By Jay Hancock

Health-care employers continued hiring at a brisk pace last month even as overall employment growth slowed down, today’s jobs report shows.

Hospitals, doctor offices and other medical employers added 19,000 jobs in April.

That represents a sixth of the total April increase of 115,000 jobs, even though health care makes up only 11 percent of the employment base.

While some insurers have reported continued moderation in health-cost increases this year, the job gains suggest that health care continues to claim larger portions of the economy, analysts say.

With an aging population and a continued struggle by policymakers to contain medical spending, health care ”is almost recession proof,” said Nariman Behravesh, chief economist for IHS, an economic research company

Of the 1.8 million jobs added by the economy in the last 12 months, 17 percent have been in medicine. Health spending represents 18 percent of the U.S. economy – a higher portion than in any other nation.

“As we try to grapple with health-care costs and try to get them under control, I suspect that will take its toll in one of two ways: either in terms of [slowing growth of] the average salaries in health care or in employment growth. I suspect in employment growth,” Behravesh said. However, he added: “It may not happen in the next couple of years.”

This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

The department has also suspends the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

Information about health care providers is also on the agency’s website.

To find this information 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.

Here is the April 26th update issued by the Washington State Department of Health:

Note: 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.

State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

OLYMPIA – 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 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’s website. 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.

Benton

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission suspended the license of registered nurse Melissa M. Fow (RN00142744). Fow failed to respond to department inquiries on possession of a legend drug without a prescription.

Grant County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Earl Jinings (NA00092951). Jinings treated three vulnerable adult patients inappropriately on multiple occasions; including swearing at them, hitting them, and yelling at them.

Island County

In March 2012 the Pharmacy Board indefinitely suspended the license of pharmacist Wendy S. Young, also known as Wendy S. Young-Guffey (PH00070944). Young’s license to practice pharmacy in Missouri was revoked; she remains prohibited from practicing in that state.

King County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Monique A. Gilbert (NA60100708). Gilbert failed to comply with a previous stipulation.

Lewis County

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of registered nurse Tera J. Pilon (RN60093289). Pilon failed to comply with a previous agreement.

Pierce County 

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program indefinitely suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Donna H. Mulcare (NC60195125). Mulcare failed to comply with previous terms of the agreed order.

Snohomish County 

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Antonia P. Orate (NA00043844). Orate failed to report sexual misconduct committed by nursing assistant Thomas Perez Orate in her adult family home.

In March 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Nicole M. Cromwell (CO60244009). Cromwell failed to comply with a previous agreement.

Spokane County 

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the license of registered nurse Julie A. Bliss (RN00152477). Bliss failed to comply with a previous agreed order.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of registered nursing assistant Danny Ray Osborne (NA00131144). Osborne physically and mentally abused two vulnerable adult patients, including hitting one of them and isolating him in a room, and using profanity. The Department of Social and Health Services issued a notice of finding that Osborne had abused vulnerable adults.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the credential of certified nursing assistant Cindy K. Hetherington (NC10091330). Hetherington was convicted of two counts of trafficking in stolen property and one count of theft.

Yakima

In March 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program indefinitely suspended the credential of Tamara J. Brantley (CP60029637). Brantley failed to respond to department inquires about drug use.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant and Counselor Programs suspended the credentials of registered nursing assistant and agency-affiliated counselor Teresa J. Campbell (NA00097240, CG60159143). Campbell was impaired by alcohol while on duty at her workplace.

Out of State

Arizona: In March 2012 the Medical Commission immediately suspended the license of physician Thomas E. Garrison (MD00045764). Garrison’s license to practice medicine in California was revoked; he remains prohibited from practicing in that state.

California: In March 2012 the Nursing Commission immediately suspended the license of registered nurse Mariya L. Morris, also known as Mariya Vadimovna Lim, Mariya Vadinovna Lim, and Marya Lim (RN00157532). Morris’s license to practice nursing in California was revoked; Morris remains prohibited from practicing in that state.

Illinois: In March 2012 the immediately suspended the license of registered nurse Paulette M. Bell (RN00167637). Bell’s license to practice nursing in Nevada was suspended; she remains prohibited from practicing in that state.

Few doctors think of themselves as rich, and only about half think they’re fairly compensated, according to survey results released this week by Medscape.

The annual survey isn’t scientific – and perhaps, not surprising, either — but it offers insights into what nearly 25,000 physicians earn, and how they view that number.

In 2011, compensation self-reported by surveyed physicians ranged from an average of $156,000 for pediatricians to $315,000 for radiologists and orthopedic surgeons.

Male physicians across all specialties earned about 40% more than female physicians. In primary care, men earned 23% more.

The survey showed that 51 percent of all physicians — and 46 percent of primary care physicians – think they’re compensated fairly.

Only about 11 percent of doctors consider themselves rich, mostly because of their debts and expenses, according to Medscape.

More than half said they expect their incomes to decline because of ACOs (although very few were participating in such a system), and only 25 percent said quality measures and treatment guidelines will improve patient care.

What do you think? Are doctors paid too much, not enough or just about right?

Overall, 54 percent of physicians said they would choose medicine as a career again. Only 41 percent said they would choose the same specialty and 23 percent would choose the same practice setting.

Others groups that survey physicians about their income include the Medical Group Management Association and Merritt Hawkins.

A 2011 MGMA report, for instance, which looked at data from 2010, found the median compensation for radiologists was $471,253 and $192,148 for physicians in pediatric/adolescent medicine.

Medscape surveyed 24,216 physicians across 25 specialty areas from Feb. 1-17, 2012 using a third-party online survey collection website.

This article was reprinted from kaiserhealthnews.org with permission from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent news service, is a program of the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonpartisan health care policy research organization unaffiliated with Kaiser Permanente.

