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

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 28 -- 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.

Chelan County

In January 2012 the Secretary of Health ordered James Barrett to cease-and-desist his unlicensed practice as a health care provider and pay a $1,000 fine. He advertised himself as a physical therapist and naturopathic doctor, and referred to himself as a doctor. He isn't licensed to practice health care in Washington.

Clallam County

In December 2012 the Dental Commission immediately suspended the license of dentist Benjamin T. Bentley-Dyches (DE60195272). In October 2012 Bentley-Dyches surrendered his Colorado dental license to the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners following charges of substandard dental care in that state.

Clark County

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Christopher Lee Carlson (RN60046603). His Oregon nursing license was revoked by the Oregon nursing board in May 2012.

In November 2012 the Board of Nursing Home Administrators suspended the credential of nursing home administrator Joseph Anthony Joy (NH60017642) until he responds to an investigator's inquiry about a complaint against him by a resident.

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Marcy C. Harris (RN00154541). In August 2012 Harris surrendered her Oregon nursing credential to the Oregon nursing board after testing positive for hydrocodone and morphine. Her employer fired her after she called in unauthorized prescriptions for Vicodin in June 2012.

Franklin County

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Kimberly M. Perry (RN00142012) for not complying with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. She tested positive for substance abuse in July 2012.

King County

In December 2012 the Surgical Technologist Program indefinitely suspended the registration of Sabdaniayu Tarigan (ST00003280). She was on probation and was ordered to complete six hours of continuing education in communicating with patients, legal issues, and ethics. She didn't submit proof that she had completed the training.

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Estera Gradinaru (RN00174148). She diverted liquid morphine from a patient for her own use and didn't comply with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In December 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credentials of registered and certified nursing assistant Karen Sue Williams (NA00194766, NC60146385) for at least five years. She moved into a client's home and borrowed $50 from the client which she never repaid.

In December 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Dan J. Hitchman (NC60236993). He didn't comply with terms and conditions of his probation.

In December 2012 the Veterinary Board of Governors indefinitely suspended the credential of veterinary technician Timothy S. Rollins (AT00002064) for not complying with an agreement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.

In December 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Laura L. Howe (NC10067125) for at least five years. While employed as a caregiver in 2011, she neglected and abandoned a client who was a vulnerable adult. The Department of Social and Health Services entered findings against Howe that prevent her from being employed in the care of vulnerable adults, or in a position that allows unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Kittitas County

In December 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Michelle Irene Durfee (NA60215552) for at least two years. Durfee falsified timesheets claiming she had provided 52 hours of care to a patient and was then paid by the Department of Social and Health Services for time she didn't work. Durfee also took a heavily medicated patient shopping and coerced the patient into buying things for her.

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of Paige Moureen Moore (RN60173310). On several occasions in 2011, Moore signed out narcotic drugs for a patient but didn't document administering or wasting the medication.

Lewis CountyIn December 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Brandee L. Leal-Lopez (NC10064144) for at least two years. She entered her neighbor's home without permission, broke into a safe, stole a pack of cigarettes, and ingested Vyvanse, a controlled substance from the neighbor's supply.

Pierce County

In December 2012 the Massage Practitioner Program indefinitely suspended the credential of massage practitioner Jeffery A. Bray (MA00021118). Bray didn't comply with terms of his probation.

In December 2012 the Secretary of Health permanently revoked the credentials of Jacqueline Rena Ray (LR000000588 and NA00060801), a respiratory care practitioner and registered nursing assistant. Ray was charged in August 2012 with first degree murder of her son-in-law. She's currently in custody.

In December 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Joanne H. Witte (LP00045333). She didn't comply with terms of a substance abuse monitoring program.

In December 2012 the Secretary of Health indefinitely suspended the credential of paramedic Gareth William Gabb (ES60112453). He didn't comply with an agreement to complete coursework and reimburse program costs.

In December 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program indefinitely suspended the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Tonya Leeann Pearson (CO60150076). She didn't comply with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

Snohomish County

In December 2012 the Pharmacy Board indefinitely suspended the credential of pharmacy technician Christian A. Cliff (VA00039103). He didn't comply with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

Spokane County

In December 2012 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Tanya K. Sturm-Triano (NA60191028) for at least two years. While employed at an adult family home, she used cocaine and took about 200 hydrocodone tablets from residents for her own use.

In December 2012 the Secretary of Health revoked the credential of emergency medical technician Trevor L. Veillette (ES01175229) for at least 10 years. He was convicted of third-degree assault of a child with sexual motivation and second-degree assault of a child, both felonies.

Thurston County

In December 2012 the Department of Health indefinitely suspended the credentials of Sonia M. Whyte (LR00003355 and NA60120000), a respiratory care practitioner and registered nursing assistant. She didn't comply with an agreed order to pay a $2,000 fine and complete college coursework.

Whatcom County

In December 2012 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of dental assistant Melissa Raleigh Karon (D160142212). She didn't comply with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

Out of State

Florida: In December 2012 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Jay W. Rydberg (RN00168233). In October 2012 the Alaska Board of Nursing denied Rydberg's application to reinstate a lapsed credential. Rydberg attempted to get a license by fraud or deceit.

Hawaii: In December 2012 the Medical Commission suspended the credential of physician James R. Frede (MD60128691) for at least five years. In May 2012 the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation indefinitely suspended his Illinois physician's license for prescribing lend drugs to patients over the Internet without physical exams or reviewing medical records.

New York: In December 2012 the Medical Commission immediately suspended the credential of physician William C. Baerthlein (MC00039029). Baerthlein surrendered his New York medical license in response to 13 charges by the New York State Board for Professional Medical Conduct, including failing to report a conviction of driving under the influence.

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