State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 28 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.

Clallam County

In February 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant April Lynn Price (NA60046479) with unprofessional conduct. In 2012 Price was found guilty of violating a protection order and fourth-degree domestic violence.

In March 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Billie Jo Skelton (NC10046694) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Skelton was convicted of forgery in 1984 and again in 1985. She was also convicted for leaving the scene of an injury accident in 2010.

Franklin County

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Carol J. Thamert (RN00147397, AP30007371).

Jefferson County

In February 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Robin Ruth Sharan of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Sharan owns a business that provides colon hydrotherapy, also called colonics. She has no credential that would allow her to perform colon hydrotherapy. Sharan allegedly has performed colon hydrotherapy for 15 years. Three of her patients experienced symptoms that required further medical attention after Sharan treated them.

King County

In February 2013 the Health Care Assistant Program charged health care assistant Saidah C. Roper (HC00137410) with unprofessional conduct. Roper allegedly forged prescriptions for herself and others, using a physician's name and Drug Enforcement Administration number. The physician didn't authorize any of the prescriptions and was unaware his information was being used.

In February 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program entered an agreement with chemical dependency professional trainee Samuel Daeronne Wells (CO60174864) which reinstated his credential and placed it on probation for two years. Wells must be supervised during his probation.

In February 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Jeannette Wyatt (CO60322340) and placed it on probation for at least three years. In 1995 Wyatt was convicted of residential burglary and second-degree rendering criminal assistance. In 2000 she was convicted of second-degree burglary. In 2008 she was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance--methamphetamine. In 2009 she was convicted of first-degree trafficking in stolen property.

In February 2013 the X-Ray Technician and Health Care Assistant programs charged X-ray technician and health care assistant Hipolito Rodriguez (XT00006188, HC60061792, HC60251595) with unprofessional conduct. Rodriguez allegedly forged controlled substance prescriptions for himself using a Drug Enforcement Administration number he was not authorized to use. Rodriguez didn't respond to Department of Health inquiries.

In February 2013 the Health Care Assistant Program ended probation for health care assistant Tambra Gwen Graham (HC60045462).

Kitsap County

In February 2013 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Janet E. Vondran (MD00033182) and placed her credential on probation for two years. Vondran treated patients with human growth hormone as an anti-aging therapy, and prescribed it for patients whose conditions showed no need for it. One patient developed carpal tunnel syndrome, but Vondran didn't decrease or discontinue human growth hormone use as called for. Vondran also kept inadequate records for three patients and didn't document a need to prescribe human growth hormone.

Kittitas County

In February 2013 the Physical Therapy Board entered an agreement with physical therapist assistant Brian Wayne Bush (P160229400) which granted his credential and placed it on probation for three years. Bush was convicted of four felonies, the most serious of which was first-degree robbery, between 1981 and 1992.

Mason County

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed professional nurse Rosalie Simington (LP00040933) with unprofessional conduct. A nursing facility patient who reported chest pains and shortness of breath asked to be taken to a hospital. Simington allegedly followed a physician's orders to have the patient taken to an emergency room, but allegedly called an ambulance company instead of following a policy to call 911. She also allegedly gave the patient four aspirin without a physician's order, didn't have anyone stay with the patient while she waited for the ambulance and didn't check vital signs. The patient later died.

Skagit County

In February 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tammy Kim Vega (NC10076977) with unprofessional conduct. In 2012 she was convicted of second-degree unlawful possession of a stolen firearm. Vega was arrested in connection with alleged possession of a stolen firearm used in a robbery that resulted in a homicide. The weapon was allegedly found in a car registered to Vega.

Snohomish County

In February 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program amended charges against certified nursing assistant Delphine V. Thomas (NC10065626). Thomas allegedly lied on her license application when asked if she'd been known by any other name and if she'd been convicted of a crime. In 1979 she was convicted of murder in Texas under the name Delphine Valencia Arrington. It is also alleged that Thomas lied about her criminal background on a Department of Social and Health Services background authorization form.

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission denied the licensed practical nurse application of Ryan O. Saunders (LP60330784), who didn't graduate from an approved nursing program.

Spokane County

In February 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Corey A. Holten (NC10036824) with unprofessional conduct. In 2012 Helton was convicted of attempted first-degree assault--domestic violence. After he was served with a protection order barring him from contact with his ex-wife, Holten allegedly went to her home, pushed a gun into her chest and threatened to kill her.

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission placed the credential of registered nurse Cynthia S. Wachtel (RN00155598) on probation for two years. Wachtel borrowed $2,500 from a patient and didn't repay it.

Stevens County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health reinstated the credential of physician Daniel W. Moullet (MD00034152) and placed it on probation for two years. Moullet's credential was suspended in 2012 for having a sexual relationship with an employee who became a patient.

Thurston County

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Jeanette G. Revay (RN00074524, AP30005089) and placed her credential on probation for at least two years. Revay must take an ethics course and pay a $1,000 fine. On an application to become a "core provider," qualifying her for reimbursement through the Department of Social and Health Services, Revay concealed evidence of previous actions taken against her credentials. She also didn't disclose that she was terminated as a Medicaid provider in 2006.

In February 2013 the Counselor Program entered an agreement with agency affiliated counselor Pete Francisco Feliciano (CG60161562), placing his credential on probation for two years and fining him $1,600. Feliciano, a probation officer, led group therapy sessions for sex offenders. He was also the probation officer for some of the offenders in his group, which is incompatible with a safe, therapeutic environment. Feliciano doesn't have a credential permitting him to treat sex offenders. In group sessions, charges say Feliciano asked a teen client questions on information he'd gotten as the youth's probation officer. When the client refused to answer in front of the group, Feliciano grabbed his shirt, walked him out of the room and told him to answer or be removed from the group, which could have led to revocation of the client's sentence.

In February 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Maoxing Xing of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Allegations say Xing gave a full body massage despite having no credential.

Out of state

California: In February 2013 the Psychology Board denied a psychologist credential to Catherine Crosby (PY60309043). Her doctoral degree isn't from a regionally accredited institution, a legal requirement.

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).

TNS-LE 130329-4268937 StaffFurigay