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

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 23 -- 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 70 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 (www.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 April 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of massage practitioner Markel Kristina Town (MA60216509). The suspension stems from Town pleading guilty to delivery of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance with an intent to deliver, and manufacture of a controlled substance.

In April 2014 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse James William Green (RN60228074). His registered nurse credential in North Dakota was suspended for diverting controlled substances from his place of employment.

Island County

In April 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of emergency medical technician Christopher Eric Avance (ES60023091) after he didn't comply with the terms from an October 2013 agreed order.

In April 2014 the secretary of health suspended the credential of nursing assistant Kelley Frances Bugg (NA00112187) for at least three years. In December 2010 Bugg was found guilty of reckless driving. In October 2012, she was found guilty of third-degree theft.

King County

In June 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of nursing assistant Cesar R. Figueroa (NA60252178). A resident died after a fall while Figueroa was working as a nursing assistant at Waller Haven, a facility he owned. Figueroa never reported the fall to the victim's family or medical providers.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission suspended the credential of registered nurse Rebecca Morrison Martin (RN00053857) for at least two years. She didn't comply with a drug monitoring program and admitted to diverting morphine from her employer for personal use.

In April 2014 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a cease-and-desist order to Shufang Cong. He is the owner and operator of KangTai Spa and advertises various massage services but doesn't hold a massage credential.

In April 2014 the Medical Quality Assurance Commission reinstated the license of physician and surgeon Myles Ellis Goldflies (MD00046009) and put him on probation for at least one year. He surrendered his license in South Carolina after admitting to falling below the standard of care for two patients. He left the medical facility where he was employed to pick up two prescriptions for himself while his patient was still under general anesthesia.

Kitsap County

In May 2014 the secretary of health suspended the credential of nursing assistant Jennifer Mae Sexton (NA00133776) for at least three years after she financially exploited a vulnerable adult in her care. While working at the West Adult Family Home, she manipulated a patient into writing four checks to her.

In March 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of nursing assistant Matthew James Boston (NC60110715, NA60113808). He withdrew from a required drug and alcohol monitoring program.

In June 2014 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of dental assistant Teresa Marie Brakefield (D160028485). Her license was previously suspended for being under the influence while at work, fraudulently writing prescriptions, and failing to comply with an investigation. New complaints were received in November 2012 while Brakefield was employed as a front office employee in a dental office. Multiple fraudulently written prescriptions were filled under her name until she was fired.

Lewis County

In July 2014 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the credential of practical nurse Karyn M. Rowe (LP60230480) after she was charged with third-degree theft. Rowe took a resident's iPad to her home for personal use while working at a nursing rehabilitation center. She also financially exploited a vulnerable adult.

Pacific County

In June 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of nursing assistant Agnes G. Daniels (NC10077892). This follows an immediate suspension that took place in April 2014 pending further disciplinary action. Daniels swapped a patient's narcotic pain pill with a Tylenol pill while working as a nursing assistant/medication technician at an assisted living facility. She is prohibited from being employed in the care of and having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In May 2014 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Cathy A. Scalzo (RN00131795). Her license was revoked in the state of Oregon.

Pierce County

In May 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of radiologic technologist Sam Landes (RT00007558). The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (AART) revoked his certification due to lying about his credentials. When asked by his employer to present an AART certification card, it was invalid and not issued by the organization.

In June 2014 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nurse Georgia Ann Mohler (RN00034166, AP30001221-GNP). Mohler didn't comply with on the terms of her probation.

In April 2014 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of practical nurse Lisa L. Lackie aka Lisa L. Douglas (LP60057592). She admitted in 2012 to diverting narcotics for personal use from her place of employment. She entered into drug and alcohol monitoring program. However, Lackie tested positive for alcohol, failed to provide a urine sample and didn't attend a peer support group.

In March 2014 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order against Julie L. Atkinson for practicing massage without a license. Atkinson was also fined $1,000.

In June 2014 the secretary of health suspended the credential of nursing assistant Debra A. Hayes (NC10046110) for at least two years after she financially exploited a vulnerable adult. While working at the Washington Soldiers Home, Hayes used a resident's debit card on four occasions, withdrawing $1,202 from the resident's account.

Skagit County

In June 2014 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the credential of agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional trainee, Wendy Ann Lee (CG60274634, CO60308239). Lee admitted to exchanging intimate letters with an inmate she was counseling while employed at a correctional facility.

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

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