State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., June 11 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In April 2014 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Kristie M. Martinez (LP00058071) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Charges say Martinez was hospitalized after overdosing on prescribed antidepressants.

Clark County

In April 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Shawnna L. Dixon (RN00170527) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. While under treatment for multiple health issues, Dixon allegedly had difficulty performing her duties as a clinical nurse. After she was prescribed narcotic medication, Dixon's co-workers allegedly observed her as having slurred speech and being unsteady on her feet, with glazed eyes. A physician's examination indicated that Dixon's medication use could affect her ability to safely care for patients.

King County

In March 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Richard Dean Bowers (CO60371115) and placed him on probation for at least three years. Between 2004 and 2010 Bowers was convicted of nine felonies, 13 gross misdemeanors, and two misdemeanors.

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Anna Helena Wahlstrom (CO60294494).

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional and chemical dependency professional trainee Christine Francoise Conway (CO60211826, CP60327542).

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Virginia Carol Millar (CO60444627) and placed her on probation for at least three years. In 2002 Millar was convicted of first-degree theft. In 2010 she was convicted of third-degree driving while license suspended. In 2011 she was convicted of second-degree possession of stolen property.

In April 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Teresita Cayanan Bautista (NA60196528) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while Bautista was working at an adult family home, a patient choked on some food, depriving the patient's brain of oxygen. Instead of calling 911 for emergency services, Bautista allegedly unsuccessfully attempted to perform the Heimlich maneuver before summoning other staff members. Charges say that although emergency personnel were eventually dispatched, the lack of oxygen contributed to the patient's death several days later. After finding that Bautista neglected a vulnerable adult, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services determined she can't be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Kitsap County

In April 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jennifer Mae Sexton (NA00133776) with unprofessional conduct. Sexton, while working at an adult family home, allegedly financially exploited a patient who wrote her four checks totaling $1,010. She hasn't responded to a Department of Health investigator's inquiry.

In April 2014 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Teresa Marie Brakefield (D160028485) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while Brakefield's credential was suspended for being intoxicated at work, fraudulently writing prescriptions, and not complying with a Department of Health investigation, she worked in a front office position at a dental practice. Brakefield allegedly forged prescriptions for controlled substances, using her employer's name and Drug Enforcement Administration number. She hasn't responded to a Department of Health investigator's inquiries.

Pierce County

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional and the Marriage and Family Therapist programs entered into an agreement with chemical dependency professional, marriage and family therapist associate and marriage and family therapist Jennifer Armstrong Ferguson (CP00005222, MG60171687, LF60079410) under which her credentials will be monitored for at least 18 months. Ferguson didn't use appropriate therapy strategies for a client involved in a parenting dispute.

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended probation for chemical dependency professional and chemical dependency professional trainee Steven Helmut Fischer (CP60213201, CO60148114).

In April 2014 the Chiropractic Commission entered into an agreement with chiropractor Michael L. Milasich (CH00000943) that requires him to pay a $1,000 fine; pass an exam in ethics and professional boundaries; and complete continuing education in billing, recordkeeping and X-ray. Milasich had discrepancies in billing and treatment records for six patients. He didn't comply with a 2011 requirement to pass an exam in ethics and professional boundaries.

In April 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ian R. Muigai (NA60421267) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a retirement community, Muigai allegedly forced another caregiver into a bathroom, kissed her neck, touched her breasts over her clothes, tried to take her pants off, pulled down his own pants, and tried to make her touch his penis. Muigai faces criminal charges of second-degree attempted rape, indecent liberties, and unlawful imprisonment.

Skagit County

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional credential to Erik Ostergaard (CP60398866), who must continue to comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract to which he agreed when he received a chemical dependency professional trainee credential in 2011.

Snohomish County

In April 2014 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program entered into an agreement with paramedic Thomas C. Jackson II (ES60042709) that restricts his practice for at least three years. Jackson must comply with terms and conditions of medical treatment.

Spokane County

In April 2014 the Certified Counselor Program conditionally granted a certified counselor credential to Nikki Rae Easterling (CL60426086), who must comply with conditions imposed on her chemical dependency professional credential in March 2014.

In April 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended conditions on the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Deanne Lee Watson (CO60314229).

Thurston County

In April 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant credentials to Mariah Kay McBride (NA60416345, NC60433139) and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. When McBride applied for her licenses in November 2013, she indicated she hadn't illegally used controlled substances within the previous two years. In January 2012 McBride told a Grays Harbor County sheriff's deputy she had sold stolen items to get money to buy heroin. In 2012

McBride was convicted of third-degree possession of stolen property. In January 2014 McBride told a Department of Health investigator she had used heroin until her arrest in January 2012.

Yakima County

In March 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Veronica Anne Navarro (CO60435897), also known as Veronica A. Pacheco, placed her on probation and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2004 Navarro was granted a health care assistant credential, which was suspended when she didn't meet conditions under which it was granted. Between 2001 and 2013 she was convicted of two felonies and three gross misdemeanors.

Out of State

California: In April 2014 the Department of Health denied a petition from Kevin Matthew McCarthy (MA00010326) to reinstate his massage practitioner credential. In 2012 McCarthy was convicted in Oregon of possession of marijuana and of unlawful delivery of marijuana.

Colorado: In April 2014 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the credential of Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. (CF60030054).

Florida: In April 2014 the Pharmacy Commission issued a notice of its intent revoke the nonresident pharmacy credential of Medical Arts Pharmacy Services (FO00059008), which allegedly hasn't responded to requests for information about controlled substances delivered to Washington patients.

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).

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