For immediate release: January 25, 2016 (16-007)
Contact: Media inquiries: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications Office 360-236-4074
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.
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’s website. Click on “Look up a healthcare provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health home page (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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In August 2015 the Secretary of Health entered an agreement with licensed practical nurse Lauren Bukovi (LP60455510) suspending her credential for at least six months. Bukovi had a sexual relationship with a client.
In August 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Chrystal A. Schreiner (NC10077601) for at least three years. Schreiner provided care to an 85-year-old, legally blind, vulnerable adult. Schreiner accepted $4,258 from the resident, and agreed to act as the resident’s legal agent when the resident created a durable power of attorney.
In August 2015 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse James R. Johnson (RN60085512) for at least two years. He didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract. Johnson tested positive for controlled substances for which he didn’t have prescriptions.
Cowlitz County
In August 2015 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional R. Russ (CP00000957) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. A 2015 agreement required Russ to terminate his Arizona psychology practice.
Island County
In August 2015 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of physician Lena Friend (MD60281106). She hasn’t responded to a commission investigator’s inquiry about a report that she left the U.S. Army for health-related reasons.
King County
In August 2015 the Licensed Mental Health Program modified an agreement with licensed mental health counselor David E. Weed (LH00008760) to require a mental health evaluation, and a fine. Weed’s license remains suspended in connection with a sexual relationship he had with a client.
In July 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant credentials of Joel Lee Sipes (NA60258721, NC60266638) for at least two years. Sipes told a vulnerable adult client that the client’s mother could be hit by a bus and die at any time. He also hit the client on the head. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined Sipes had physically and mentally abused a vulnerable adult. He can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In July 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant credentials of Waiyego E. Pearson (NA00149851, NC60312091) for two years. Pearson owns an adult family home that housed a resident who had previously jumped from a moving vehicle. She placed the resident, unaccompanied by a caregiver, into a van. The resident jumped from the moving van, sustaining severe injuries requiring hospitalization for several months. The state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow her to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In August 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Shannon F. Dixson (NA00150844) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential pending further action. In September 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended her credential for at least a year. At an adult family home she owned, Dixson left residents unattended for up to five hours. The state Department of Social and Health Services found she neglected two residents. Dixson cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Mason County
In August 2015 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Rosalie Simington (LP00040933), because she didn’t abide by terms of her probation.
In September 2015 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Carol Leann Decker (LP60198930). Decker gave medication to an adult family home resident without a physician’s order.
Pierce County
In August 2015 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Linda D. Garrison (NA00148708) for at least two years. Garrison worked at a facility for people with dementia. A patient had a care plan calling for a calm, non-argumentative approach. Garrison got into an argument with the patient and the two grabbed one another’s hair. As attempts were made to separate the two, the patient tripped, fell, and injured her head.
Snohomish County
In August 2015 the Social Worker Program withdrew charges against licensed social worker associate Jodie Lotzgesell (SC60160533).
In August 2015 the Osteopathic Board withdrew charges against osteopathic physician Chad Cleven (OP00001982).
In September 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program immediately suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Amanda Gloria Rios (NA60084485) after charging her with unprofessional conduct in August 2015. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Rios financially exploited a vulnerable adult. She cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Spokane County
In August 2015 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Mary Virginia Welch (NC10058349). While working at an assisted living facility, Welch improperly restrained a resident by locking her in her room. After determining that Welch physically abused the resident, the state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow Welch to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In September 2015 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program entered an agreement with chemical dependency professional Brian Timothy Mizoguchi (CP60145164) suspending his credential for at least two years. Mizoguchi didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract, relapsing on methamphetamine.
In July 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Anna M. Lafountain (NC10101368) for at least three years. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined Lafountain financially exploited a vulnerable adult by using the client’s debit card to pay her own telephone bill. Lafountain is not allowed to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In August 2015 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Chrystal Dawn Brunson (NA60245522) for at least two years. She admitted stealing items from an adult family home where she had worked.
Thurston County
In August 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Kimberly Dawn Chow (NA60505970) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. While working as a caregiver for an agency that served adults with disabilities, Chow allegedly grabbed a client’s arms and hit her. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Chow physically abused the client. She cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In June 2015 the Midwifery Program indefinitely suspended the credential of midwife in training Rhonda Lee Grantham (MT60399396). She performed midwifery services without a required preceptor present.
Yakima County
In August 2015 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Fabiola Maria Martinez (NA60036106) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2015 Martinez applied to activate her expired license. In 2014 she received a stay on a fourth-degree assault — domestic violence charge filed in connection with allegations that she kicked her mother in the stomach.
Out of State
California: In July 2015 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Yolanda Wai Ng (MD60150783) indefinitely suspending her credential. Ng refused to enter recommended treatment for cannabis dependence.
Montana: In August 2015 the Nursing Assistant Program dismissed charges against certified nursing assistant Jennifer Rosendahl (NC60381028).
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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