State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 16 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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" 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.

Clark County

In March 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Melissa R. Cummings (RN00165986) with unprofessional conduct. Cummings allegedly didn't comply with a stipulation requiring her to enroll in a substance abuse monitoring program.

King County

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Samuel Joseph Sarvis IV (RN00176573).

In February 2014 the Naturopathy Board agreed to reinstate the naturopathic physician credential of Anastasia D. Jones (NT00001612), whose credential was suspended in 2013 when she didn't produce documents as required.

In February 2014 the Naturopathy Board agreed to reinstate the naturopathic physician credential of Dimitrios Jimmy Magiasis (NT60199408), whose credential was suspended in 2013 after he issued 109 medical marijuana authorizations in two days at Seattle's Hempfest event. Magiasis is on probation for four years, during which time he may not issue medical marijuana authorizations. Magiasis, who was fined $5,000, must complete continuing education in diagnosis, treatment planning, record keeping, and ethics.

In March 2014 the Medical Commission charged physician David M. Heimbach (MD00013777) with unprofessional conduct. Heimbach, a retired burn surgeon, worked as burn center director for the University of Washington'sHarborview Medical Center and as a UW School of Medicine faculty member. Charges say he served as a paid consultant for Citizens for Fire Safety, which portrayed itself as advocating fire prevention and safety, but was created and funded by three large chemical flame retardant manufacturers to advance their business interests. Heimbach allegedly didn't request or receive approval to work for Citizens for Fire Safety despite a university rule requiring him to do so. Heimbach testified in Washington, Alaska, and California against legislation that would have restricted chemical flame retardant use, allegedly without disclosing his industry ties. Charges say that while testifying, he made up stories about infant burn victims. During an American Burn Association meeting, Heimbach also allegedly showed photographs protected by federal law.

In March 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Daniel Haistings (NA00180687) with unprofessional conduct. Allegedly, he falsified a medication administration record and didn't verify that medication had been administered to a patient. He Haistings hasn't responded to a Department of Health inquiry.

In March 2014 the Dental Hygienist Program charged dental hygienist Mary P. Suhadolnik (DH00002186) with unprofessional conduct. Suhadolnik allegedly admitted using a dentist's name and credentials to get about 15 narcotics prescriptions for herself and is facing four criminal charges of illegal possession of a controlled substance.

In March 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Donna G. Lewis-Walker (RN00087058) with unprofessional conduct after she allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In February 2014 the Medical Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered medical assistant credential to Chelsea Elizabeth Cullum (MR60420397). She was conditionally granted a health care assistant credential in 2013, a credential that has since been discontinued.

In March 2014 the secretary of health ended probation for registered nurse Bangyad A. Lawagan (RN00173804).

Kitsap County

In March 2014 the Counselor Program denied a certified counselor credential to Lynn Elizabeth Houle (CL60190469), who didn't meet educational requirements.

Pierce County

In February 2014 the Medical Commission ended probation for physician Robert C. Barchiesi (MD00020428).

Skagit County

In March 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Nancy K. Rogerson (RN00160769) with unprofessional conduct. Rogerson allegedly didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Snohomish County

In March 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Caryn M. Carter, also known as Caryn Michelle Harris (RN00167165), with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Carter was convicted of third-degree assault.

In March 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional Denise A. Hipp (CP00002146) with unprofessional conduct. Without permission, Hipp allegedly removed client treatment files from the treatment center where she worked. Charges say Hipp treated two clients outside of any approved chemical dependency treatment facilities and that she misrepresented herself as working for an agency that she didn't work for.

Thurston County

In February 2014 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a registered nursing license to Calla Gunna Ronsdottir (RN60403511) and placed her credential on probation. She must complete a refresher course and then undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2008 Ronsdottir surrendered her Kentucky license, stipulating that she'd diverted narcotic medication for her own use.

In March 2014 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician David Evan Little (OP00000751) with unprofessional conduct. Little allegedly prescribed large doses of narcotic medication to 10 patients without adequately documenting pain management plans and pain assessments, or whether patients complied with treatment plans.

Whatcom County

In March 2014 the Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Drew Weidenbacher (LH60061728) with unprofessional conduct on allegations that he committed boundary violations with a client, holding sessions that were longer than normal and outside regular work hours. It's also alleged that he touched and kissed the client, called her and sent text messages with no therapeutic purpose, and talked to her about his marriage, suggested that he and the client begin a romantic relationship. Weidenbacher wrote a love song to his client that he posted on YouTube. Charges say Weidenbacher didn't establish a treatment plan or set goals for the client, kept incomplete records, and that he continued a close personal relationship with her after he knew or had reason to know their relationship had changed.

Yakima County

In March 2014 the Dental Commission denied the reactivation application of dental assistant Patricia Rodriguez, also known as Patricia Rodriguez Geronimo (D160052969), after she put false information on her application to reactivate her expired registration. She falsely claimed she hadn't been convicted of a crime and that no action had been taken that would prevent or restrict her right to practice, but she was convicted of four misdemeanors between 2003 and 2013.

In March 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Bruce Noyes and Cascade Animal Care Products Inc. of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Noyes doesn't have a pharmacy credential and his company has no pharmacy wholesaler credential. Allegations are that Noyes delivered legend and over-the-counter drugs to a Yakima County dairy farm, and a Cascade Animal Care Products employee filled a legend drug prescription at his direction.

Out of State

Nevada: In February 2014 the Medical Commission denied a physician assistant credential to Angela L. Lorenzo (PA10004443). She surrendered her Nevada dispensing registration in connection with medication-related issues. Her Nevada credential was placed on probation for at least two years in connection with patient treatment and recordkeeping problems.

Oregon: In February 2014 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nursing credential of Louis J. Schippers (RN00068890). His Washington credential was suspended in 2013 after his Oregon credential was suspended for actions involving a patient who fell.

Oregon: In March 2014 the Medical Commission charged physician Christopher M. Barone (MD60251013) with unprofessional conduct. Barone's Oregon credential was suspended for 30 days and placed on probation for five years in connection with his treatment of two critically ill patients, one of whom died. Barone also allegedly provided false information about his background on his Oregon license application.

Oregon: In March 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended conditions on the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee John Colin Hacker (CO60236863).

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 (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Washington-State-Department-of-Health/117762158270896) and follow us on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/WA_DeptofHealth).

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