State Disciplines Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 25 -- 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The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 June 2014 the Medical Commission charged physician Stephen L. Smith (MD00019257) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that while treating a 15-year-old boy who'd been diagnosed with autism Smith didn't maintain adequate documentation, or refer the patient to specialists to confirm the autism diagnosis. Smith also treated the patient with substances that don't address autism symptoms, and diagnosed the patient with lead poisoning despite a lack of evidence.

In June 2014 the Medical Assistant Program conditionally granted a registered medical assistant credential to Sonja Mata (MR60399608) and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2007 Mata was convicted of consumption of liquor by a minor. In 2011 she was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

Clark County

In May 2014 the Pharmacy Commission denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Cindy Marie Wheeler, also known as Cindy Marie Higdon (VB60422156), whose certified nursing assistant credential was suspended in 2012.

In June 2014 the Medical Assistant and X-Ray Technician programs charged certified medical assistant and X-ray technician Nichole Renee Stahley (CM60355840, XT60236046) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a clinic, Stahley allegedly tested positive for methamphetamine and admitted having used the drug the weekend before the test.

King County

In June 2014 the Social Worker Program conditionally granted an independent clinical social worker associate credential to Tana Leigh Adams (SC60416297) and placed her on probation. For about two years, Adams practiced without a credential. She must refund $275 to a client she billed during that time.

In June 2014 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Shamay Monique Haskin, also known as Melody Harwell and as Tabra Rene Cunningham (D160058955), with unprofessional conduct. Allegations are that she used a forged recommendation letter while seeking a job. In 1990 she was convicted of third-degree theft. In 2010 she was convicted of third-degree theft and obstructing a public official. Charges say that on her application to practice as a dental assistant, Haskin didn't disclose her 1990 conviction or her aliases.

In June 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional and Agency Affiliated Counselor programs charged chemical dependency professional and agency affiliated counselor Julie A. Heter (CP60109621, CG60140633) with unprofessional conduct. Heter counseled a client who was an inmate at a correctional facility. Allegations are that after the client was released from custody, Heter moved in with and had a sexual relationship with the client.

In June 2014 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant-phlebotomist Scott L. Hollis (PC60358735) with unprofessional conduct. While working as a lab manager, Hollis allegedly ordered lab work for himself and relatives with no order from a health care provider, and removed billing charges associated with the testing. Hollis allegedly ordered blood tests for another patient with no order from a health care provider and without the patient's knowledge or consent, and acted outside his scope of practice when he performed and incorrectly interpreted a tuberculosis skin test.

In June 2014 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Edward Manora (CM60393841) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations are that while working at a clinic, Manora hugged and kissed a patient in an examination room and then followed her to the front desk, into the elevator, and to a coffee shop. Charges say the patient was able to leave the coffee shop when Manora excused himself to use the restroom. He admitted kissing the patient.

In June 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Amanda Caballero (NC60314330) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations say that while working in an adult family home, Caballero didn't complete a blood sugar test on a patient but indicated on chart notes that she had.

In June 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Cindy B. Piper of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Piper, who doesn't have a dispensing optician license, allegedly identified herself as an optician and offered assistance in fitting eyeglasses. Charges say Piper's employer's website identified her as an optician, and said she was trained "in eyeglass fittings, dispensing and contact lens trainings and fittings."

Pend Oreille County

In June 2014 the Medical Commission charged physician Timothy V. Chavis (MD60099687) with unprofessional conduct. Chavis allegedly didn't follow up with appropriate care for two patients who experienced complications after surgery, thus creating a risk of harm to the patients.

Pierce County

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreement with licensed practical nurse Kristina Lynn Stockwell (LP00057495) that reinstates her expired credential and requires her to enroll in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2009 she was convicted of fourth-degree assault. In 2012 she was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine.

Snohomish County

In June 2014 the Medical Assistant Program entered into an agreement with certified medical assistant Rachel Caroline Danger (CM60374895) that indefinitely suspends her credential. While working at a clinic, she used a clinic doctor's name to generate a prescription for controlled substances.

In June 2014 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program reinstated the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Allison N. Alexander (CO60253336), ordered her to enroll in a substance abuse monitoring program, and directed her to complete course work in professional law and ethics. Alexander's credential was suspended in 2012 because she didn't comply with an order to enroll in a substance abuse monitoring program and to complete course work in professional law and ethics.

In May 2014 the East Asian Medicine Program charged East Asian Medicine practitioner Kuo-Chiang Yee (AC00000009) with unprofessional conduct. Although a 1992 stipulation required Yee to have a female monitor present while treating female patients, it's alleged that Yee massaged a female patient's bare breasts and put his mouth on her nipples, explaining that he "needed to check the fluids." He allegedly put his hands between her legs and told her she needed to "rub here," asked to look at the patient's tongue, kissed her, and stuck his tongue in her mouth. The patient said no female monitor was present. Yee was criminally charged with indecent liberties.

In June 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Guadalupe Caballero (NA60261081) with unprofessional conduct. Allegations are that while working in an adult family home, Caballero didn't complete a blood sugar test on a patient but indicated on chart notes she had.

Spokane County

In June 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified James J. Byrnes of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Byrnes, who doesn't have a physician license, allegedly performed tuberculin sensitivity tests on three students at a school he owned.

Thurston County

In June 2014 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Karin Aileen Lane (NC10079228) with unprofessional conduct. In 2012, Lane was convicted of reckless driving and of third-degree theft. Also in 2012 Lane entered a diversion program after being charged with second-degree theft.

Walla Walla County

In June 2014 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kimberly Marie Christensen (RN00150775) with unprofessional conduct. Christensen allegedly tested positive for controlled substances while she was subject to the terms of a substance abuse monitoring contract. According to allegations, she had no valid prescription for the controlled substances.

Whatcom County

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of David A. Dutcher (RN00131711), whose credential was suspended in 2007 because he didn't comply with terms of his probation.

Out of State

Illinois: In May 2014 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of Paulette M. Bell (RN00167637), which was suspended in 2012 after her Nevada license was suspended.

Oregon: In May 2014 the Nursing Commission ended probation for licensed practical nurse Vivian D. Bethea (LP00051245).

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