For immediate release: November 3, 2017 (17-156)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Jefferson County
In October 2017 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Ilana Smith (MA) with unprofessional conduct. For more than a year and a half, charges say, Smith practiced with an expired credential, and advertised herself as a licensed massage therapist without including her credential number.
King County
In October 2017 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Staten C. Medsker Jr. (CH00002796) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Medsker advertised and hosted an event with a goal of breaking a world record by adjusting 10,000 patients in a day. Medsker allegedly subsequently asserted that the event was a marketing tool, that he saw about 100 people, and that a cleaning crew threw away patient records while he left them unattended. The chiropractor also allegedly falsely advertised that he is a massage therapist, but has no such license.
In October 2017 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Melissa Jean Kinyoun (CO60777514) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 1999 and 2013, Kinyoun was convicted of two felonies and 11 gross misdemeanors.
In October 2017 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Amy Morgan of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Morgan allegedly advertised providing hypnotherapy services, but didn’t have a hypnotherapist license.
Kitsap County
In October 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ronald Schroeder (NA60484722) with unprofessional conduct. Schroeder allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a resident of an assisted living facility where he worked.
Pierce County
In October 2017 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Heidi Bee of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Bee allegedly advertised as a certified foot zone practitioner, and treated patients for a fee, without a reflexologist credential.
Snohomish County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for certified nursing assistant Lisa Nichole Ellefsen (NC10097969).
Out of State
Oregon: In October 2017 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a registered nurse credential to Rebecca Clair Pulito (RN60740390) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Pulito’s Oregon nurse license was revoked in 2017 after she didn’t comply with a monitoring program.
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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