The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.
The department's Health Systems Quality Assurance Office works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 70 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
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Information about health care providers is on the agency Web site. Click on "Provider Credential Search" on the left hand side 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.
Franklin County
In August 2008 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Francisco J. Vargas (RC00059924). He was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance on more than one occasion, driving under the influence on more than one occasion, theft on more than one occasion, driving while license suspended, and escape.
Grant County
In October 2008 the Medical Commission amended the statement of charges against physician David T. Earl (MD00028611). Allegations include failing to maintain adequate records, failing to maintain treatment plans, prescribing large amounts of unsafe combinations of narcotics and other scheduled medications, failing to notify patients of warning signs of overuse of medications, and putting patients at risk of harm with the amounts and combination of prescriptions prescribed.
Grays Harbor County
In October 2008 the Medical Commission amended the statement of charges against physician Larry L. Kovachevich (MD00025067). Allegations include accepting medication from a patient for his own use, writing a prescription for a family member and failing to note the prescription in the patient's record, directing the physician assistant to prescribe controlled substances to him, and falling asleep while meeting with a patient.
King County
In October 2008 the Medical Commission amended the statement of charges against physician John R. Brinkley (MD00014634). He allegedly failed to respond to a patient's attempt to contact him, failed to respond to department inquiries regarding the complaint of patient abandonment, and prescribed medication while his license to practice medicine was suspended.
In October 2008 the Registered Counselor Program charged Jay L. Gilmour (RC00057043) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against his license.
In October 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of Margaret S. Kadzomba (NC60005605) and placed her license on probation for two years. Her previous license to practice as a registered nursing assistant was placed on probation. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her registration.
In October 2008 the Radiological Technologist Program charged Joseph Leigh Moldovan (RT00002399) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly made inappropriate comments, touched a patient, and failed to follow a medical order. He is also known as Leigh Moldovan.
In September 2008 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of David R. Patten (RC60028189) and placed his license on probation for three years. He was convicted of assault – domestic violence, attempted forgery and two counts of residential burglary. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Kitsap County
In September 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the application of Kristin E. Gerhart (NA60015859). She had prosecution deferred on two charges of assault – domestic violence. She failed to disclose the deferred prosecutions on her application and failed to respond to department inquiries about the cases.
Mason County
In October 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program reinstated the certification of Elizabeth A. Ashby (NC10036939) and placed her license on probation for one year. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her certification.
Pend Oreille County
In September 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the applications of Becky L. Smith (NA60002221, NC10021122). She was convicted of making a false statement to a public servant and failed to disclose the conviction on her application.
Pierce County
In September 2008 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreed order with licensed practical nurse Maria E. Lengele (LP00055419). She placed a patient's critical lab results in the patient's file but failed to chart results and assessment. She was unable to verify if a physician had been notified of the results in a timely manner. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
In September 2008 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Enchelle Rollins (RC00059425). She was convicted of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, unlawful possession of a controlled substance – cocaine, forgery, unlawful production of payment instruments, and unlawful possession of instruments of financial fraud.
Snohomish County
In October 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Jammie Adams (NC10071176) with unprofessional conduct. Adams allegedly left a patient who required 24-hour care, eight hours before her shift was over, which put the patient at risk of harm.
Spokane County
In October 2008 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Elizabeth M. Servania (RN00122270) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to adequately document the administering and wastage of medications.
In October 2008 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Lori Sommerfeld (RN00120211) with unprofessional conduct. She is allegedly unable to practice nursing with reasonable skill and safety.
Thurston County
In September 2008 the Chemical Dependency Program granted the application of Elisa A. Larsen (CP60005041) and set terms and conditions against her license. She has an agreed order imposing terms and conditions against her counselor registration.
Whatcom County
In October 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the license of Amy Swenson (NA00134972) on probation for one year. She failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against her license. Swenson must comply with new terms and conditions set against her license.
Whitman County
In October 2008 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Scot L. Askham (RN00163755) with unprofessional conduct. He was convicted of distribution of child pornography.
In September 2008 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreed order with registered nurse Kelley A. Carlson (RN00151249). She tested positive for drugs and failed to comply with a workplace restriction of her ability to document medication administration. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
Yakima County
In October 2008 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the applications of Bruce Aitken (NA00201269, NC60005594). He was convicted of driving under the influence. He failed to disclose the conviction on his application and failed to respond to department inquiries about the conviction. He cannot reapply for five years.
In September 2008 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Robyn A. Webb (RC60024854) and placed her registration on probation for one year. She was convicted of obstructing a law enforcement officer and possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
Out of State
Colorado: In October 2008 the Medical Commission released physician Thomas H. Chalmers (MD00028017) from terms and conditions set against his license. Dr. Chalmers' license is unrestricted.
Colorado: In August 2008 the Registered Counselor Program denied the application of Russell R. Rivers (RC00059551). He was convicted of driving under the influence and driving while license suspended on more than one occasion.
Idaho: In October 2008 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Michael J. Sahlie (RN00124994) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly practiced with a suspended license. He also allegedly failed to respond to department inquiries about the allegation.
Oregon: In October 2008 the Medical Commission charged physician Edward A. McCluskey (MD00043587) with unprofessional conduct for being disciplined in another state. Terms and conditions have been placed against his license to practice as a physician in Oregon.