State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 15 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program amended a statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Anne Cerie Greiner (NC10050888). She was originally charged with neglecting a vulnerable adult and financially exploiting another vulnerable adult; the amended charges add a third alleged victim of exploitation.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program denied an application by Billie Jo Skelton (NC10046694) to reactivate her certified nursing assistant credential. Skelton was convicted of forgery in 1984 and again in 1985. She was also convicted of failure to remain at the scene of an injury accident in 2010.

Clark County

In April 2013 the Mental Health Counselor Program entered an agreement with mental health counselor Sarah Natanya Kohlenberger (LH60161760); she was reprimanded and ordered to undergo two years of monitoring. Kohlenberger didn't take a patient's juvenile rheumatoid arthritis into account in counseling the patient.

Cowlitz County

In April 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Dallas Ryan De La Grange (CO60335804) and placed him on probation for at least three years. In 2007 De La Grange was convicted of violations of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act -- possession of morphine, and delivery of oxycodone -- and third-degree theft. In 2008 he was again convicted of third-degree theft.

King County

In April 2013 the Medical Commission charged physician Mitchell L. Cohen (MD00028854) with unprofessional conduct. Cohen allegedly sent a patient a social media friend request. He allegedly acknowledged his interest in the patient's occupation, which had no connection to clinical care.

In April 2013 the Pharmacy Board released pharmacy technician Steven Nguyen (VA60285450) from conditions of a previous order and he may practice without restrictions. The board also released Nguyen's pharmacy assistant credential (VB60235524) from conditions.

In April 2013 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program granted an agency affiliated counselor credential to Samuel Daeronne Wells (CG60324035) and placed him on probation for at least two years. He didn't comply with the terms and conditions of a previous reinstatement order. In March 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program reinstated his chemical dependency professional trainee credential (CO60174864) and also placed it on probation for at least two years.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program reprimanded registered nursing assistant Leticia B. Benavente (NA60288592), who cheated on an exam during a training program.

In April 2013 the Health Care Assistant Program conditionally granted a health care assistant credential to Chelsea Elizabeth Cullom (HC60339853). Cullom was convicted of second-degree attempted theft and second-degree attempted trafficking stolen property in 2011.

Kitsap County

In April 2013 the Veterinary Board charged veterinary technician Katie Irene Coen (AT60081860) with unprofessional conduct. Coen allegedly didn't follow proper procedure three times in 2012 in dispensing or removing drugs from the veterinary hospital where she worked.

Lewis County

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Rhonda Jo Baxter (NC10093371) with unprofessional conduct. Baxter allegedly didn't comply with a previous agreement.

Pierce County

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Deborah A. Clark (RN00079021) with unprofessional conduct. Clark allegedly gave medicine to a patient without a doctor's approval.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Michelle R. Gibson (RN00157088) with unprofessional conduct. Gibson allegedly misused alcohol and controlled substances, and didn't comply with a previous contract.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Stacie L. Mace (NA00126502) with unprofessional conduct. Mace managed an adult family home that allegedly accepted and didn't account for narcotic pain medications intended for a patient who was away from the facility. Mace, who was in charge of narcotic distribution at the home, allegedly didn't keep a log or records. The Washington Department of Social and Health Services closed the home. Mace hasn't responded to inquiries.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Katherine A. Savage-Landrum (LP00037091) with unprofessional conduct. Savage-Landrum allegedly admitted taking patients' controlled substances for her own use and replacing them with Tylenol.

Skagit County

In April 2013 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacy assistant Madison Sloane Hall (VB60141775) with unprofessional conduct. On a workplace drug exam, Hall allegedly tested positive for marijuana and morphine. She allegedly admitted to heroin use.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Lyndsi M. Foster (NC10097151) with unprofessional conduct. Foster worked at a Mount Vernon skilled nursing facility when a patch containing fentanyl was allegedly found missing from a patient; a fentanyl patch was allegedly found in Foster's jacket pocket. Charges say Foster later took another fentanyl patch from the patient, was arrested, confessed, and admitted to multiple fentanyl patch thefts.

Snohomish County

In April 2013 the Physical Therapy Board ended probation for physical therapy assistant Lonnie Lee Bash Jr. (P160042640).

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Lisa Nichole Ellefsen (NC10097969) with unprofessional conduct. Ellefsen's health care assistant credential (HC60268930) was placed on probation in 2012.

Spokane County

In April 2013 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program charged emergency medical technician and paramedic Adam Michael Knight (ES01171918, ES60105344) with unprofessional conduct. Knight allegedly didn't comply with a previous stipulation.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Laura Louise Akins (NA60206812) with unprofessional conduct. While working at an adult family home, Akins allegedly stole $30 from one resident, $120 from a second resident, and $300 from another employee. Akins allegedly confessed to the thefts and said she spent the money on controlled substances, which she was addicted to.

Yakima County

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Shirley Joanne Stankiewicz (NA60096892) with unprofessional conduct. Stankiewicz worked at an assisted living facility and allegedly took controlled substances from two patients' residences. Stankiewicz allegedly confessed after her arrest. Charged with violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and with second-degree burglary, she was accepted into a drug court program.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Ellen N. Mallonee (RN00047616) with unprofessional conduct. Mallonee didn't complete a monitoring contract she agreed to after allegedly testing positive for controlled substances. In 2010 she was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

Out of State

New Mexico: In April 2013 the Pharmacy Board ended probation for pharmacist Paul A. Schentrup (PH00018372).

Oregon: In April 2013 the Optometry Board reinstated the optometrist credential of Gary A. Kitzrow (OD00001980), whose credential was suspended in 2003 after an audit showed he received Medicaid and Medicare overpayments.

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 130516-JF78-4348395 StaffFurigay