State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 23 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 70 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on "Provider Credential Search" on the left hand side of the Department of Health home page (www.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 February 2012 the Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Jonathan P. Smith (CG60161775) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of unlawful display of a weapon, assault, attempting to elude police, and malicious mischief. Clark County

In February 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of chemical dependency professional trainee Tabitha Michele-Marie Zdunich (CO60247587) and placed her certification on probation for two years. She was convicted of possession of a controlled substance -- methamphetamine.

Cowlitz County

In February 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Tanya K. Hendrickson (RN00098177) with unprofessional conduct. It's alleged that she willfully caused or contributed to physical or emotional abuse by failing to manage the patient's pain and restricting access to inpatient hospice care. It's also alleged that she took injectable morphine from the patient's home, and testing positive for drugs during two urinalyses.

Douglas County

In January 2012 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of licensed practical nurse Susan L. Gelb (LP00031248) and placed her license on probation.

Grant County

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program ended the probation order against registered and certified nursing assistant James Wamatu Nganga (NA60163933, NC60185919).

Grays Harbor County

In February 2012 the Social Worker Program ended the probation order against social worker associate Robin G. Weinstein (SC60173235).

King County

In February 2012 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Michelle Eileen Barnett (HC60062231) and placed conditions against her license with a possibility of probation for three years. She pleaded guilty to attempted possession of Vicodin.

In February 2012 the Chiropractic Commission modified the agreed order against Dawn M. Hunter (CH00034116) and placed her license on probation until June 2016 giving her conditions with which she must comply. She failed to comply with prior terms and conditions set against her license, and billed insurance claims under a massage practitioner's name and ID who didn't provide treatment.

In February 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended the probation order against chemical dependency professional Toni Johnson (CP00003443).

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Rhoda W. Karuga (NC10095279) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to follow orders when checking the blood sugar of a patient.

In January 2012 the Nursing Commission released licensed practical nurse Beverly C. Muhammad (LP00033898) from terms and conditions set against her license.

In February 2012 the Board of Pharmacy granted the application of pharmacy assistant Steven Nguyen (VB60235524) and placed conditions against his registration. He was convicted of criminal attempt -- possession of forty grams or less of marijuana, and breach of peace.

Kitsap County

In February 2012 the Massage Program released Spring Meland (MA60012558), also known as Spring Moen, from terms and conditions set against her license.

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program ended the probation order against registered nursing assistant Amanda Marie Williams (NA60157549).

Mason County

In February 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended the probation order against chemical dependency professional trainee Chelsea E. Cornwall-Brady (CO60197989).

In February 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the application of chemical dependency professional trainee Philip Soaring Hawk Peterson (CO60214535) and placed conditions against his certification. He was convicted of residential burglary, attempted assault, bail jumping, and assault.

Pierce County

In February 2012 the Surgical Technologist Program released Kristie Michelle Mattern (ST60187992) from terms and conditions set against her registration.

In February 2012 the Nursing Commission granted the application of registered nurse Amy Perzel Walter (RN60249043) and placed conditions against her license. She entered into a five-year deferred prosecution on the charge of driving under the influence.

Skagit County

In February 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional trainee Jessica Helen Pate (CO60105693) with unprofessional conduct. It's alleged that she may be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In February 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kathryn S. Torset (RN00146231) with unprofessional conduct for failing to comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

Snohomish County

In February 2012 the Massage Program granted the application of Kalie E. Buskeness (MA60247224), also known as Kaley Buskeness, and placed conditions against her license. She was convicted of driving under the influence, and theft.

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program ended the probation order against certified nursing assistant Johanne Dorvilias (NC60121616).

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of registered nursing assistant Tatyana Ogorodnik (NA60216762) and placed her registration on probation for two years. She entered into a deferred prosecution for assault -- domestic violence and violation of no-contact order, and she was convicted of assault -- domestic violence, and theft.

Spokane County

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program ended the probation order against registered nursing assistant Sylvia I. Liberty (NA60096280).

Whatcom County

In February 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the applications for registered and certified nursing assistant credentials of Amy Louise Olson (NA60221361, NC60220993) and placed conditions against her credentials. She was convicted of reckless endangerment and reckless driving.

Out of State

Idaho: In January 2012 the Nursing Commission ended the probation order against registered nurse and licensed practical nurse Amarina M. Grisham (RN00166294, LP00056597).

Montana: In February 2012 the Occupational Therapy Practice Board released occupational therapy assistant Sheila S. Cottrell (OC00000679) from terms and conditions set against her license.

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.

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