State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 6 -- The Washington state Department of Health issued the following news release:

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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(http://www.doh.wa.gov/LicensesPermitsandCertificates/ProviderCredentialSearch.aspx)" 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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Jill E. Bocol (RN00131423) with unprofessional conduct. Bocol allegedly didn't comply with an agreed order requiring participation in a substance abuse monitoring program. She was convicted of driving under the influence in 2010 and third-degree malicious mischief--domestic violence in 2011.

Clark County

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Fairuza M. Stevenson (RN00139022).

In February 2013 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Sarah Natanyah Kohlenberger (LH60161760) with unprofessional conduct. Kohlenberger allegedly disregarded a patient's physical condition, didn't communicate adequately with the patient's medical doctor, didn't transmit significant information in an adoption proceeding, and practiced beyond the scope of her credential.

Grays Harbor County

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission reprimanded and sanctioned licensed practical nurse Darcy Jean Cleverly, also known as Darcy J. Sharp (LP00057779), for not complying with a previous stipulation.

King County

In January 2013 the Osteopathic Medicine Board charged osteopathic physician Susan Lee Mercer (OP00001089) with unprofessional conduct. Mercer allegedly didn't provide patient records requested by a department investigator and didn't cooperate with the investigation.

In October 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program denied Patrick Joseph Ciminera's (CO60194295) application for chemical dependency professional trainee. Ciminera didn't submit to a required examination.

In January 2013 the Chiropractic Commission released chiropractor Melinda A. Maxwell (CH00002064) from terms and conditions of a 2009 agreement.

Kitsap County

In January 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Reba Lee Harris (CO60154127).

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health charged physician Saad K. Alagba (MD00011480) with unprofessional conduct. Alagba allegedly pursued an inappropriate relationship with a pediatric patient's mother.

Lewis County

In January 2013 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Brady Aaron Morgan (D160219495) with unprofessional conduct. Morgan allegedly claimed to hold an expanded function dental auxiliary credential, but he does not. He allegedly provided treatment outside the scope of a dental assistant.

Okanogan County

In January 2013 the Pharmacy Board withdrew charges against pharmacist Keith L. Anderson (PH00016249).

Pierce County

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Linda Ann Provencher (RN00176049) with unprofessional conduct. Provencher allegedly admitted to not giving a patient medication at the required time and to falsifying records to indicate she had.

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jodi D. Becker (NA00173708) with unprofessional conduct. Becker was convicted of third-degree criminal mistreatment, first-degree theft, and Medicaid false statement. Becker allegedly didn't notify the patient's primary care provider about burns a patient sustained at Becker's Eatonville adult family home and didn't make sure the patient received proper treatment. The patient later died.

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission withdrew charges against registered nurse and advanced registered nursing practitioner Joanne Gigi Hardtke (RN00127795, AP30006122).

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreement with licensed practical nurse Melenie R. Motto (LP00034378) which reinstated her credential and placed it on probation.

In January 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a credential to chemical dependency professional trainee Bernadette Lacey Cruz (CO60324514). In 2007 Cruz was convicted of cocaine possession, and bail jumping.

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant James M. Stewart (NA60029197) with unprofessional conduct. Stewart pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft. He allegedly admitted to a police detective that he diverted prescription drugs for his own use that were intended for patients at the adult family home where he worked.

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Katie Brooks Postler (NC60187832) with unprofessional conduct. Postler allegedly didn't change the undergarments of a patient at the skilled nursing facility where she worked after the patient told her three times that he had soiled himself and needed his undergarments changed.

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program reprimanded registered nursing assistant Wendy Lynn Bell (NA00083124) for practicing below the standard of care. Bell conceded that the adult family home that she operated had animal feces and urine on the floor which rendered conditions unsanitary. She has agreed to pay a fine which will be waived if new flooring is installed in the home.

Snohomish County

In January 2013 the Pharmacy Board ended probation for pharmacist Sandra L. Moyers, also known as Sandra L. Jakobson (PH00010121).

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission ended probation for licensed practical nurse Heather J. Cornelius (LP00046238).

Spokane County

In January 2013 the Medical Commission withdrew charges against physician Daniel H. Stoop (MD00032086).

In January 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of chemical dependency professional trainee Daryl Scott Cline (CO60314034) and placed him on probation. In 2001 Cline was convicted of second-degree theft. In 2007 he was convicted of violating the Uniform Controlled Substances Act -- deliver methamphetamine.

Thurston County

In January 2013 the Chiropractic Commission withdrew charges against chiropractor Jeffrey A. Finnigan (CH00001437).

In January 2013 the Massage Practitioner Program charged massage practitioner Britni Ann Webber (MA60100165) with unprofessional conduct. Webber allegedly didn't comply with a previous agreement.

Out of State

Maryland: In January 2013 the Board of Pharmacy ended probation for pharmacist Jeffrey P. Yannello (PH00018138).

Oregon: In January 2013 the Nursing Commission reinstated the credential of registered nurse Suzanne G. Franklin (RN00142851) and placed her on probation for three years. Franklin surrendered her Oregon credential after making patient log errors while working at a convalescent center.

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(http://www.doh.wa.gov/) (www.doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook(http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-State-Department-of-Health/117762158270896) and follow us on Twitter(http://www.twitter.com/WA_DeptofHealth).

TNS-LE 130308-4235244 StaffFurigay