Washington Healthcare Providers Disciplined by Department of Public Health

Olympia, WA – The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 healthcare 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.

Benton County

In November 2013 the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program filed an amended statement of charges against the credential of respiratory care practitioner Robert Robinson (LR00003321). Robinson allegedly had a sexual relationship with a patient’s daughter. The patient’s daughter was expected to have a big role in health decisions affecting her mother. He also allegedly touched two patients inappropriately.

Clallam County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Peggy A. Robb(NC10002768) with unprofessional conduct. Robb allegedly admitted stealing about $120 from a patient’s wallet.

Clark County

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Paula Ann Harris(LP00040089) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Charges say Harris, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder, was hospitalized in a psychiatric unit after displaying suicidal tendencies.

In November 2013 the Veterinary Board entered an agreement with veterinarian Michael L. Baker(VT00006064) that placed his license on probation for at least two years and imposed a $10,000 fine. He provided substandard care and didn’t provide patients’ records in a timely manner.

Cowlitz County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Eric Alexander Nathan (NC60195123) with unprofessional conduct. Nathan allegedly passed-out from a prescription medication overdose while he was the sole person responsible to care for five patients on the evening shift at an adult family home.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Katherine L. Krause(RN00102955) with unprofessional conduct. Krause allegedly didn’t comply with a previous stipulation.

Grant County

In November 2013 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselorAaron S. Glenn (CG60168506) with unprofessional conduct. Glenn allegedly dismissed a patient’s suicide threats, saying he was tired of homeless people using such threats as a way to get a free meal and a place to stay. Charges say he didn’t secure the patient’s environment, didn’t get witness statements, and didn’t stop the patient from tightly wrapping a bandage around his neck.

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Brandi Celeste Lewis (NC10065744) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Lewis was convicted of three counts of third-degree assault.

Grays Harbor County

In November 2013 the Medical Assistant Program conditionally granted a medical assistant hemodialysis technician credential to Roberto Ramirez (HT60374633). He must continue to comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract ordered in connection with his health care assistant credential.

King County

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Sonya Patricia Girtman (CO60398046) and placed her on probation. Girtman must undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. She was convicted of one felony and five gross misdemeanors between 1996 and 2011.

In October 2013 the Pharmacy Commission denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Renee Ellen Land (VB60402518), who was convicted of three felonies and one gross misdemeanor between 1995 and 2008.

Snohomish County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Shelley Rae Hawkins (NC10004497) with unprofessional conduct. While working at an adult family home, Hawkins allegedly diverted a patient’s medication for her own use. The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) found she financially exploited a vulnerable adult. DSHS will not allow her to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults. In 2013 she was convicted of soliciting possession of a controlled substance.

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Andrea Katherine Arany-Kovacs (CO60393957) and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2003 she was convicted of second-degree attempted theft. She was also convicted of driving while intoxicated three times in 2010.

Spokane County

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Deanne Lee Watson (CO60314229) and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2009 Watson pleaded guilty to 19 felonies related to stealing and cashing checks, and to possession of a controlled substance.

Stevens County

In November 2013 the Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Tracie Lyn Young(CG60146014) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Young, who admitted herself to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation, admitted using methamphetamine at work and at a client’s home, stealing and using prescription medication, borrowing money and accepting gifts from clients, saying she had a professional relationship with a client before she actually had one, and storing personal contact information on a cell phone also used by others.

Thurston County

In October 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program denied a registered nursing assistant credential toAndrew E. Brazil (NA60398660). On his application, Brazil said he’d never been convicted of a crime. Between 1998 and 2009, he was convicted of one felony and four gross misdemeanors.

Walla Walla County

In October 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Terri Kaye Cantrell(RN00106480) with unprofessional conduct. Cantrell allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract, which she agreed to, after admitting she’s diverted nitrous oxide from hospitals where she worked.

Whatcom County

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended conditions on the credentials of chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional Max Duane Whipple (CO60171745, CP60264607).

In November 2013 the Pharmacy Commission ended restrictions on the credential of pharmacist Dale M. Harts (PH00042849).

Yakima County

In November 2013 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Laura B. Nanez (CM60377722) with unprofessional conduct. Nanez allegedly submitted falsified controlled substance prescriptions for herself to pharmacies about 14 times, and falsely identified a clinic physician as having authorized the prescriptions.

Out of State

Florida: In November 2013 the Medical Commission charged physician Laura K. Morris(MD00026856) with unprofessional conduct. Morris entered an agreement with the Florida Board of Medicine restricting her involvement with pain management clinics, restricting her from prescribing controlled substances, requiring her to complete a record-keeping course and putting her on probation. She hasn’t responded to a Washington investigator’s inquiries.

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

2013 The NW Fire Blog