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

OLYMPIA, Wash., March 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 (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 2014 the statement of charges filed on September 27, 2006 against Adam T. Smith (DOOP00002222) was dismissed and Dr. Smith was exonerated by the Board of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery.

Clark County

In December 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Amber Marie Mahley (NA60338439) for at least five years. Mahley was convicted of third degree theft, which is a gross misdemeanor, and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, a class C felony.

In February 2014 the secretary of health immediately suspended the credential of nursing assistant Natyjoy M. Pangot (NA.60083627) pending further action. Pangot was issued a notice of final finding by the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) for neglect and abuse of a vulnerable adult. Pangot is prohibited from caring for and having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults. DSHS found that Pangot had sexually and mentally abused a resident between February and June 2013.

In December 2013 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Wendelin R. Russell (NC60014876) for at least two years. Russell, who was employed as a caregiver, stole medications from a patient's home after that patient had died.

King County

In January 2014 the Nursing Commission put registered nurse Tarri L. Cafarelli (RN00172934) on probation for at least two years. Cafarelli didn't adequately document medication administration while working at Overlake Hospital. Within two years, she must successfully complete 24 hours of course work preapproved by the commission, which includes eight hours in medication documentation, eight hours in time management, and eight hours in medication administration.

In January 2014 the Medical Commission put the license of physician Mitchell Lee Cohen (MD00028854) under oversight until he completes continuing education course pre-approved by the commission on medical ethics. Cohen used Facebook to friend-request his patient three days after performing a colonoscopy on her.

In December 2013 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Jessica Deleon (NA00039230). The department received a complaint that Deleon had taken money from a resident while employed as a registered nursing assistant at Community Living in Yakima. Deleon didn't respond to several notices sent to her requesting that she answer the complaint.

In December 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Valerie Taina Lelea (NA60258126) for at least five years. An investigation by Adult Protective Services and the Department of Social and Health Services found that Lelea had borrowed money from a resident in her care and had also used that money to purchase goods for her own use.Lelea is prohibited from working with vulnerable adults.

In January 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Nora Okyere (NC10053251). Okyere didn't comply with the terms and conditions of an earlier agreed order.

In January 2014 the secretary of health suspended the credential of nursing assistant registered Robert M. Rubia (NA00196177) for three years. Rubia must successfully complete program-approved continuing education on boundaries/patient rights and appropriate patient hygiene practices. It was determined by the Department of Social and Health Services that Rubia had sexually abused a vulnerable adult. Rubia is now prohibited from having unsupervised access to or being employed in a position that involves care of vulnerable adults.

Kitsap County

In December 2013 the secretary of health permanently revoked the credential of registered nursing assistant Kalee Teresa Wyant (NA60184619). While working in a long-term care facility with vulnerable adults, Wyant stole jewelry and money valued at about $10,000. She then sold the stolen jewelry at multiple pawn shops.

Pierce County

In February 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Tonya Christine Jives (CO60355741). Jives didn't comply with the terms of an earlier agreement.

In January 2014 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of licensed nurse practitioner Melenie R. Motto (LP00034378). She didn't comply with the terms and conditions of an agreed order.

In February 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Jarod Lindale Nault (CO60378554), who didn't comply with the terms and conditions of an earlier agreement.

In January 2014 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of dental assistant Hilary Elyse Palmer (D160247364) because she didn't comply with the terms and conditions of an earlier agreement.

Snohomish County

In December 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Chentelle Nicole McBride (NC60059199) for at least five years. While working at Stafford Suites, McBride stole $100.00 from a patient. The theft was captured on a hidden video camera in the patient's room and McBride pleaded guilty to third degree theft.

Spokane County

In December 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of agency affiliated counselor Sarah Corene McCallum (CG60155656) for at least seven years. McCallum had sexual contact with a patient she treated while working as a sex offender treatment provider at a Washington correctional facility.

In December 2013 the secretary of health suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Nicole Annmarie Thompson (NA60247800) for at least five years. Thompson was convicted of second degree assault, a class B felony, in April of 2013.

Thurston County

In January 2014 the Secretary of Health withdrew the notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order against Marlene Overlin.

Yakima County

In December 2013 the Veterinary Board entered into an agreed order with veterinarian Jonathan G. Mercer (VT00001191). He retired and surrendered his credential to practice as a veterinarian in Washington. Mercer agrees not to resume practice, including temporary, emergency, or volunteer practice.

Walla Walla County

In December 2013 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse Terri Kay Cantrell (RN00106480) for at least two years. Cantrell allegedly diverted nitrous oxide and abandoned her patients for long periods of time while working at Kadlec Regional Medical Center and Lordes Medical Center. Before petitioning for reinstatement, Cantrell must demonstrate she's been clean and sober for at least two years.

Whatcom County

In December 2013 the secretary of health accepted the surrendered credentials of registered nursing assistant Leslie Fairchild (NA60013466). In July 2013, the Department of Social and Health Services issued a notice of final finding that Fairchild had abused a vulnerable adult while employed as a caregiver at an adult family home. As a result of those findings, she is no longer allowed to providing care or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Out of State

Arizona: In February 2014 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of practical nurse Kevin Joseph Milles (LP60397473) pending further disciplinary proceedings. Milles' credential to practice as a licensed practical nurse in Arizona was revoked on or about September 30, 2013 for not complying with an agreed order.

Georgia: In January 2014 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the license of Dennis S. Momah (MD00039084). He surrendered his Georgia medical license after pleading guilty to one count of distribution and dispensation of a controlled substance, a felony, in the United States District Court in the Southern District of Georgia in August 2013 and is currently imprisoned in Georgia.

The Department of Health website (http://www.doh.wa.gov/Home.aspx) (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

CC AutoTriage13cn-140329-30TagarumaMar-4684672 30TagarumaMar