State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 29 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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" (https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/) 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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Chelan County

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant and registered nursing assistant Shannon Rene Abrams (NC60277046, NA60239360) with unprofessional conduct. Abrams allegedly used a patient's credit card to make unauthorized purchases.

Clark County

In September 2013 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program charged paramedic Sarah Roskam, also known as Sarah Hozack (ES01170784), with unprofessional conduct. After injuring her back, Roskam allegedly became dependent on opioids and diverted controlled substances for her own use, completed substance abuse treatment and had a period of sobriety, but relapsed and again entered treatment.

In September 2013 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Kelly C. Smith (CH00002760) with unprofessional conduct. Smith allegedly treated seven patients while his credential was suspended, suggested an employee tell a commission investigator he'd treated only five patients during that time and directed an employee to fill out notes for treatment sessions Smith had provided.

Douglas County

In September 2013 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Vicki Lynn Harless, also known as Vicki L. Simmonds (CO60390554), and placed her on probation. In 2007 Harless was convicted of driving while intoxicated; third-degree theft; unlawful possession of a controlled substance -- methamphetamine; unlawful possession of a controlled substance -- heroin; and second-degree possession of stolen property. In 2008 she was convicted of conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to deliver. In 2010 she was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance -- methamphetamine.

Grant County

In September 2013 the Osteopathic Board entered an agreement with osteopathic physician Allen Quinn (OP00001193) that placed his credential on probation for at least five years. Quinn must undergo an assessment that includes cognitive function testing. The agreement restricts his prescribing authority and his treatment of chronic pain patients. Quinn provided substandard care to multiple patients dating back to 1994. Many of those cases involved prescriptions for controlled substances. He kept inadequate records. Quinn also treated family members.

King County

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Irene Nicole McGinnis (NA60338511). In 2008 McGinnis was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2009 she was convicted of operating a vehicle without an interlock device.

In September 2013 the Midwifery Program charged midwife Pamela A. Golliet (MW00000296) with unprofessional conduct. Golliet allegedly advertised as a midwife while her credential was suspended.

In September 2013 the Medical Commission charged physician Kenneth Hong (MD00016461) with unprofessional conduct. Hong allegedly provided substandard care to seven patients between 2000 and 2011, at times recording almost identical symptoms, diagnoses and treatment plans, at one time writing 259 prescriptions in a 24-hour period, with inadequate follow-up and no indication of patients' improvement. One patient's life was allegedly in danger because of a reaction to one of his medications, but Hong continued to prescribe it.

Kitsap County

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Akilah Rae Ross (NA60242124) with unprofessional conduct. Twice in 2012 Ross was convicted of both driving while intoxicated and of minor in possession.

Pierce County

In the Medical Commission ended a 2011 order on physician Andrew A. Kwon (MD00034844), who's license is now unrestricted.

Snohomish County

In September 2013 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Keith Ky Ly (OP00001670) with unprofessional conduct. In August 2012 Ly was disqualified from a state program that provides childhood vaccine to enrolled providers at no-cost. Ly allegedly didn't comply with regulations for vaccine administration, storage, recordkeeping, patient information, and preparation, including preparing vaccinations on a table used for storage of blood and urine samples. After being disqualified from the program, Ly allegedly refused to return or to reimburse for unused vaccine. He allegedly admitted his medical assistants weren't properly trained and allowed two unlicensed workers to give injections and perform other tasks for which they lacked credentials. A follow-up visit to Ly's clinic allegedly revealed uncorrected violations.

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Isatou Gassama Manka (NA60287963, NC60323822) with unprofessional conduct. While working for an adult family home, Gassama Manka allegedly kissed a patient and allegedly admitted having a romantic relationship with the patient.

In September 2013 the Health Care Assistant Program ended a suspension for health care assistant Holly S. Daquila (HC00147953).

In September 2013 the Health Care Assistant Program ended a suspension for health care assistant Patricia C. Flood (HC00151427, HC60001851).

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Tatyana Leonidovna Ogorodnik (NA60216762) with unprofessional conduct. She was denied a certified nursing assistant credential for failure to comply with a notice of required examination.

Spokane County

In September 2013 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Erica Curless that she will cease-and-desist performing animal massage without a credential.

In September 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Shannon Marie McKinney (NA60309472), who in 2007 and again in 2011 was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

In September 2013 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Sarah Corene McCallum (CG60155656) with unprofessional conduct. While she was working as a sex offender treatment provider in a correctional facility, McCallum allegedly had sexual contact with a patient. In 2013 she was convicted of two counts of official misconduct. She also hasn't complied with a Department of Health request for a written explanation.

In September 2013 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Tiffani Rae Lee (RN60066997) with unprofessional conduct. A Spokane hospital fired Lee after she allegedly couldn't explain discrepancies between her controlled substance withdrawals and the clinical record. Lee allegedly either diverted controlled substances or improperly documented their administration or disposal.

Thurston County

In September 2013 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Donna Jean LeBlanc (LP00055043) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly didn't comply with a previous stipulation.

Whitman County

In September 2013 the Mental Health Counselor Program entered an agreement with mental health counselor Marcie L. Gilliland (LH00007651) that placed her credential on probation for at least three years. Gilliland must pay a $5,000 fine. She didn't keep treatment progress notes for nine patients between 2009 and 2012.

Out of State

Alaska: In September 2013 the Medical Commission charged physician Erik P. Kohler (MD00028438) with unprofessional conduct. In 2011 his Alaska license was restricted.

New Mexico: In September 2013 the Medical Commission charged physician David M. Melamed (MD00031564) with unprofessional conduct. Melamed allegedly prescribed controlled substances to Washington residents in violation of a previous stipulation. He allegedly didn't cooperate with the commission's investigation. Melamed's New Mexico license was restricted because he falsified his military service background and academic record. He subsequently surrendered his California credential.

Oregon: In September 2013 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian April Julie Plummer (VT00003396) with unprofessional conduct. Plummer allegedly provided substandard care to an injured horse that subsequently died. In 2012 she agreed to surrender her Oregon veterinary credential.

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