State Issues Discipline to Health Care Workers

Aug. 29--The Washington State Department of Health recently released a list of at least 25 health care professionals from around the state who were disciplined in May and June for various infractions.

The Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions and advisory committees in order to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions, ranging from medical doctors to veterinarians.

Regionally, health care workers were reprimanded in Cowlitz, Grays Harbor and Pierce counties.

There were two actions in Clark County.

The Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Glen R. Tilden (NC10011412) after Tilden failed to comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Additionally, the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of David Andrew Novick (NC60269393) for at least five years following a 2015 conviction on eight counts of first-degree computer trespass and domestic violence.

In Clark County Shelly A. Miller (RN00149295) had her registered nurse credential suspended by the Nursing Commission after she failed to comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In Grays Harbor County Rhonda D. Davis (CG60317026) entered into an agreement with the Counselor Program that suspends her credential for at least three years. Davis lived with and engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

Pierce County had four separate disciplinary actions meted out.

First, Katrina Marie Washington (NA60285136) had her registered nursing assistant credential indefinitely suspended by the Nursing Assistant Program after she failed to comply with a requirement to undergo a substance abuse evaluation.

Additionally, the Dental Program indefinitely suspended the dental assistant credential of James Collins (D160250346) after Collins failed to comply with a requirement to provide mental health treatment evaluations.

Next, Elizabeth Denise Pineda (NA60387616, NC60387615) had her registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant credential suspended for at least three years by the Nursing Assistant Program. Pineda was convicted in 2015 of second-degree trafficking in stolen property.

Lastly, the secretary of health suspended the registered medical assistant credential of Sherrilyn M.C. Deflanders (NA60597159) for at least two years. The suspension was in response to Deflanders stealing money from several clients at an in-home care agency.

Information about health care providers is available on the DOH website at doh.wa.gov. Visitors to the webpage should click on the "How Do I" section for more information. The site includes detailed information about the license status of health care workers, including the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. The information is also available by calling (360) 236-4700.

Health care consumers who think their provider has acted unprofessionally are encouraged to report their complaints.

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