family home where he worked.
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Joice M. Senduk (NA00200903) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Senduk solicited and accepted $100 from a resident of an adult family home where she worked.
Snohomish County
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Victoria N. Guadamuz (NC60416068) that fines her $250 and requires her to complete continuing education in ethics. Guadamuz renewed her license and then asked her financial institution to stop payment of the fee.
Spokane County
In November 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for midwife Tamra K. Roloff (MW00000283).
In November 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse James S. Sissons Jr. (RN00127856) with unprofessional conduct. Sissons allegedly admitted diverting narcotics.
Thurston County
In November 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant MaryAnn Mullins (NC60293246) with unprofessional conduct. Mullins allegedly arrived at a patient’s home to provide home care services after drinking a bottle of wine the previous night, drank gin and juice while at the patient’s home, had to lie down in a spare bedroom, and subsequently disclosed she’s under treatment for alcohol misuse.
Walla Walla County
In November 2016 the Medical Commission modified an agreement with physician Gerald Craigg (MD00044814) to revise sanctions of a 2015 agreement. Following a competency assessment, the commission revised some restrictions on his ability to prescribe certain narcotics or controlled substances. Craigg’s license was restricted in 2015 based on charges that he overprescribed narcotics to some patients. The commission will monitor Craigg for the next four years.
Yakima County
In November 2016 the Dental Commission filed an amended statement of charges against dentist Robert Manuel Pinon (DE60501352). Pinon allegedly lied to police and behaved erratically after a traffic accident, violated a contract involving controlled substance use, failed to report the use, and was unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety on at least one occasion because of controlled substance use.
Out of State
Indiana: In November 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Julia Adele Post (RN00127185) with unprofessional conduct. Post allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Oregon: In November 2016 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacist Lynne Renee Workman (PH60234429) that requires her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2016 Workman pleaded guilty to two counts of possession of a controlled substance, and one count of third-degree theft, in connection with diverting drugs from the pharmacy where she worked.
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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