For immediate release: January 26, 2016 (16-008)
Contact: Media inquiries: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications Office 360-236-4074
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 August 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Brian L. Andersen to cease and desist from practicing as a nursing assistant without a valid license, and fined him $250. Andersen practiced as a nursing assistant with an expired license.
In September 2015 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Allison Belnap (LP00042576) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly hasn’t completed a refresher course required as part of a 2013 stipulation.
Cowlitz County
In September 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tyler Justin McVey (NC60186735) with unprofessional conduct. In June 2015 McVey was charged with first-degree rape of a child and first-degree child molestation in Thurston County Superior Court.
King County
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Shou Fang Xue that requires her to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and pay a $1,000 fine. Xue practiced massage on a client without a massage practitioner credential which , resulted in her arrest.
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Pang Pang Liang to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and pay a $1,000 fine. Liang doesn’t have a massage practitioner credential, but was observed performing massage.
In September 2015 the Naturopathy Board entered an agreement with naturopathic physician Steven Paul MacPherson (NT00000643) that reprimands him. MacPherson’s practice will be monitored and restricted for three years. He must pay a $2,500 fine, and complete continuing education in risk management, diagnosis and treatment planning. He prescribed human chorionic gonadotropin for patients after Skype interviews, didn’t conduct adequate examinations and didn’t provide sufficient information to patients. MacPherson also inappropriately delegated patient oversight and contact to an unlicensed person.
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Zhengxiang Xiong that requires Xiong to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and pay a $500 fine. Xiong, who has no massage practitioner credential, practiced massage on two clients.
In September 2015 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Robert Jarczak (LP60440993) with unprofessional conduct. While Jarczak was assigned to provide in-home care for a medically fragile 11-year-old, the child’s parents allegedly found Jarczak sleeping several times.
In September 2015 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist Lawrence R. Stone (DE00002430) that fines him $750 and requires him repay the amount charged for four teeth he extracted without a patient’s consent.
In September 2015 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the credential of dental assistant Fatima Lanette Mitchell (D160329390).
In August 2015 the Medical Commission ended probation for physician Michael A. Leff (MD00014429).
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Aidi Zhang-Nelson of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Zhang-Nelson allegedly has no massage license, but told inspectors she provides massage services and owns a massage business.
Kitsap County
In September 2015 the secretary of health ended conditions on the registered nursing assistant credential of Jackson M. Muriuki (NA60008337).
Lewis County
In September 2015 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Loraine B. Smith (RN00161952) with unprofessional conduct. Smith allegedly submitted timecards misrepresenting the number of hours she worked and was paid for about 236 more hours than she worked.
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Lynda Schroeder of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Schroeder allegedly provided massage without a license.
Lincoln County
In September 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tristin Nichole Holmes (NC60208364) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Holmes admitted using drugs, but didn’t undergo substance abuse treatment to which she had agreed.
Snohomish County
In September 2015 the secretary of health conditionally granted an interim medical assistant credential to Kelly Renee Williams (IC60578579). She was placed on probation for at least one year, and ordered to complete continuing education in law and ethics. In 2005 Williams was convicted of second-degree identity theft. In 2006 she was convicted of forgery. In 2007 she was convicted of first-degree theft. In 2009 she didn’t comply with conditions to receive a health care assistant license.
In August 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Patricia Gail Humble to cease and desist from unlicensed practice as a registered nursing assistant and as a certified nursing assistant, and pay a $250 fine. Humble practiced as a nursing assistant after completing a training course and passing a skills exam, but without making sure her license application had been submitted.
In August 2015 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the credential of licensed practical nurse Veronica Quimen Owens (LP00049779).
In September 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Elana W. Kemple (NA00090759) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a skilled nursing facility, Kemple allegedly attempted a one-person transfer of an 83-year-old resident even though the resident’s care plan called for a two-person transfer. Charges say the resident slipped and fell about three feet to the floor, sustained fractures, and subsequently died.
Spokane County
In September 2015 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Trudy Kalynn Frantz (RN60017511) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Frantz entered a substance abuse monitoring program in 2012 after she admitted diverting drugs from the hospital where she worked. In 2015 she allegedly admitted diverting narcotics from another hospital where she had gone to work. Frantz allegedly hadn’t told the hospital she was in the monitoring program and hadn’t told the monitoring program she was working at the hospital.
Whatcom County
In September 2015 the Unlicensed Practice Program amended a notification to Jie Huang of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order, adding an allegation that Huang doesn’t have a massage practitioner license, but operated a business with a sign advertising foot reflexology.
Yakima County
In August 2015 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nurse credential of Mary E. Patterson (RN00061617), whose license was suspended in 2012 in connection with sexual contact with a patient.
Out of State
Vermont: In September 2015 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Vicki Dawne Ward (RN60267891, AP60267892) with unprofessional conduct. Ward’s New Mexico nurse and nurse practitioner licenses were revoked in 2015 in connection with an investigation into prescribing practices.
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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