For immediate release: October 4, 2016 (16-113)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 July 2016 the Medical Commission reinstated the credential of physician Alan N. Hunt (MD00023685). Hunt’s license was suspended in 2008 in connection with prescription issues.
In July 2016 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Naughne Boyd (PY00000460) with unprofessional conduct. Boyd allegedly used improper testing for a client and billing was inaccurate.
In July 2016 the Medical Commission filed a corrected amended statement of charges against physician Geoffrey S. Ames (MD00026961), who allegedly provided improper treatment.
Clark County
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Carolyn J. Boundey (RN00060601) with unprofessional conduct. Boundey allegedly didn’t comply with terms of probation.
King County
In July 2016 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician William Scott McDonald (NT60216753) with unprofessional conduct. McDonald allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care in providing medical marijuana authorizations to 10 patients.
In July 2016 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Amber Guy (MA00021146) with unprofessional conduct. Guy allegedly had a sexual relationship with a client. Charges say Guy solicited financial assistance from him, including a false income verification, title transfer to a vehicle, tuition and living expenses, and large sums of cash.
In July 2016 the Massage Program amended an agreement conditionally granting a massage practitioner credential to Michael H. Searles II (MA60631904). In 2011 Searles was convicted in New Mexico of driving while intoxicated. In 2013 he was convicted in New Mexico of larceny. Searles must complete continuing education in law and ethics.
Kitsap County
In July 2016 the Chiropractic Commission modified an agreement with chiropractor Blake J. Wagner (CH00003095) which lowered a fine from $1,000 to $500 and gave him more time to complete continuing education. Wagner asked a patient for a loan.
In July 2016 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Daniel Fry (PY00002234) with unprofessional conduct. In group therapy sessions, Fry allegedly blurred boundaries between participant, facilitator and therapist roles. He allegedly made inappropriate comments to and acted inappropriately toward female clients, and reframed therapy in a way that contributed to marital discord and interfered with the therapy’s purpose. Charges say Fry physically blocked a client who tried to end therapy, and he refused to provide records to clients.
In July 2016 the Medical Commission withdrew a statement of charges against physician William M. Bauer (MD00035422).
Pierce County
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the licensed practical nurse credential of Gina Marie Weathers (LP00040977), placed her on probation and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Her license was suspended in 2011 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Crystal Lee Schwab (RN60249039) that requires her to re-enter and comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Schwab didn’t abide by previous substance abuse monitoring contracts.
In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Dennis Kinuthia Ngugi (NC60247238) that fines him $250, and requires him to complete continuing education in law and ethics, patient rights and dignity, and quality of life. Ngugi left a resident unattended who requires constant supervision. The state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow him to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Skagit County
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Ambrosia Cyan Snow (RN60297094) with unprofessional conduct. Snow allegedly didn’t comply with a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
Snohomish County
In July 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Jianmin Zhang that requires Zhang to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and pay a $1,000 fine. Zhang, who has no massage license, worked at a business that advertised massage.
In July 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Pavel Lomats of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Lomats allegedly advertised and offered to provide massage services for a fee despite having no massage license.
In July 2016 the Massage Program withdrew a statement of charges against massage practitioner Matthew Scott Bliss (MA60236633).
Spokane County
In July 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Heather M. Pierce of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Pierce allegedly advertised massage services and represented herself as a licensed massage practitioner despite having an expired license.
Thurston County
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Rebecca Lynn Taylor (RN60105132) that requires her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Taylor tested positive for morphine after being observed as being impaired while she was working at a skilled nursing facility.
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission reinstated the licensed practical nurse credential of Christy L. Bamberger (LP00048539), which was suspended in 2014 after the Colorado State Board of Nursing suspended her license to practice in that state.
In June 2016 the Medical Commission withdrew an amended statement of charges against physician Sheila M. Smitherman (MD00049355).
Whatcom County
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Cindy L. Mauler (RN00095587).
Yakima County
In July 2016 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Ronald Couturier (DO00001001) with unprofessional conduct. Couturier allegedly provided substandard care to an elderly dementia patient who subsequently died. Charges say Couturier didn’t comprehensively evaluate the patient’s medical issues, diagnosed the patient with schizophrenia without consulting a psychiatric expert, and prescribed high dosages of antipsychotics for the patient despite warnings of associated increased mortality risks in geriatric patients.
In July 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Bonnie Jean Beebe (CO60659586), placed her on probation, and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Once in 2012 and twice in 2013 Beebe was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Out of State
Colorado: In July 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Comfort Dental Group Inc., Kent McMahan, Graig Bears and CDWA LLC of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. McMahan and Bears allegedly don’t have Washington dental licenses, but bought dental office franchise rights from Comfort Dental on behalf of CDWA and resold subfranchises in at least 14 Washington locations.
Missouri: In June 2016 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Rebecca Elaine Kimbell (RN60641862). In 2014 Kimbell was convicted in Missouri of driving while intoxicated—alcohol, and driving while intoxicated—alcohol—prior offender.
New Jersey: In July 2016 the Pharmacy Commission reinstated the pharmacy technician credential of Krista K. Converse (VA00041510). Her license was revoked in 2006 after she admitted diverting controlled substances.
Tennessee: In July 2016 the Nursing Commission filed an amended statement of charges against registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Rachel Baird Carlton (RN60555170, AP60555171) to add that she surrendered her California nursing credentials in May 2016.
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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