The department has also suspends the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

Information about health care providers is also on the agency’s website.

To find this information 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.

Here is the April 20th update issued by the Washington State Department of Health:

Note: 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.

State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA - 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 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 website. 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.

Clallam County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the certification of certified nursing assistant Rainier V. Basdeo-Singh (NC10078307) on probation for two years. He borrowed money from a vulnerable adult patient.

Clark County

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Natalie Alice Hendricks (RN00113211) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly working as a nurse while her credential was expired.

Grant County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Dorothy A. Butler (NA00116000) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly observed physical and verbal abuse directed at residents of the adult family home where she worked and failed to report any of the conduct.

King County

In March 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended the probation order against chemical dependency professional Frederick Kirk Conner (CO60130003).

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Sisilia P. Helu (NA60003530) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to report several pressure sores on a vulnerable adult patient to the patient’s physician or guardian.

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Heidi R. Gabhart (RN00138356) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of theft and allegedly failed to disclose the conviction on her reactivation application.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of certified nursing assistant Amenan Natacha Kouakou (NC60260508) and placed her certification on probation for two years. She entered into a continuance order with conditions for the charge of assault — domestic violence.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of registered nursing assistant Max Cong Le (NA60196703) and placed his registration on probation for two years. He was convicted of theft.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Derek C. Machel (NA00105630) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly failed to comply with terms and conditions set against his registration.

In March 2012 the Massage Program granted the application of Kelly Kolleen McEvoy (MA60269949) and placed conditions against her license. She was convicted of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, and theft.

In March 2012 the Secretary of Health charged dental assistant Celia Ann Moody (D160052866) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient.

In March 2012 the Dental Commission granted the application of dental assistant Hilary Elyse Palmer (D160247364) and placed her registration on probation for the duration of her court-ordered probation. She was convicted of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana. She also entered into a deferred prosecution for the charge of driving under the influence.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Shylia M. Reiber (NC10091511) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly admitted to taking morphine and methadone tablets from her place of employment for her own use.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Eleanor Romero (NA00157094) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly neglected a vulnerable adult in her care when she failed to notify the patient’s physician or guardian of sores found on the patient.

Lewis County

In March 2012 the Dental Hygiene Program charged Karen A. Lockhart (DH00001600) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly billed for services not provided, resulting in an overpayment of at least $14,500.

Pierce County

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Catherine Margaret Ervin (LP00038858) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to keep adequate records of withdrawal and administration of medications to patients.

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Jolene Marie Jackson (RN00099195) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to comply with terms and conditions set against her license.

Snohomish County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Irine W. Kariuki (NA60118756) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly failed to follow orders to check a patient’s blood sugar at bedtime resulting in the patient being transported to the hospital.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program corrected a final order against registered nursing assistant Tatyana Ogorodnik (NA60216762). Her application is granted and registration placed on probation for two years.

Spokane County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program granted the application of registered nursing assistant William Michael Crane (NA60263595) and placed conditions against his registration. He was convicted of theft, two counts of possession of a controlled substance —methamphetamine, and burglary.

In March 2012 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program ended the probation order against chemical dependency professional trainee Damien J. Miller (CO60146084).

After a hearing in March 2012, the Massage Program denied the application of massage therapist applicant Cole Lee Moore (MA60223837). He was convicted of driving under the influence, and assault.

In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Amy K. Ross (LP00050636) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly diverted narcotics from her place of employment. She was convicted of criminal possession of a financial transaction card.

In March 2012 the Board of Hearing and Speech reinstated the license of hearing aid fitter/dispenser Scott A. Williams (HA00002083) and placed his license on probation for two years.

Thurston County

In March 2012 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program ended the probation order against paramedic Michael James Wilson (ES60237606).

Yakima County

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Rosie Carrazco (NA60196700) with unprofessional conduct. She allegedly had marijuana plants in her personal residence and controlled substances in her possession without a valid prescription.

In March 2012 the Nursing Assistant Program released registered nursing assistant Melanie Jane Arevalo (NA60244525) from terms and conditions set against her registration.

Out of State

Florida: In March 2012 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Mary Lee DeLate (RN60020122) with unprofessional conduct. She was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance.

Oregon: In March 2012 the Massage Program charged Brad L. Gray-Kennedy (MA60188011) with unprofessional conduct. He allegedly touched a patient inappropriately while providing massage services to the patient.

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.

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.

John Wecker

Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute (PNDRI) announced today that John Wecker, PhD has been appointed president and CEO.

Dr. Wecker was most recently Global Program Leader, Vaccine Access and Delivery at PATH.

PNDRI is an independent non-profit biomedical and clinical research center that focuses on eliminating diabetes and its complications.

The Institute, which has a team of 85 physicians, scientists and technical staff, was founded in Seattle in 1956 by Dr. William Hutchinson, Sr., who also founded the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.

Before he joined PATH, Dr. Wecker worked for Boehringer Ingelheim, a global pharmaceutical company, where he led pharmaceutical product development teams and championed the company’s efforts to expand access to treatments for HIV/AIDS in the developing world.

During this time he established a program to provide medication for the prevention of mother-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, free of charge to over 120 countries around the world.

Dr. Wecker received his doctorate in Biological Psychology from the University of Rochester, Rochester, NY.

Dr. Wecker succeeds Dr. Jack Faris, who has been serving as acting CEO during the past eighteen months. Dr. Faris will remain part of the PNDRI team as a strategic advisor.

Dr. Wecker will begin at PNDRI on April 23^rd.

To learn more:

• For more information about PNDRI, visit www.pndri.org or call (206) 726-1200.