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

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 26 -- 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 (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 March 2013 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Darcy A. Rathka (RN60028951). She didn't comply with terms of a substance abuse monitoring program and tested positive for alcohol use.

Clallam County

In April 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant April Lynn Price (NA60046479) for at least five years. Price was found guilty of violating a protection order and fourth-degree assault, domestic violence.

In April 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant James L. Still (NA00109505) for at least 24 months. While working as a caregiver for residents requiring 24-hour supervision, he left his worksite and was involved in a traffic accident. He was later convicted for driving under the influence.

Clark County

In March 2013 the secretary of health ordered that Holly A. Briggs cease-and-desist the unlicensed practice of massage. Briggs was also fined $500.

In April 2013 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of agency affiliated counselor Mark Allen Grassi (GC60161098). While employed with Lifeline Connections, a substance abuse treatment agency, Grassi discovered marijuana on the ground. Instead of disposing of it, which is the agency's protocol, he kept it. Over the next two weeks he smoked the marijuana and admitted to consuming methamphetamine.

In April 2013 Nelly C. Beebe (NA60004260) voluntarily surrendered her nursing assistant credential. While providing care for a group home resident who was a vulnerable adult, Beebe used forceful contact out of frustration with the patient. The Department of Social and Health Services prohibited her from being employed in a position that involved care of vulnerable adults.

King County

In April 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of massage practitioner Fei Fei Liu (MA60180016) for at least 12 months. Liu owned Relaxation Foot Spa in Puyallup and employed someone who was not a licensed massage practitioner; Liu pleaded guilty in Pierce County Superior Court to employing an unlicensed massagist.

In March 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Gurwinder Kaur (NC10096171) for at least two years. In 2011 Kaur attempted to transfer a patient by herself even though the patient's care plan required two people for the transfer. The mechanical transfer device fell on the patient, injuring the patient's hand. The Department of Social and Health services found that Kaur had neglected the patient and restricted Kaur from being employed in the care of vulnerable adults.

In March 2013 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Anna-Mari J. Balagot (RN00103775), who didn't comply with an agreement to complete a refresher course.

Okanogan County

In April 2013 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of chemical dependency professional Miguel A. Sanchez (CP00003267), who didn't respond to a department inquiry about a complaint against his practice.

Pacific County

In March 2013 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse Karol Lynn Stover (RN00103574) for at least 24 months. In June 2012, while employed at Ocean Beach Hospital in Ilwaco, she tested positive for methamphetamine use.

Pierce County

In March 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant April Bell (NAC.NA.10055870) for at least three years. While employed as a support counselor for an agency that served people with disabilities, Bell physically abused a client she transported to a Seattle cancer care facility. The Department of Social and Health Services prohibited her from caring for vulnerable adults.

In March 2013 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Monica Rae Medeiros (RN60269229). In December 2012 the Virginia Board of Nursing indefinitely suspended her Virginia credential after finding she had diverted drugs and abused substances.

In March 2013 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of licensed practical nurse Stephanie L. Henzel (LP00036991) for at least three years. She has felony convictions for obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, second-degree theft, and second-degree identity theft.

In April 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of agency affiliated counselor Lora Dear (CG60161805) for at least five years. While employed by Valley Cities in 2010, Dear was involved in an inappropriate personal relationship with a patient she was treating in a domestic violence treatment program.

Snohomish County

In April 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Samson Kibet Chemonges (NA60078966) for at least two years. In November 2012 the Department of Social and Health Services found that Chemonges neglected a vulnerable adult while employed by Ambitions of Washington. Chemonges may not be employed in the care of vulnerable adults.

Spokane County

In April 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Corey A. Holten (NC10036824) for at least 10 years. Holten was convicted of attempted first degree assault-domestic violence after he violated a protection order, went to his ex-wife's residence, pushed a gun into her chest, and threatened to kill her.

Thurston County

In March 2013 the secretary of health ordered Maoxing Xing to cease-and-desist the unlicensed practice of massage and pay a $1,000 fine.

Out of State

Arizona: In March 2013 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Andrea M. McGonigle (RN60001678). While working as an agency nurse assigned to Allenmore Hospital in 2010, McGonigle didn't follow protocol for administering lorazepam for a patient's alcohol withdrawal symptoms. The patient had an allergic reaction that was discovered by another nurse.

Maryland: In April 2013 the Medical Commission immediately suspended the credential of physician John L. Young (MD60187941). In February 2013 the Maryland Board of Physicians suspended his Maryland medical license.

New York: In March 2013 the Medical Commission reinstated the credential of physician William C. Baerthlein (MD00039029), placed his license on probation, and fined him $2,000. He surrendered his New York medical license after admitting that he violated a previous order requiring him to be "alcohol-free." He also failed to report an offense of driving while impaired. Terms of Baerthlein's probation include participating in a substance abuse monitoring program.

Oregon: In March 2013 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of registered nurse Thaddeus R. Kwiecinski (RN00070153). He voluntarily surrendered his Oregon nursing license after testing positive for benzodiazepines and marijuana without prescriptions for either substance.

The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/WADeptHealth) and follow us on Twitter (https://twitter.com/WA_DeptofHealth).

TNS-LE 130430-4322666 StaffFurigay