State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 25 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Clark County

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Aminata Jarjue Joof (NA00182361) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Social and Health Services issued a finding alleging Joof physically and mentally abused three patients. As a result, she can no longer be employed in a position that involves unsupervised care or access to vulnerable adults.

Franklin County

In September 2012 the Dental Hygienist Program charged Nicole B. Polus (DH00005786) with unprofessional conduct. Polus was convicted of two counts of obtaining a controlled substance through fraud with a position of trust allegation for using the prescription authority of her employer to get controlled substances for herself.

Grays Harbor

In September 2012 the Dental Commission modified an agreed order against dentist Richard Alfred Pedersen (DE00005133). Pedersen must pay a fine and comply with other terms and conditions set against his license for providing substandard care to 10 patients.

Grant County

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Michelle Irene Durfee (NA60215552) with unprofessional conduct. Durfee allegedly falsified timesheets claiming she had provided 52 hours of care to a patient and was then paid by the Department of Social and Health Services for time she didn't work. Charges say Durfee took a heavily medicated patient shopping and coerced the patient into buying things for her.

Island County

In August 2012 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse Diana Deering (RN00161768) on probation for at least three years. Deering must pay a fine and comply with terms and conditions set against her license including 60 hours of continuing education in the area of medication administration.

King County

In September 2012 the Dental Commission permanently restricted the license of dentist Paul F. Genung (DE00003370). Genung can't prescribe, administer, stock, or store controlled substances. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2012 the Dental Commission reprimanded dentist Steve H. Nguyen (DE00008242) and will monitor his license for at least three years. Nguyen allowed someone with a suspended denturist credential to work in his dental office as a dental assistant without a dental assistant license. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.

In September 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Kimmarie Frances Wooding (CO60293918) and placed it on probation for at least three years. Wooding plead guilty and entered into a deferred sentence for charges of attempted cocaine possession in 2003. She was also convicted of third- degree theft in 2010. Wooding must comply with terms and conditions set against her credential.

Pierce County

In September 2012 the Counselor Program granted the credential of agency affiliated counselor Teresa Lorraine Holloway (CG60300038). Holloway must continue to comply with the terms and conditions set against her registered nursing license in 2011.

In August 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the credential of certified nursing assistant Megan N. King (NC10093115) and placed it on probation for at least one year. King must comply with terms and conditions set against her credential.

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jane W. Muguku (NA00154505) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Muguku allegedly didn't properly supervise a patient with special care needs. The unsupervised patient ate laundry detergent. Charges say the detergent may have contributed to the patient's death.

In September 2012 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacy assistant Donna Kay Styles (VB60186550) with unprofessional conduct. Styles allegedly diverted a variety of controlled substance pills, totaling almost700 pills, over the course of a year. In 2012 she was convicted of unlawful solicitation to possess a controlled substance for her conduct.

Snohomish County

In September 2012 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Sean Gabriel Little (LP00038826) with unprofessional conduct. Little allegedly diverted legend drugs from patients for personal use and was under their influence while on duty. Charges say he also didn't comply with his substance abuse monitoring contract.

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program entered into an agreed order with registered nursing assistant Joel S. Sijera (NA60032121) and placed his license on probation for at least two years. Sijera must comply with terms and conditions set against his credential.

Spokane County

In September 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program placed the credential of chemical dependency professional Amanda C. Smith (CP00006049) on probation for at least two years. Smith falsified her billing, services, and patient files and now must comply with terms and conditions set against her credential.

Thurston County

In September 2012 the Massage Program charged Xiao Y. Jiang (MA60229661) with unprofessional conduct. Jiang allegedly touched a patient's genitals during a massage and offered to perform a sexual act for an additional fee.

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the credential of certified nursing assistant Shannon Irene Struthers (NC60293250) and placed it on probation for at least two years. Struthers was convicted of driving under the influence in 2006. She entered into deferred prosecution for driving under the influence in 2012. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her credential.

Whatcom County

In September 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the credential of certified nursing assistant Delexis Ashley DeLaney (NC60264536) and placed it on probation for at least one year. DeLaney entered into an agreed continuance for a charge of drive-by shooting in 2012. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her credential.

Out of state

California: In September 2012 the Osteopathic Board of Medicine and Surgery charged osteopathic physician James Paul Maganito (OP60089226) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say during the delivery of a baby, Maganito allegedly didn't properly monitor the baby's heart and the baby died as a result of complications, which were in part related to the delivery.

New York: In September 2012 the Medical Commission amended the statement of charges against physician Duk K. Choi (MD00039157). Choi's license to practice medicine in Pennsylvania was suspended.

Oregon: In September 2012 the Osteopathic Board of Medicine charged osteopathic physician Mark D. Czarnecki (OP00001962) with unprofessional conduct. Czarnecki retired his license to practice osteopathic medicine in Oregon while the Oregon board conducts an investigation.

Oregon: In September 2012 the Nursing Commission placed the license of registered nurse Rebecca E. Keen (RN60078266) on probation for two years. Keen must comply with 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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