HARRISBURG (Jan. 22) ­ Acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Kim Pizzingrilli and Dorothy Childress, commissioner of the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs, today announced 65 disciplinary actions taken by the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing between July 1 and Dec. 31. 

Actions were taken against individuals or firms in the following counties: Allegheny (11 actions); Armstrong (one action); Beaver (three actions); Blair (one action); Bradford (one action); Bucks (two actions); Butler (two actions); Centre (one action); Chester (one action); Clinton (one action); Cumberland (one action); Dauphin (one action); Delaware (one action); Erie (one action); Indiana (one action); Jefferson (one action); Lackawanna (one action); Lawrence (one action); Luzerne (four actions); McKean (two actions); Montgomery (three actions); Philadelphia (six actions); Schuylkill (two actions); Somerset (one action); Tioga (one action); Warren (one action); Washington (four actions); and York (five actions). 

Four actions involved Pennsylvania licenses with out-of-state addresses. 

The number of sanctions imposed each year by the 27 professional licensing boards and commissions has steadily increased during the Ridge Administration: 716 in 1995, 1,012 in 1996, and 1,169 in 1997. The boards and commissions issued a record 1,652 disciplinary sanctions in 1998, which represents a 182% increase over the 585 disciplinary sanctions levied in 1993. The boards also issued 292 revocations and active suspensions in 1998, which represents a 121% increase over the number of serious actions taken by the boards in 1993. 

The State Board of Nursing: 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Frank M. Baumgartner, license no. RN-3130000-L, of Skippack, Montgomery County, retroactive to Feb. 13, 1998, for violating his probation. (July 9); 

AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED Sharon M. Lupole, license no. PN-093761-L, of Kane, McKean County, as a result of her guilty plea to felony charges under the Drug Act. (July 17); 

SUSPENDED Clare E. Piper, license no. RN-332516-L, of Imperial, Allegheny County, until March 3, 2000, retroactive to Nov. 19, 1997, for violating her probation. (July 17); 

AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED Merri B. Bohn, license no. PN-103645-L, of Indiana, PA, as a result of her guilty plea to a felony charge under the Drug Act. (July 20); 

SUSPENDED Robert M. Ernst, license no. RN-252525-L, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, for violating a board order. (July 29); 

accepted the VOLUNTARY SURRENDER of the license issued to Donna Teets Towsey, license no. RN-231153-L, of Zelienople, Butler County, based on her impairment. (July 29); 

SUSPENDED Christina Dawn Colwell, license no. PN-252880-L, of Apollo, Armstrong County, for three years based on patient abuse. The first three months were active and the remainder stayed in favor of probation. (July 29); 

SUSPENDED Joseph S. Modla, license no. PN-103037-L, of Edwardville, Luzerne County, for six months based on his felony conviction. The first two weeks were active and the remainder stayed in favor of probation. (July 29); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED, Colleen McKinley Kemp, license no. RN-312066-L, of Red Lion, York County, for no less than one year based on her conviction. (July 29); 

SUSPENDED, stayed in favor of probation, Pauline E. Calabrese, license no. PN-096935-L, of West Pittston, Luzerne County, based on her impairment. (July 29); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Diane K. Wolf, license no. PN-066209-L, of Hanover, York County, for no less than two years based on unprofessional conduct. (July 29); 

placed on PROBATION Machelle McCullough Ashworth, license no. PN-101020-L, of Ellwood City, Lawrence County, based on medication charting errors. (Aug. 4); 

DENIED reinstatement of Dorothy L. Smith, license no. RN-291301-L, of Bristol, Bucks County. Smith's license was indefinitely suspended on Jan. 24, 1992, until such time she could appear before the board to prove that she was fit and competent to practice. She failed to appear at her hearing for reinstatement of her license and thus, her petition for reinstatement was denied. (Aug. 6); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Dawn L. Woolingham, license no. PN-094944-L, of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, retroactive to June 19, 1998, for violating her probation. (Aug. 7); 

AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED Rebecca J. Pettine, license no. PN-253566-L, of Lansdale, Montgomery County, as a result of her guilty plea to 16 felony charges under the Drug Act. (Aug. 7); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Sharon M. Lupole, license no. PN-093761-L, of Kane, McKean County, for violating her probation. (Aug. 7); 

SUSPENDED Helen Riola Hartz, license no. RN-343979-L, of Philadelphia, retroactive to Feb. 13, 1998, for violating her board order. (Aug. 14); 

AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED Lori A. Barber, license no. PN-256043-L, of Towanda, Bradford County, as a result of her guilty plea to a misdemeanor charge under the Drug Act. (Aug. 19); 

IMMEDIATELY TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED Joy Lykiardopoulos, license no. PN-081177-L, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, based her impairment. (Sept. 2); 

SUSPENDED Robert M. Ernst, license no. RN-252525-L, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, for three years, retroactive to July 29, 1998, for violating the terms and conditions of his Consent Agreement and Order. (Sept. 2); 

SUSPENDED Amanda K. Bobyak, license no. RN-521050-L, of Burgettstown, Washington County, for two years, the first seven months active with the remainder stayed in favor of a three year probation, for practicing without a license, committing fraud or deceit in the practice of nursing and unprofessional conduct.(Sept. 14); 

SUSPENDED Ruth White Beck, license no. RN-254556-L, of Mainland, Montgomery County, for two years based on her impairment. The suspension was stayed in favor of probation. (Sept. 14); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Maryellen P. Clark, license no. PN-103737-L, of Philadelphia, based on her impairment. (9-14-98) 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Jeanne Cervone, license no. PN-044361-L, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, based on her impairment. (Sept. 14); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Ruth Dolan, license no. RN-201851-L, of Bethel Park, Allegheny County, for not less than three years based on her impairment. (Sept. 17); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Andrea Kennedy Olson, license no. RN-186648-L, of Baden, Beaver County, for not less than three years based on her negligence or incompetence on repeated occasions. (Sept. 21); 

SUSPENDED Ronald K. Larsen, license no. RN-296694-L, of Auburn, Schuylkill County, for not less than one year, with the first 30 days active and the remainder stayed in favor of probation based on his negligence or incompetence on repeated occasions. Mr. Larsen appealed to the Commonwealth Court. On 10-30-98, the court granted Mr. Larsen's request for a stay pending the appeal. (Sept. 30); 

REVOKED Regina A. Richardson, license no. RN-238780-L, of Wilkinsburg, Allegheny County, based on her felony conviction. (Sept. 22); 

SUSPENDED Mary H. Herman, license no. RN-512178-L, of Scranton, Lackawanna County, for one year and ASSESSED her a $1,000 civil penalty for committing fraud or deceit in securing her admission to the practice of nursing, and practicing as a registered nurse without a license. The suspension was stayed in favor of two years probation. (Sept. 22); 

REVOKED Antonette Ruggiero Page, license no. RN-332390-L, of Hazelton, Luzerne County, based on her felony arrest. (Sept. 22); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Cheryl Fowler Dunn, license no. RN-174553-L, of Warren, based on her impairment. (Sept. 22); 

SUSPENDED Theresa M. Nunez, license no. PN-084511-L, of Philadelphia, for two years, the first three months active and the remainder stayed in favor of probation based on unprofessional conduct. (Sept. 22); 

REVOKED Donna Zabresky, license no. PN-050761-L, of Dallas, Luzerne County, based on her felony conviction. (Sept. 23); and 

SUSPENDED Billie M. Gushue, license no. PN-255208, of Blanchard, Centre County, for one year based on a felony conviction. Following the one year suspension, Ms. Gushue's license will be placed on probation. (Sept. 28). 

