State Revokes, Suspends Licenses, Certifications, Registrations of Health Care Providers

OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 3 -- The Washington state Department of Health issued the following news release:

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

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's website. Click on "Look up a healthcare provider license" in the "How Do I?" section of the Department of Health home page (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.

Clark County

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Aminata Jarjue Joof (NA00182361) for at least five years. In January 2012 the Department of Social and Health Services found that she had physically and mentally abused patients while working as a caregiver at an Alzheimer's facility. She is prohibited from caring for or having access to vulnerable adults.

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health ordered Douglas K. Dobberfuhl to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of counseling. Dobberfuhl provided and received fees for counseling services when he didn't have a counseling credential.

Grays Harbor County

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health indefinitely suspended the credentials of Rebecca Ann Bonnell (CO60159707 and CG60193393), an agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional trainee. She didn't comply with a previous stipulation that required continuing education, payment of costs, and submitting quarterly reports.

King County

In October 2012 the Medical Commission dismissed charges filed against physician Jim Chun Jen Hsu (MD00044903) and exonerated him.

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health withdrew charges against massage practitioner Xiao Y. Jiang (MA60229661).

In October 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Laurie K. McVay (RN00153372). McVay didn't properly document administration or wastage of a controlled substance on several occasions.

In November 2012 the Secretary of Health ordered Daniel I. Park to cease and desist unlicensed practice as a denturist. Park's denturist license expired in April 2009. When interviewed by a Department of Health investigator in May 2012, he admitted that he continued to treat patients without a license.

Kitsap County

In October 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Valerie A. McWhorter (RN00086235). She took controlled substances from a medication dispensing machine on six separate occasions and didn't document administration or wastage of the drugs.

Okanagan County

In October 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Judith Whalawitsa (LP00020007) Whalawitsa transcribed physician orders incorrectly on several occasions, used the wrong test strips for glucose testing, and administered medication doses that didn't match physician orders.

Pierce County

In October 2012 the Nursing Commission suspended registered nurse Heather Zachara also known as Heather Zachara Andrews (RN00177255) for not complying with a previous stipulation. She submitted an invalid test specimen for a drug screen, and didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.

Snohomish County

In October the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Teresa Dunn (RN00119860). To be reinstated, she must show evidence of being clean and sober for at least 24 consecutive months before reapplying. Dunn didn't comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Max Ortiz-Triana (NC10083224) for at least eight years. In February 2011 he was convicted of second-degree rape in King County Superior Court.

Thurston County

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Michael Danial Smith (NC10044378) for at least five years. In August 2011 the Department of Social and Health Services issued a finding that Smith had abused vulnerable adults.

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health ordered Meiling Jiang to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of massage. In May 2012 she pleaded guilty in Thurston County Court to practicing massage without a license.

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health ordered Shulan Jiang to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of massage. In May 2012 she pleaded guilty in Thurston County Court to practicing massage without a license.

Whatcom County

In October 2012 the Massage Program indefinitely suspended the credential of massage practitioner Jennifer M. Ingham (MA60238432) for not complying with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

Yakima County

In October 2012 the Secretary of Health indefinitely suspended the credentials of nursing assistant Brittney Anne Lewis (NC60143578 and NA60138027) for substance abuse. In April 2012, she tested positive for methamphetamine use in a drug screen and was fired from her job at a health care facility.

In October 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Julie Ann Coronado (NC10036773) for at least five years. She slapped or punched a resident of an adult family home, causing bruising, didn't report the incident, and attempted to conceal the resident's injuries.

Out of State

Alaska: In October 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Alyse Anne Settle (RN60172790). She abandoned her duty station for more than a half hour at the hospital where she was employed and returned to her station impaired. She admitted that she diverted and injected morphine and Benadryl.

Florida: In October the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Peggy Edith Ajax (RN00071101). In March 2012 the Colorado State Board of Nursing suspended her Colorado nursing license based on a disability which makes her unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

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