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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Chelan County

In October 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for physician Amy E. Ellingson, also known as Amy E. Hutton (MD00041306).

In October 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Caleb M. Vinson (NC60591207) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Vinson was fired from a senior living community because of a positive result on a drug screen and that Vinson failed to respond to an investigator’s request for information about the complaint.

Clark County

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant Jennifer Lynn Canaan (NA00189895) that allows her to reactivate her expired credential. Canaan must continue to comply with probationary terms on her chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional credentials.

Cowlitz County

In October 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Allison G. Anderson (NC10102101) with unprofessional conduct. While working at an assisted living facility, Anderson allegedly tested positive for amphetamine, morphine, and methamphetamine.

Douglas County

In October 2016 the secretary of health charged licensed practical nurse Susan L. Gelb (LP00031248) with unprofessional conduct. Gelb allegedly developed a romantic relationship with a patient, who at some point, moved into her home.

King County

In October 2016 the Naturopathy Board withdrew a statement of charges against naturopathic physician Xochitl Palomino (NT60184731).

In October 2016 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of Katerina M. Falkenberg (RN00127977), whose credential was suspended in 2009 after she didn’t comply with a requirement to undergo an evaluation of her mental health and physical status.

In October 2016 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician Elissa J. Mullen (NT00001570) with unprofessional conduct. Mullen allegedly prescribed hundreds of controlled substances, primarily narcotics and amphetamines, which is beyond the scope of practice of a naturopathic physician.

In October 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Trina Jo Clay (CG60645012), placed her on probation, and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 1996 and 2011, Clay was convicted of three felonies and nine gross misdemeanors. In 2014 she entered into deferred prosecution on a driving while intoxicated charge.

In October 2016 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician Que Areste (NT00000710) with unprofessional conduct. Areste allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care or legal requirements in issuing medical marijuana authorizations.

Kitsap County

In October 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Shaydon Casey Childers (CO60663548) and ordered him to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 2001 and 2011, Childers was convicted of seven felonies and three gross misdemeanors.

In October 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Jessica Lee McBride (CO60675806), placed her on probation, and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 2007 and 2013, McBride was convicted of two felonies and two gross misdemeanors.

Lewis County

In October 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Teresa J. Slighte (NC10019123) with unprofessional conduct. Slighte allegedly had a romantic and sexual relationship with an adult family home client to whom she had provided care.

In October 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Toni Nelson of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Nelson has no registered nurse license, but, while testifying in at least three court trials, allegedly represented herself as a nurse.

Pierce County

In October 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant James Njuguna (NC10096033) with unprofessional conduct. On his application to reactivate his credential, Njuguna allegedly gave false information about his disciplinary history. His Oregon nursing assistant license was revoked in 2015.

In October 2016 the Hearing and Speech Board entered an agreement with audiologist Keith David Condict (LD60282050) that lifts the suspension of his credential and places him on probation for at least two years. He must pay a $5,000 fine, and complete continuing education in professional law and ethics. Condict’s license was suspended in 2016 after his Idaho audiologist credential was revoked in 2014 in connection with fraudulent conduct.

Snohomish County

In October 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program withdrew a statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Bintu Drammeh, also known as Binta Drammeh and Bintu Daramy (NC60163167). The program also filed an amended statement of charges against her certified nursing assistant credential under the name Binta Drammeh (NC10058945) alleging she didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry.

In October 2016 the Nursing Commission reinstated the licensed practical nurse credential of Daniel W. Cook (LP60117443), which was suspended in 2016 after he didn’t comply with an order to undergo a mental examination.

In October 2016 the X-Ray Technician Program modified an agreement with X-ray technician Kimberly Lynn Bradley (XT00004070), who will be on probation until 2019 and must continue to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Bradley was disciplined in 2014 in connection with drug diversion.

Spokane County

In October 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Lea Kristine Whitcher (RN00120104) with unprofessional conduct. Whitcher allegedly practiced with a suspended license.

In September 2016 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Samuel Isaac Polsin (NA60632437). Polsin admitted sleeping while on duty when caring for a disabled client who required 24-hour supervision. The state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow Polsin to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.