For immediate release: March 16, 2022 (22-038)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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., dentists, nurses, counselors). Information about disciplinary action taken against medical doctors and physician assistants can be found on the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) website. Questions about WMC disciplinary actions can be sent to media@wmc.wa.gov.
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 February 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Nicolle Melanie Caroline Rushton (NA60922449) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly going to work intoxicated.
In February 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional trainee Robert Lee Sauers (CG60665130, CO60962532) with unprofessional conduct for failing to comply with a 2020 agreement. Specifically, Sauers allegedly failed to submit quarterly reports and to complete continuing education requirements in the agreement.
Clark County
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Janet Elizabeth Scurlock (LP60178939) with unprofessional conduct after the Oregon State Board of Nursing revoked her license for failing to comply with substance use treatment and monitoring requirements.
Jefferson County
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Sara Leslie Campbell (RN00166893) entered an agreement that requires Campbell to participate in a substance use monitoring program after Campbell diverted a controlled substance.
King County
In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Taylor Jonathon Richards (CO61238907). Richards’ license will be on probation for a year, during which a qualified professional will supervise his practice and his supervisor will submit quarterly performance evaluations. Richards was convicted of assault in a domestic violence setting, theft, and four other offenses between 2014 and 2017.
In February 2022 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery and osteopathic physician Stephen Michael O'Connell (OP60194659) entered an agreement that requires him to obtain a substance abuse assessment and follow required treatment and monitoring. O’Connell was charged with unprofessional conduct for violating a prior agreement by relapsing on alcohol and by submitting an invalid biological fluid test.
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Daniel Richard Howard (RN60465310) with unprofessional conduct after Howard allegedly left his workplace while on duty and returned wearing only boxer shorts and a scrub shirt, and failed to provide a statement as requested by the Nursing Commission.
Kitsap County
In February 2022 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Tara Jean Larsen-Overstreet (LH60393078) with unprofessional conduct. Larsen-Overstreet began a romantic relationship and married a former patient after she had counseled both him and his wife, and him individually. She also failed to keep appropriate progress notes on the counseling.
Skagit County
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner anesthetist Mark James Padrnos (RN00107541, AP30004443-CRNA) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly engaging in a romantic and sexual relationship with a patient.
San Juan County
In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a clinical social worker license to Anna Noel (LW61055975). Her license as an agency affiliated counselor was placed on probation for 24 months in September 2021 subject to conditions.
Snohomish County
In February 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Shelly Marie Rumple (NA00104334).
Spokane County
In February 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Ashli E. Paladie (NC10090219).
Out of State
California: In February 2022 the secretary of health withdrew charges against Richard James Brightheart (MA00001762).
Maryland: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Melissa Lissette Abramowicz (RN60598848) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly diverting propofol from the workplace for personal use.
Oregon: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse license of Melanie Alexandria Abrigo (RN6117100).
Oregon: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse license of Ashley Renee Crawford (LP60851639).
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.
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