OLYMPIA ¾ 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 70 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 (www.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.

Cowlitz County
In May 2012 the Medical Commission ended a credential suspension of physician Nila G. Jones (MD00040656) and placed her on probation for two years. Jones surrendered her Oregon license in January after she failed to comply with a corrective action order, and after providing patient care while her license was expired.

Grant County
In June 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of nursing assistant Mary Jane Collins (NC10037960) for two years. She was found to have a personal relationship and sexual misconduct with a patient. The patient reported Collins to her employer and she was fired.

 

Grays Harbor
In May 2012 the Department of Health suspended the credentials of X-ray technician (XT60196485) and health care assistant (HC60132898) Debra E. Bland. Bland ordered prescriptions for her own use without authorization from a physician.

King County
In May 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Socrates Bravo (NA60050837), for failing to comply with terms and conditions of his probation.  

In May 2012 the Osteopathic Board suspended the credential of osteopathic physician Delbert L. Whetstone (OP00001171) for five years. Whetstone prescribed inappropriate amounts of opiate medications, provided substandard care, had incomplete and inaccurate charting, and provided care when his license was expired.  

In June 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Stephanie R. Battle (RN00166823). The state of Minnesota suspended Battle’s license following a felony conviction for drug possession.

 In June 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Vincent T. Yu (RN00126638). Yu had inappropriate sexual contact with patients. 

In June 2012 the Pharmacy Board revoked the credential of pharmacy assistant Brian T. Novak (VB60184782) for 10 years. Novak diverted controlled substances from his employer. He was convicted of theft and attempted unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. 

In May 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of nursing assistant Eleanor Romero (NA00157094) for a period of at least five years. Romero provided care to a vulnerable patient that fell below the standard of care. Romero failed to respond properly to a patient with bedsores and didn’t notify the patient’s physician or guardian.

In June 2012 the Pharmacy Board indefinitely suspended the credential of pharmacy technician Olga P. Laskovtsov (VA00072530). Laskovtsov was convicted of selling more pseudoephedrine than is allowed by law.

Kitsap County
In June 2012 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of dental assistant Teresa Marie Brakefield (D1.60028485). Brakefield committed prescription fraud to get unauthorized narcotics.

Lewis County
In May 2012 the Department of Health notified Toby P. Swanger of intent to seek a cease-and-desist order. Swanger, who has no health care credentials in Washington, was alleged to be practicing medicine without a license.

In June the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse Ramona L. Horst (RN00092331) for two years. Before seeking to have her license reinstated, she must complete nursing refresher courses and two certification courses. She provided incompetent or negligent care which created risk to patients.

Snohomish County
In June 2012 the Secretary of Health issued a cease-and-desist order to Jianwei Zhang. Zhang practiced massage without a license and was fined $1,000. Zhang must cease the practice of massage until properly credentialed.

Thurston County
In April 2012 Annette E. Therrien (RN00124327) voluntarily surrendered her registered nursing credential to the Nursing Commission. Therrien agreed to retire and not to resume nursing practice.

In May the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of nursing assistant Shylia M. Reiber (NC10091511) for 24 months. Reiber diverted a controlled substance for personal use. Before applying to reinstate her license, she must provide evidence of being clean and sober for 24 months.

In June 2012, the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Ann M. McCormack (RN00152200). In 2003, the Texas Board of Nursing Examiners revoked McCormack’s license for failing to comply with a prior order to take a course in nursing jurisprudence.

Whatcom County
In June 2012 the Department of Health issued a cease-and-desist order against Deanna Ottum (also known as Deanna Popple-Ottum). Ottom conducted hearing exams and provided hearing aids without a credentialed audiologist on staff.  She presented herself as a “practitioner,” but doesn’t have a health care credential.

In May 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of registered nurse Aeron A. Ries (RN00140928). Ries diverted drugs from her employer for personal use. She must comply with terms and conditions before she can apply to reinstate her license.

The Department of Health website (www.doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.