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

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 5 -- 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"(https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/providercredentialsearch/) in the "How Do I?" section of the Department of Health home page(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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In January 2013 the Secretary of Health denied the nursing assistant application of Linda Diane Duty (NA60196220) because of a 2005 felony conviction for first-degree theft.

Clark County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Justin A. Alzaidi (NA60216569) for at least two years. He mixed up medications for two residents in the adult family home he owned, and didn't watch the residents take their medications, resulting in one resident needing to be hospitalized. He threatened another resident who confronted Alzaidi about the error.

Franklin County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Amanda L. Perez-Leon (NA00106161) for at least five years. In May 2012 while providing in-home care to a patient, Perez-Leon took $600 in cash without permission. Perez-Leon had felony convictions for possession of stolen property, and methamphetamine possession, and gross misdemeanor convictions for shoplifting and theft from 2002 and 2011, which weren't reported to the Department of Health as required.

King County

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program placed registered and certified nursing assistant Jamie A. Supulveda (NC60252850, NA60241442) on probation for at least 36 months. While employed at a skilled nursing facility, she attempted to move a resident who required two people to move. As a result, the resident worsened a pre-existing hip injury. Terms of her probation include taking continuing education classes and submitting quarterly performance reports.

In February 2013 the Department of Health suspended the credential of massage practitioner Fang Lin (MA60074112) for at least five years and ordered her to pay a $5,000 administrative fine. In 2011, while she was owner and manager of Zen Spa in Lynnwood she provided sexual services for a fee.

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of Jennifer J. Micomi-Owens (RN00119641) for not complying with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In February 2013 the Board of Physical Therapy suspended the credential of physical therapist Steven Dennis Lee (PT00006110) for at least two years. He took several Vicodin and Oxycontin tablets, a controlled substance, from patients for his own personal use.

In February 2013 the Chiropractic Commission suspended the credential of chiropractor David Mark Silverstein (CH00002447) for at least two years and ordered him to pay a $5,000 fine. In September 2012 Silverstein pleaded guilty and was convicted of theft of government funds. For several years, he fraudulently posed as the landlord for a woman he was in a romantic relationship with, allowing her to receive housing assistance she wasn't qualified for.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credentials of Evonne Wagner Sears (HP60154363, AF60133217, FC60226872), a sex offender treatment provider and hypnotherapist, until she's met conditions including completing 1,500 hours of education. Once coursework is completed, she must be monitored for at least two years while practicing as a sex offender treatment provider and hypnotherapist. The Sex Offender Treatment Provider Program and Registered Hypnotherapist Program found that Sears practiced as a provider without required supervision by a psychologist. She also disclosed treatment records about one of her patients to a divorce attorney without the patient's permission.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health placed one of the credentials of certified nursing assistant Nora Okyere (NC10053251, NC10024915, NC10019481) on probation for at least four years, and permanently revoked credentials under the names Cecilia Resberg and Cecilia D. Bekoe. She misrepresented information in her applications for the two revoked credentials. She was also ordered to pay a $1,500 fine and complete coursework in legal issues and ethics.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credentials of certified and registered nursing assistant Christopher Cavalieri (NA60138587, NA60075746) for at least two years. While employed at a skilled nursing facility, Cavalieri borrowed about $240 from three residents and used controlled substances without a prescription.

Klickitat County

In February 2013 physician assistant David J. Tuning (PA10001203) voluntarily surrendered his license to the Medical Commission. While employed with a family medicine clinic owned by Klickitat Valley Hospital, Tuning conducted a sexual relationship with a patient.

Lewis County

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of Miranda Mae Klemola (NA60287635, NC60195622), a registered and certified nursing assistant, until she has completed continuing education classes in anger management, and patient rights and dignity. In February 2012, while employed at a skilled nursing facility, she acted below the standard of care when she became impatient with a resident, yelled at him, used profanity, and pushed him. The resident wasn't injured.

Lincoln County

In January 2013 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse John A. Brucker (RN00106459) for at least 24 months. Brucker tested positive for marijuana after reports of erratic behavior while at work.

Pierce County

In January 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Cody L. Burnett (NC10054798) for at least two years. She mentally and verbally abused vulnerable adults while employed in a supported living facility in 2011.

In February 2013 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Ashley Kay Hutchison (LP60306027). In September 2012 the Oklahoma Board of Nursing accepted the voluntary surrender of her practical nursing credential. Earlier in 2012 Hutchison called in six unauthorized prescriptions for controlled substances for herself and a friend.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Lashaunda Lashae Crocklem (NC60083783)for at least two years. While employed by Tacoma Lutheran Retirement Community from 2009 to 2011, she forged a letter starting she wasn't currently working for medical reasons and an employment verification form in an attempt to get financial assistance from the Department of Social and Health Services. She also falsely claimed to provide private in-home care for a resident.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health indefinitely suspended the credential of sex offender treatment provider Lang Taylor (FC00000022). In July 2011 a client paid Taylor $650 to conduct a psychosexual evaluation and provide a copy to the client's community corrections officer. In September 2011 Taylor told the client he was retiring but would finish the evaluation. He didn't complete the evaluation or give it to the community corrections officer.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of dental hygienist Deborah J. Almario (DH00006246) for at least six months during which time she is required to enroll in a substance abuse monitoring program. If she applies for reinstatement, she'll be placed on probation for at least 42 months. Almario provided dental services to a patient in a dentist's office without his knowledge, or permission, took dental supplies from his office and gave them to the patient, and bought and delivered a controlled substance through an online pharmacy without a valid prescription. She also used the patient's debit card for the purchase of controlled substances without the patient's permission.

Spokane County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credentials of registered and certified nursing assistant Miranda Ruth Crigger (NA60104836, NC60128270) for at least five years. She was convicted of third-degree possession of stolen property and didn't report it to the Department of Health, as required.

In January 2013 the Department of Health indefinitely suspended the credentials of registered and certified nursing assistant James L. Sale (NC60017246, NA00192552). He didn't comply with an order to complete coursework and submit quarterly reports.

Thurston County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Rebecca J. Elam (NC10102470) for at least two years. She didn't comply with an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In January 2013 the Secretary of Health ordered Tricha Baker to cease and desist the unlicensed practice as a veterinary technician and fined her $500. From 2006 to 2012, she performed duties that require a license including anesthesia monitoring, dispensing prescription drugs, administering controlled substances, and conducting diagnostic procedures.

In January 2013 the Secretary of Health ordered Tao Wang to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of massage and fined Wang $1,000.

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health ordered Xia Li to cease and desist the unlicensed practice of massage and fined Li $1,000.

Yakima County

In February 2013 the Secretary of Health indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Erika G. Amaro (NA60198158). She didn't comply with terms of her probation.

The Department of Health website(http://www.doh.wa.gov/) (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).

TNS-LE 130308-4235229 StaffFurigay