Submitted by Ruzanna Harutyunyan on Sep 30th, 2009
Washington health 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).
Information about health care providers is on the agency Web site. 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.
Asotin County
In June 2009 the Medical Commission reprimanded and placed conditions on the license of physician Stan H. Chao (MD00046504). He entered into orders against his physician licenses with the Florida Board, and Idaho State Board of Medicine. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Benton County
In May 2009 the Nursing Commission terminated the order of probation against licensed practical nurse Karen L. Andrews (LP00048993).
In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Michael Robert Lee Wrinkle (HC60023759) and placed his license on probation for two years. He was convicted of assault, and must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Clark County
In June 2009 the Massage Therapy Program charged David Cairns (MA00025190) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly engaged in sexually explicit conversations with patients, and during exams he moved draping to expose patients genitals without permission.
In June 2004 the Medical Commission granted the application for a limited physician license to Antonio Carrasco (ML60066899) and placed conditions against his license. He was dismissed from a residency program for illegally self-prescribing medications to himself, and inappropriately prescribing other medications to his family. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Cowlitz County
In June 2009 the Registered Counselor Program terminated the order of probation against Krista R. Heppe (RC00054943).
In June 2009 the Medical Commission modified the agreed order with physician Mark T. Reis (MD00032312). He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
King County
In June 2009 the Dental Commission entered into an agreed order with dentist Chan K. Bae (DE00007058). The care he provided fell below the standard while performing root canals on multiple patients’ teeth. During the procedures, he under-instrumented and under-filled tooth canals. He also failed to take radiographs of diagnostic quality. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
In June 2009 the Dental Commission placed the license of dentist Peter M. Cha (DE00006848) on probation for two years. The care he provided fell below the standard while performing restorations on three different patients’ teeth. His billing of 40 patients was audited resulting in an agreement where he paid more than $200,000 in over-billing with interest. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
In June 2009 the Dental Commission entered into an agreed order with dentist Heideh Eftehari (DE00006748). The care she provided fell below the standard while treating a patient for veneer restorations. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program granted the application of Helen Johanna Felder (HC60049260) and placed her license on probation for two years. She was convicted of theft and reckless endangerment. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
In May 2009 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery released osteopath Susan M. Petcoff (OP00001185) from terms and conditions set against her license.
In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program corrected the agreement to practice with conditions on the credential of Michael John Prado (HC00153509). He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
In June 2009 the Massage Therapy Program charged Nicholas Schmidt (MA00023623) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with previous terms and conditions set against his license.
In June 2009 the Registered Counselor Program granted the application of Jeffrey P. Stevens (RC60086666) and placed his registration on probation for two years. He was convicted of hit and run-attended vehicle, assault — domestic violence, robbery, and residential burglary —domestic violence. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his registration.
Kitsap County
In May 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Jennifer Ann Boice (HC60063241). She was charged with assault — domestic violence and failed to disclose the charge on her application.
In June 2009 the Massage Therapy Program granted the application of Dawn M. Kershaw (MA60055097) and placed her license on probation for 18 months. She was convicted of malicious mischief, lewd conduct, resisting arrest, stay out of areas of prostitution order violation, prostitution on more than one occasion, criminal trespass on more than one occasion, and violation of no-contact order on more than one occasion. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
Mason County
In June 2009 the Board of Pharmacy charged pharmacy technician Leah M. Key (VA00055434) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted controlled substances from her place of employment.
Pierce County
In June 2009 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreed order with registered nurse Linell M. Jones (RN00056013). She diverted controlled substances from her place of employment for her own use, and tested positive in a drug screen lab test. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her license.
In May 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Joshua D. Neri (HC60069053). His registration to practice as a nursing assistant was suspended.
Snohomish County
In June 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program charged Michael D. Buckner (HC00149179, HC00155176) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly slipped his hand inside a patient’s gown to feel her breasts, and contacted her outside of the hospital using contact information from her hospital chart.
In June 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the applications of certified nursing assistant Rebecka J. Espinoza (NA60071593, NC60071281) and placed her registration and certification on probation for one year. She was found guilty of fraudulent possession of another’s access card. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her registration and certification.
In May 2009 the Health Care Assistant Program denied the application of Janine M. Tafari (HC60005639). Her license to practice as a midwife was suspended.
Spokane County
In June 2009 the Dental Commission granted the application of dental assistant Alaina J. Herboldt (D160055158) and placed her registration on probation for two years. She was convicted of theft on more than one occasion, and aiding and abetting grand theft. She must comply with terms and conditions set against her registration.
In May 2009 the Nursing Assistant Program denied the applications of certified nursing assistant Cory R. Morse (NA60002046, NC60010389). He was convicted of possession of stolen property, attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle, possession of a controlled substance —cocaine and methamphetamine, and charged with six counts of theft and four counts of burglary.
Yakima County
In June 2009 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Rosa Martinez (MD00031317) on probation for two years. She failed to comply with previous terms and conditions, and must now comply with new terms and conditions set against her license.
Out of State
Illinois: In June 2009 the Medical Commission vacated an order granting the application of physician Celso Agner (MD60013021) and placed conditions on his license. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Wyoming: In June 2009 the Medical Commission placed the license of physician Bruce C. Bennett (MD00039742) on probation. He allegedly had inappropriate physical contact with a patient. He must comply with terms and conditions set against his license.
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
