State Disciplines Health Care Providers

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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Asotin County

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program conditionally granted a certified nursing assistant credential to Matthew Daniel Levi St. John (NC60448801) and placed him on probation for at least 24 months. In 2008 St. John was convicted of five counts of second-degree theft.

Benton County

In May 2014 the Chiropractic Commission ended probation for chiropractor Scott Kelly Akridge (CH00001581).

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Florinda Garcia Flores (NC10091038) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations are that Flores didn't comply with a 2013 stipulation requiring her to notify her employer that she was on probation, and that she submitted unemployment declarations even while employed.

King County

In May 2014 the Medical Commission ended an agreed order with physician Chester E. Jangala Jr. (MD00023662), who fulfilled conditions of the agreement.

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Tara Kay Nelson (NA60258412, NC60267873) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly used a client's debit card to withdraw $149.68 without informing or repaying the client. Nelson entered a diversion program after being charged with second-degree theft.

In May 2014 the Medical Commission reinstated the license of physician Cynthia M. Smyth (MD00033399). She's on probation and must continue participating in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2012 Smyth's credential was immediately suspended because her alcohol use made her unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. A 2013 agreement extended the suspension and required Smyth to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In May 2014 the Medical Commission ended an agreed order with physician William J. Washington (MD00046967), who fulfilled conditions of the agreement.

Pierce County

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission ended probation for licensed practical nurse Amos P. Brinkley III (LP00037369).

In May 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Barutay Dontiese Lamkin (CO60385252). The program placed her on probation and ordered her to undergo an evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 1993 and 2009 Lamkin was convicted of seven felonies and one gross misdemeanor.

In May 2014 the Health Care Assistant Program ended probation for health care assistant Adrienne H. Ashley (HC60201893).

In May 2014 the Denturists Board charged denturist Patrick C. Grant (DN00000196) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations say Grant didn't meet the standard of care while providing dentures to a patient. Allegations include not taking a patient health history, not giving the patient a full explanation of treatment, constructing inadequate dentures, and not creating an adequate treatment chart. It's also alleged that Grant gave false information in response to a Department of Health inquiry.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Earl R. Easterday, Jr. (LP00031227) with unprofessional conduct. Easterday worked at a skilled nursing facility. Charges say he treated a resident by himself even though the patient's care plan required that she have two caregivers present, that Easterday didn't document his assessment and treatment of the resident, and that he made false entries in three other residents' medical records.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Erich Arlt (RN00137850) with unprofessional conduct. Between 2005 and 2011, Arlt was convicted of one felony and seven gross misdemeanors.

In May 2014 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Kenneth J. Stanton (CH00002176) with unprofessional conduct. Stanton allegedly violated a 2010 reinstatement order requiring him to have a female chiropractic assistant present while treating female patients.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Amy J. Thaves (RN00134256) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly admitted to her employer that she'd diverted narcotic medication from patients.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Kristina Lynn Stockwell (LP00057495) with unprofessional conduct. In October 2013 Stockwell applied to reactivate her expired license. In 2009 she was convicted of fourth-degree assault. In 2012 she was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance - methamphetamine.

In May 2014 the Medical Commission ended an agreed order with physician Dennis J. Geyer (MD00048961), who fulfilled conditions of the agreement.

In May 2014 the Medical Commission reinstated the license of physician Timothy B. Jolley (MD00015352). Jolley's license was suspended in 2004 after he had sexual relationships with patients' mothers; the suspension was stayed and he was placed on probation.

Skagit County

In May 2014 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Isaac S. Pritchard (VA00069625) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly tested positive for methamphetamines during a pre-employment drug screen.

Snohomish County

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Mary E. LeBihan (NA60024024) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations say that while working as a caregiver, LeBihan hid a resident's personal belongings and took or tried to take her purse as discipline to get the resident to follow her orders. LeBihan allegedly made an abusive remark to another resident. The Department of Social and Health Services, which found LeBihan had abused vulnerable adults, prohibited her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Spokane County

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Ashley Nicole Umhoefer (NA60194840, NC60196193) with unprofessional conduct. She worked at an adult family home and allegedly admitted stealing $15 from a patient, having a drug problem, and stealing drugs from patients' rooms.

In May 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Alicia Marie McDonald (NA60162128) with unprofessional conduct. She was charged with third-degree theft

after allegedly stealing an iPad that belonged to a resident of an adult family home where she worked.

Stevens County

In <chron>May 2014 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Angela L. McClain (RN00148932), whose license was suspended in 2011 after she married a former patient.

Out of State

California: In May 2014 the East Asian Medicine Practitioner Program reinstated the East Asian medicine practitioner credential of Kevin R. Kiper (AC00000647) and placed him on probation for at least two years. Kiper's credential was revoked for at least 10 years in 2004. He practiced without a license after his credential was suspended for nonpayment of child support, practiced massage without a massage credential, and advertised that he had a degree even though Washington doesn't recognize that degree. He also had a sexual relationship with one patient and inappropriate sexual contact with another patient.

New Mexico: In May 2014 the Medical Commission entered into an agreement with physician David M. Melamed (MD00031564) that prohibits him from attempting to renew his Washington license until December 25, 2016, and requires him to pay a $1,000 fine. Melamed's New Mexico license was restricted because he misrepresented his military and academic background. He didn't comply with a Washington recommendation that he undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Although he wasn't permitted to practice in Washington, he prescribed controlled substances for patients in the state and didn't cooperate with a commission inquiry.

Oregon: In May 2014 the Marriage and Family Therapist Program ended conditions on the credential of licensed marriage and family therapist Susan Spillane-Bramlette (LF00001909).

Oregon: In May 2014 the Veterinary Board entered into an agreement with veterinarian April Julie Plummer (VT00003396) restricting her from practicing veterinary medicine on any animals but her own for at least a year. Plummer must complete continuing education and pay a $2,500 fine. She provided substandard care to a horse. In 2012 she surrendered her Oregon credential.

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