State disciplines health care providers

For immediate release: September 7, 2016                                   (16-102)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy assistant Marianne Julia Folk (VB60286073) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Folk agreed to participate in drug court after being charged with first-degree theft in connection with taking about 17,000 narcotic tablets from the pharmacy where she worked.

Chelan County

In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Kristin M. Romig (NC60334254) to add allegations that Romig has a chemical dependency, and requiring her to be evaluated and treated for that dependency.

Clark County

In July 2016 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Lindsey Rogers (MA60143142) with unprofessional conduct. While her credential was expired, Rogers allegedly offered to perform massage.

In July 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist and moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit holder Sanjeev Sharma (DE00008301, CS10000466) with unprofessional conduct. Sharma allegedly supervised treatment of a patient by a surgeon who wasn’t certified to sedate the patient and the patient was conscious during an extensive grafting treatment that required a hammer and chisel. The patient allegedly asked the surgeon to stop, but instead was restrained in order to complete the procedure. Sharma also allegedly agreed to provide follow-up treatment, but instead closed his practice. Allegations say Sharma also improperly placed implants in two other patients.

Franklin County

In July 2016 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Cresensio Acevedo (HM60433195) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Acevedo engaged in inappropriate behavior in the room of an elderly patient with dementia and Parkinson’s disease who was sleeping nearby. Acevedo allegedly took the patient’s wallet from her purse without permission, after which about $15 was discovered missing.

Grays Harbor County

In July 2016 the Counselor Program charged agency-affiliated counselor Laurie L. Hahn (CG60152520) with unprofessional conduct. Hahn allegedly denied and then admitted smoking marijuana with a client, and selling marijuana to the client.

King County

In July 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a certified medical assistant credential to Brittany Nichole Johnson (CM60559992) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. On her application, Johnson admitted using substances that might impair her ability to practice safely, and after being denied a license, Johnson completed a substance use evaluation.

In July 2016 the Chiropractic Commission withdrew a statement of charges against chiropractor Scott V. Mindel (CH00003016).

In July 2016 the Psychology Board ended conditions on the credential of psychologist Harry A. Atlas (PY00001159).

In July 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Wayne Glenn McDade Jr. (CG60340037) and ordered him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2014 McDade was convicted of unlawful solicitation to possess a controlled substance.

In July 2016 the Medical Commission amended a statement of charges against physician Alan Bunin (MD00010954) to add details about Bunin’s alleged substandard treatment of an elderly dementia patient.

In July 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist Kuzi S. Hsue (DE00006736) with unprofessional conduct. Hsue allegedly provided substandard patient treatment and improper billing.

In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Shalundra T. Johnson (NC60523932) with unprofessional conduct. On her application, Johnson allegedly lied about her criminal history.

In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Lena M. Holz (NA00182636) with unprofessional conduct. Holz allegedly had a sexual relationship with a patient.

Lewis County

In July 2016 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Tiffany Kristina Smith, also known as Tiffany Evans and Tiffany Evans Smith, that requires her to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and pay a $1,000 fine. Smith, who doesn’t have a massage practitioner license, represented herself as a massage practitioner.

Mason County

In August 2016 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program dismissed charges against chemical dependency professional Darrell R. Chambers (CP60001706).

Pierce County

In July 2016 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Sheldon G. Morton (MA00022920) with unprofessional conduct. Morton allegedly didn’t submit adequate proof of having completed required continuing education.

Snohomish County

In July 2016 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Saikrishna Arumilli (PH00039402) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Arumilli was arrested after he drove his car through a fence separating a residential area from the pharmacy where he worked. Arumilli allegedly was lethargic and unsteady on his feet, and tested positive for substances for which he had no prescriptions. Arumilli was arrested in connection with possession of controlled substances after being observed with bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and being unsteady at work, charges say. He allegedly possessed and again tested positive for substances for which he had no prescriptions. Charges say an audit showed thousands of pills had been diverted from pharmacies where Arumilli worked as a responsible pharmacy manager.

Whatcom County

In July 2016 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist Faith R. Bult (DE00009293) that fines her $5,000 and requires her to reimburse the commission $2,000 in expenses. Bult must pass a jurisprudence exam, and complete continuing education in recordkeeping and risk management. Bult practiced beyond her scope by performing cosmetic facial treatment to multiple patients. She also didn’t meet the standard of care in treating a dental patient, and kept inadequate records.

In July 2016 the Naturopathy Board entered an agreement with naturopathic physician V. Joseph Wessels (NT00000376) that fines him $5,000, reprimands him, restrains his prescribing authority, and subjects his practice to monitoring for at least three years. Wessels wrote more than 400 prescriptions beyond his scope. He surrendered his DEA registration for controlled substances for Schedule 3 through 5 drugs.

In July 2016 the Dental Commission ended probation for dental assistant Lorna Margaret Phair (D160225817).

Walla Walla County

In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Christine Dickerson (NC10095818) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Dickerson had access to a client’s debit card, and the card was used for a PayPal account the client didn’t have.

Yakima County

In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Brandy Nicole Videgar (NC60515699) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Videgar accepted about $50,000 from a vulnerable adult resident for whom she was a caregiver, and from the resident’s husband, violating the policy of the company for which she worked. Videgar allegedly used the money to buy a house. The state Department of Social and Health services determined that Videgar financially exploited the resident.

Out of State