State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 30 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 (http://www.doh.wa.gov/home.aspx) (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.

Adams County

In April 2013 the Dental Hygienist Program charged dental hygienist Angie Mendez (DH00006546) with unprofessional conduct. Mendez allegedly didn't comply with a 2012 stipulation.

Asotin County

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Yvonne D. Boyd (RN00171460) to lift her suspension provided she participates in a monitoring program. Boyd's Idaho license was revoked when she didn't comply with a program for recovering nurses.

Benton County

In April 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Chelsea Heckert Castillo of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Castillo allegedly performed dental tasks on four patients without having a dental assistant credential.

Clark County

In April 2013 the Pharmacy Board charged pharmacy technician Jerry E. Murray (VA00063049) with unprofessional conduct. Murray allegedly didn't comply with a previous stipulation.

In April 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Robin Ruth Sharan to cease-and-desist the practice of medicine. Sharan, who owns a self-healing center, performed colon hydrotherapy for 15 years as many as 15 times a month. Two patients required hospital treatment after having complications.

King County

In April 2013 the Medical Commission ended conditions in an agreement with physician John N.K. Hsiang (MD00035032), who may practice without restrictions.

In April 2013 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Robert C. Gramann (MD00015053) and placed his credential on probation. Gramann, who has retired from the practice of medicine, must undergo evaluation and reviews if he wants to return to practicing obstetrics. Gramann treated a 35-year-old woman who was pregnant with twins. The woman had a history of high blood pressure and asthma. Gramann didn't adequately address her high blood pressure, and didn't perform elective delivery when the woman's blood pressure increased. After she had severe symptoms, an emergency Caesarean section was performed. Both twins died, and their mother died two days later.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Nica Farrah S. Lubong (NC10068631) with unprofessional conduct. Lubong owned an adult family home where an 81-year-old patient wandered outside at about 3:15 a.m., was found several hours later lying in the snow, and died. Lubong allegedly hadn't put alarms on the facility's doors. The Department of Social and Health Services found Lubong had neglected a vulnerable adult. She may no longer care for or have unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In April 2013 the Chiropractic Commission filed a corrected final order for chiropractor Shawn Gabriel Jonas (CH00003146). The correction states the fine must be paid within one year by certified or cashier's check or money order payable to the Department of Health.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Sundae Renee Jones (NA60170026) with unprofessional conduct. Jones allegedly didn't show up on time to care for a vulnerable adult, and allegedly falsified records.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Julien Christy G. Lopez (RN00154096) with unprofessional conduct. Lopez allegedly signed for medications for four patients but didn't take the medications from the storage station or give them to the patients. She allegedly didn't appear for a meeting with her supervisor, was dismissed from the hospital where she worked, and hasn't responded to an investigator's inquiries.

In April 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Victoria Sergeevna Stepanova (CO60320611) and placed her on probation. In 2012 she entered into an agreement that put her agency affiliated counselor credential (CG60280091) on probation with conditions for at least two years.

Kitsap County

In April 2013 the Medical Commission ended conditions in an agreement with physician Julie A. McMillan (MD00041147), and she may practice without restrictions.

Pierce County

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Brianna Marie Sheppard (NA60108864, NC60123100) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 the Department of Social and Health Services issued a finding that Sheppard abused vulnerable adults at a nursing home. Sheppard is prohibited from caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In April 2013 the X-Ray Technician and Nursing Assistant programs charged X-ray technician and certified nursing assistant Patrick Ryan Wainscott (XT00005754, NC60243473) with unprofessional conduct. While working at an assisted living facility, Wainscott allegedly threw away three patients' medications and falsified records to show the patients got the medications.

In April 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Brent M. Pritchard (CO60327796) and placed him on probation. In 2010 the Nursing Assistant Program entered into agreements that put conditions on Pritchard's registered nursing assistant (NA60182909) and certified nursing assistant (NC60182962) credentials. Those agreements were based on a Wisconsin conviction for possession of cocaine/cocaine base.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Claudia Robinson-Kolano (LP00046704) with unprofessional conduct. Robinson-Kolano owned and operated an adult family home that housed a patient whose breathing problems required suctioning. She allegedly left the facility, leaving no one there who was authorized to perform suctioning work. Robinson-Kolano allegedly refused to return, and a non-credentialed caregiver had to do the task. She also allegedly charted administration of medications at a time she wasn't at the facility.

In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Karen Lofgren (RN00110430) with unprofessional conduct. In 2013 Lofgren was convicted of second-degree solicitation to commit murder.

Snohomish County

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Nancy Kay Tisdel, also known as Nancy Schmitz (NA60297262), whose licensed massage practitioner credential (MA00016656) was placed on probation in 2009.

In April 2013 the Dental Commission denied a dental assistant credential to Kristi Sue Morehouse (D160327235). In 2011 she was convicted of disorderly conduct, third-degree malicious mischief and driving while intoxicated. In 2012 she was again convicted of driving while intoxicated.

Spokane County

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Shawn M. Stites (NC60175752) with unprofessional conduct. Stites allegedly shoved a dry washcloth in the mouth of an Alzheimer's patient she was bathing. Stites allegedly didn't respond to a request for an explanation of the incident.

Thurston County

In April 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Yunhong Li of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Li allegedly gave a full body massage without the proper credential.

Whitman County

In April 2013 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Marcie L. Gilliland (LH00007651) with unprofessional conduct. Gilliland allegedly didn't keep sufficient progress notes for nine clients.

Out of State

Florida: In March 2013 the Chiropractic Commission denied a chiropractor credential to Eduardo Jubis (CH60322535), whose credential is on probation in Florida.

Idaho: In April 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Tracy M. Meyers (RN00160716) with unprofessional conduct. Meyers allegedly didn't comply with a previous stipulation.

Oregon: In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a certified nursing assistant credential to Luana Lynn Van Lanker (NC60289828). In 2008 she was convicted of reckless driving; in 2009 and again in 2011 she was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

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 and follow us on Twitter.

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