Healthcare Providers Disciplined – 12/31/13

OLYMPIA- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 healthcare provider” 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.

Clallam County

In November 2013 the Counselor Program conditionally granted an agency affiliated counselor credential to Harold Robert Heagy (CG60392874) and placed it on probation. Heagy must take continuing education in professional law and ethics, and must undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. He was convicted of one felony and four gross misdemeanors between 2008 and 2011.

Clark County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Wendelin R. Russell (NC60014876) with unprofessional conduct. Russell allegedly stole controlled substances from a deceased patient’s home.

In November 2013 the Massage Program charged massage practitioner Rostislav V. Izhevskiy(MA60124536) with unprofessional conduct. In 2011 Izhevskiy was convicted of first-degree criminal impersonation. In 2013 he was convicted of custodial assault and first-degree criminal trespass. Izhevskiy didn’t report the convictions to the Department of Health.

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the registered nursing assistant credential of Irina N. Gorlova (NA00091485), whose credential was suspended for at least five years in 2004. She was convicted of third-degree theft in connection with taking money from a purse in a resident’s room. Her credential is on probation for two years.

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program ended probation for certified nursing assistantKayla Shawna Conger (NC60207474).

King County

In November 2013 the Psychology Board entered an agreement with psychologist Elizabeth M. Milo(PY00002526) that places her credential on probation for at least two years. Milo must pay a $2,000 fine. She entered a barter agreement with a patient, creating a confusing dual relationship that could or did create a risk of harming the therapeutic relationship.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Rachel L. Nezat(RN00174765) with unprofessional conduct. In 2009 Nezat was convicted on a federal charge of acquiring a controlled substance by deception in connection with diverting narcotics from Seattle’s Swedish Medical Center. In 2013 she allegedly entered the rooms of at least two patients at Swedish Hospital and tampered with machines that dispense pain medication even though she didn’t work there. She was later convicted of two counts of property destruction.

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Kevin Allen Hamel (CO60410746) that placed his credential on probation and ordered him to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Hamel must take continuing education in professional law and ethics. He was convicted of two gross misdemeanors and two criminal misdemeanors between 2004 and 2007.

In November 2013 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Kenneth Hong(MD00016461) that places his license on probation for at least five years. It also censures him for callous disregard for his patients’ well-being, and for lowering the standing of the profession in the eyes of the public. Hong must pay a $14,000 fine. He provided substandard care to seven patients by not adequately monitoring treatment follow-up and results, and in some cases charting almost identical diagnoses and issuing identical medication combinations for a variety of patients between 2000 and 2011.

Lincoln County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program ended conditions on the credential of certified nursing assistant Michele L. Henderson (NC10048147).

Okanogan County

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse April Ann Carden(RN00155917) with unprofessional conduct. In 2010 Carden was convicted of fourth-degree assault, driving while intoxicated, use of drug paraphernalia, and resisting arrest. In 2012 she was convicted of fourth-degree assault. In 2013 she signed a substance abuse monitoring contract that required her to contact a treatment program within 45 days. Charges say she didn’t comply.

Pierce County

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Earnestine Neal (NC10022228) that puts her credential on probation for at least a year. Neal provided inadequate care, including toileting, to a nursing facility patient and then misstated the amount of care she provided.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Drew Anne Hamrick (LP00044526) for at least 10 years. Hamrick was convicted of four counts of tampering with a witness and one count of unlawful imprisonment.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Deborah A. Clark (RN00079021) that says she must complete either an advance cardiovascular life support course or continuing education in cardiac-pacemaker care. Clark gave medication to a patient without a doctor’s order while working in a hospital’s critical care unit.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the credential of registered nurseLinda L. Martin (RN00089136).

Snohomish County

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Greg William Fankhauser (CO60399316) and ordered him to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2009 Fankhauser was convicted of third-degree malicious mischief.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with licensed practical nurse Ester C. Chavez (LP00035379) that places her on probation for at least 18 months. Chavez must pay a $500 fine. She gave medication to a patient with no current lab results or updated order.

Spokane County

In October 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program denied a certified nursing assistant credential toShannon Marie McKinney (NC60398552), who was conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential in 2013. McKinney was offered a credential subject to conditions, but did not respond.

In November 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Taylor Paul Dodge (NA60415534) and ordered him to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2008 Dodge was convicted of one count of conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance — methadone, and two counts of delivery of a controlled substance — marijuana.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Timothy J. Anderson(RN00136211) with unprofessional conduct. At least 48 times in 2012, Anderson allegedly didn’t administer narcotic medication, didn’t properly document administering it, or didn’t properly document disposing of it. Charges say he didn’t cooperate with a Department of Health investigator or comply with a previous stipulation.

Thurston County

In November 2013 the Medical Assistant Program conditionally granted a medical assistant-hemodialysis technician credential to Amy Rachelle Edmunds (HT60361771) and ordered her to continue participating in a substance abuse monitoring program she was required to enter when she was granted a health care assistant credential in 2011.

In November 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Willard Douglas DeRouen Jr. (CO60385070). The program placed his credential on probation, ordered him to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program and to take continuing education in professional law and ethics. DeRouen was convicted of seven felonies between 1998 and 2008.

In November 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Amanda M. Liberty(RN00163459) with unprofessional conduct. Liberty allegedly dispensed narcotic painkillers for patients but didn’t properly document administering or disposing of the medication on repeated occasions in 2007. Charges say she admitted diverting the narcotics for her own use, and then didn’t complete a substance abuse treatment program.

Out of State

Texas: In October 2013 the secretary of health denied a temporary permit to practice psychology toTheresa Marie Sharpe (TE60404715), who doesn’t meet the educational requirements.

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.

[Source: WA Dept of Public Health]

2014 The NW Fire Blog