For immediate release: October 19, 2017 (17-149)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Clark County
In October 2017 the secretary of health lifted the license suspension of registered nursing assistant Chelsey Rae Atkins (NA60523460) and fined her $250. She must complete continuing education in errors and mistakes, and in medical records documentation. Atkins’s license was suspended in August 2017 in response to a finding that she neglected a vulnerable adult in her care.
Grays Harbor County
In September 2017 the secretary of health denied a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Amanda Marianne Deubert (CO60745994). Between 2007 and 2015, Deubert was convicted of two felonies and two gross misdemeanors. Deubert didn’t fulfill a requirement to agree to a substance abuse monitoring contract.
King County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for agency-affiliated counselor Ethan William Shurick (CG60436683).
In October 2017 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Nicole Renee Dollarhide (CM60374094) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that Dollarhide tested positive for drugs on two occasions. She allegedly didn’t respond to a Department of Health investigator’s inquiry.
In October 2017 the Medical Commission modified an agreement with physician Arthur K. Zilberstein (MD00035662) to end probation on his credential, and to remove a weekly psychotherapy requirement.
Kitsap County
In October 2017 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Christie Featherstone-Heroux (HM60565194) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while Featherstone-Heroux was providing care for a vulnerable, elderly patient with Alzheimer’s disease, she left the patient alone and unattended for a significant period. She allegedly was highly intoxicated from alcohol while she was in the patient’s home.
Lewis County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for registered nursing assistant applicant and certified nursing assistant Sara Diana Vasquez (NA60339413, NC60358470).
Pierce County
In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for licensed independent clinical social worker Michael K. Strub (LW00004263).
Spokane County
In October 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jesse Edward Martin (NA60487833) with unprofessional conduct. Martin allegedly didn’t give a resident his seizure medication, but documented that he had.
In October 2017 the Medical Commission ended an agreement that placed conditions on the credential of physician Lewis J. Meline (MD00041815).
In October 2017 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Edwin D. Robins (MD00035964) that places his credential under oversight for at least five years and fines him $4,000. The physician must cooperate with a clinical skills assessment and recommendation. He must also complete ethics courses, have his lab undergo inspections, and submit to practice reviews. Robins provided substandard treatment and consultation to patients at a reproductive health center he owned, and employed unqualified personnel.
Out of State
California: In October 2017 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a registered nurse credential to Mariya Igor Fair (RN60320185) and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Fair is in a California diversion program for a substance abuse disorder.
Minnesota: In October 2017 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional, independent clinical social worker associate, and independent clinical social worker Coy Robert Osgood (CP60065645, SC60229390, LW60496502).
Oregon: In October 2017 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant credential of Rogeanna Sue Hug (NC10091783), which was suspended in 2012 after a resident she transferred by herself fell and was injured.
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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