State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

For immediate release: November 16, 2017  (17-159)

Contact:  Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office  360-549-6471
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 health care 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 October 2017 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Christopher P. Ramsey (PH00019694) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. Ramsey’s Oregon pharmacist license was suspended in June 2017 in connection with taking and unlawfully using medications that weren’t prescribed to him, and taking controlled substances he wasn’t prescribed before going to work.

Jefferson County

In October 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Jeannie M. Holmes (NC60330333), who tested positive for a controlled substance while at work. She didn’t have a valid prescription for the drug.

Kitsap County

In October 2017 the Medical Commission suspended for at least five years the physician credential of Narinder M. Duggal (MD00036603), with four years stayed in consideration of the time the physician has already been suspended from practice. Duggal’s license was first suspended in 2013. He didn’t meet Washington’s standard of practice in treating chronic pain patients, and committed sexual assault toward, and had sexual contact with, two patients. In the event he is reinstated, Duggal will be on probation for 60 months. He is restricted from treating female patients, must meet numerous conditions and pay a $10,000 fine in order to regain his license.

In October 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant James William Elger (NA60428407) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Elger mentally abused a vulnerable adult patient. He can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Skagit County

In October 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional credentials of Debbie J. Jemeyson (CP00005481, CG60475271). Jemeyson violated the standard of care with a patient, including buying the patient clothing and other personal items, massaging the patient’s legs, and giving the patient medication prescribed to Jemeyson.

Snohomish County

In October 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Christopher James Schiffler (NC60393221). Schiffler was placed on the abuse registry by the state Department of Social and Health Services. He is prohibited from caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In October 2017 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Catherine Daphane Lang (NC60468085) for at least five years. While providing care for two vulnerable adults, a married couple, Lang forged checks totaling about $16,000, used the wife’s name to transfer $110,000 into an account from which she wrote herself checks, and bought herself an automobile using the wife’s name. The state Department of Social and Health Services found that Lang financially exploited two vulnerable adults. She can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Yakima County

In October 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional credential of Melanie I. Miller (CP00005029). After testing positive for methamphetamine, Miller admitted using the controlled substance.