For immediate release: January 24, 2014 [14-011]
Contact:  Media inquiries: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications Office,  360-236-4074
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service, 360-236-4700

State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Chelan County

In November 2013 the Chiropractic Commission ended conditions on the credential of chiropractorJason C. Schroeder (CH00003389).

Clallam County

In December 2013 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program charged paramedic Paul Rynearson (ES00106508) with unprofessional conduct. Rynearson allegedly took and used narcotics kept at the fire department where he worked and reportedly came to work appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Clark County

In December 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the registered nursing assistant credential of Mayra I. Garcia (NA00195349) and placed her credential on probation for at least one year. Garcia’s credential was suspended in 2011 after she didn’t comply with a stipulation issued after being convicted in 2007 of third-degree theft and driving while intoxicated.

Grant County

In December 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended conditions on the credential of chemical dependency professional Estela Yarrito (CP00003751).

Island County

In December 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Cassandra Denise Pendergrass (NA60414482) and placed her license on probation for at least two years. In 2004 Pendergrass was convicted in Nevada of embezzling $2,500 or more.

King County

In December 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Shakun Nandeshwar Sharma (CO60294692) and placed her credential on probation. Sharma must take continuing education in professional law and ethics and undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. She was convicted of five gross misdemeanors and two misdemeanors between 2006 and 2012.

In November 2013 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation for pharmacist Michael S. Jones(PH00010993).

In December 2013 the Pharmacy Commission fined Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc.(CF60030054) $2,500 after it was found to have allowed a pharmacy assistant, who misrepresented herself as a pharmacy technician to its human resource department, to perform tasks limited to pharmacy technicians.

In December 2013 the Medical Assistant Program ended conditions on the credential of medical assistant Bridgett Dianne Miller (MR60402878).

In December 2013 the Dental Commission denied a dental assistant credential to Randy Allen Ivie(D160332886), who had several convictions including 12 felonies, two gross misdemeanors, and one misdemeanor between 1985 and 2012.

Pierce County

In December 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Darla Jean Oliphint (CO60234960).

In December 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Tena K. Bremmeyer (CO60153438).

In December 2013 the Counselor Program charged chemical dependency professional, marriage and family therapist associate, and marriage and family therapist Jennifer Armstrong Ferguson(CP00005222, MG60171687, LF60079410) with unprofessional conduct. Ferguson allegedly provided substandard care.

In December 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Karen Ann Price(RN60181825) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Price was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

Snohomish County

In December 2013 the Counselor Program lifted the suspension for registered counselor credential holder Susan A. Martin (RC00059495). The credential itself was abolished in 2010.

Spokane County

In December 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Patricia Noel Shropshire (CO60418513) and placed her credential on probation. Shropshire must take continuing education in professional law and ethics, and undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2012 she was convicted of driving while intoxicated and received deferred prosecution on another charge.

In November 2013 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation for pharmacy technician Jill M. Horstman (VA00048105).

In December 2013 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy assistant Casey V. McGaughy(VB00071773) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a pharmacy, McGaughy allegedly diverted medications for his personal use.

Thurston County

In December 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Lori Jean Tenny(RN00121398) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. On an application to reactivate her expired credential, Tenny allegedly said she has a medical condition that impairs her ability to practice, a conclusion her primary care provider supported.

In December 2013 the Counselor Program conditionally granted an agency affiliated counselor credential to Shane Lynn Morris (CG60293762) and placed her credential on probation. Morris must undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program, and is required to take continuing education in professional law and ethics. She was convicted of 40 felonies and one gross misdemeanor between 2005 and 2009.

Walla Walla County

In December 2013 the Nursing Commission denied the request of Bob L. Ratcliff (RN00159108) to reinstate his registered nursing credential, which was suspended in 2005 and again in 2011, when he didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. The commission found that he was still out of compliance.

Whatcom County

In November 2013 the Pharmacy Commission modified an agreement with pharmacist David Alexander Glen (PH60216257), lifting probation from his license but still requiring that he comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In December 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Marianne Zweegman (NA00130895) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Social and Health Services prohibited her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults. Zweegman was found to have neglected vulnerable adults in her adult family home.

Whitman County

In December 2013 the Counselor Program ended conditions on the credential of mental health counselor Lori Woodward Bobo (LH60168278).

Out of State

Idaho: In December 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Natalie A. Fister(LP00053334) with unprofessional conduct. Fister notified the commission that in 2013 she was convicted in Idaho of driving under the influence of alcohol (third or more offense).

Idaho: In December 2013 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the credential of dental assistant Breanna Fern Bailiff (D160249600).

Oregon: In December 2013 the Hearing and Speech Board charged speech language pathologistJocelyn Louise Meussdorffer (LL60262909) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly didn’t comply with terms of a previous agreement.

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 (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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