AUTOMATICALLY SUSPENDED Kimberley A. Hitchon, license nos. RN-309607-L and PN-092800-L, of Philadelphia, and Quakertown, Bucks County, based on her guilty plea to a felony and misdemeanor under the Controlled Substance, Drug, Device and Cosmetic Act. (Oct. 8); 

REVOKED Barbara Bahl, license no. RN-186584-L, of Bridgeville, Allegheny County, for committing fraud in the practice of nursing and for unprofessional conduct. The Medical and Nurse boards also REVOKED her CRNP certificate for her violations of the Medical Practice Act and the Professional Nursing Law. This order became effective March 28, 1998. Ms. Bahl appealed the order to Commonwealth Court, which then affirmed the order of the boards. (Oct. 21); 

TERMINATED probation and REVOKED Mary J. Ott, license no. PN-075172-L, of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, for violating a board order. (Oct. 22); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Donald S. Carmichael, license no. RN-273261-L, of Erie, based on his impairment. (Oct. 22); 

REPRIMANDED Laurie Farling Hopf, license no. RN-289759, of Philadelphia for her being reprimanded by the state of Maryland for altering her certificate of licensure. (Oct. 22); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Carol Afton, license no. RN-158665-L, of Brookville, Jefferson County, based on her addiction to drugs and/or alcohol. In no case will she be able to obtain reinstatement prior to the expiration of five years. (Oct. 22); 

REVOKED David J. Adams, license no. RN-329687-L, of River Ridge, LA, for violating the terms and conditions of his Consent Agreement. (Oct. 22); 

SUSPENDED Barry L. Peck, license no. PN-069528-L, of Altoona, Blair County, until Nov. 17, 1998 and until he documents that he has completed a course in patient rights or elder care. (Oct. 22); 

SUSPENDED Lovita Mahone Gant, license no. PN-101368-L, of Chester, Delaware County, for one year, stayed in favor of a one year probation and until all terms of probation have been successfully completed, because she failed to respect the patient's right to freedom from abuse. (Oct. 27); 

SUSPENDED Donna Stahlman Hazy, license no. PN-092010-L, of Harmony, Butler County, for six months for pleading guilty to theft by unlawful taking. (Oct. 28); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED, for not less than five years; and ASSESSED a $1,000 civil penalty against Theresa A. McSorely, license no. RN-236510-L, of Philadelphia, based on fraud and unprofessional conduct, abandoning patients and falsifying patient records. (Oct. 28); 

REVOKED Amy J. Soski, license no. PN-103392-L, of Monaca, Beaver County, for misappropriating narcotics and falsifying patient records. (Oct. 28); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED, for not less than three years, Craig Edward Frey, license no. PN-252900-L, of York, based on his negligence, unprofessional conduct, failure to respect the patient's right to freedom from psychological or physical abuse and failure to safeguard the patient's dignity. (Oct. 28); 

SUSPENDED Kathleen W. Gennuso, license no. RN-318365-L, of Cecil, Washington County, for three years for violating a board order. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Gary Lee Chapman, license no. PN-253052-L, of Washington, PA, for three years stayed in favor of probation, based on his impairment. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Robert P. Lukaszewicz, license no. RN-331801-L, of Aliquippa, Beaver County, for three years stayed in favor of probation, based on his impairment. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Catherine A. Cooper, license no. PN-063200-L, of Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, for two years for violating the probationary terms of a Consent Agreement approved by the board on March 12, 1998, whereby it was found that Cooper committed physical abuse against a patient, and had provided for a two-year suspension of her license that was stayed in favor of two years probation. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Patricia Loll-Van Sickle, license no. RN-343424-L, of Elmer, NJ, for three years for violating the probationary terms of a Consent Agreement approved by the board. The agreement had found Loll-Van Sickle to be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of addiction to alcohol, and had provided for a three-year suspension of her license that was stayed in favor of three years probation in a program for impaired practitioners. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Helen Patricia Kiefer, license no. PN-065574-L, of Philadelphia, for three years for violating the probationary terms of a Consent Agreement approved by the board. The agreement had found Kiefer to be unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of her addiction to alcohol, and had provided for a three-year suspension of her license that was stayed in favor of three years probation in a program for impaired practitioners. This preliminary order shall become a final order after 20 days if Kiefer does not request a formal hearing; if Kiefer does request a formal hearing within 20 days, the suspension shall remain in effect unless and until the board issues a final order in Kiefer's favor after the hearing. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Barbara Walsh, license no. RN-158639-L, of Natrona Heights, Allegheny County, for three years for violating the probationary terms of a Consent Agreement approved by the board. The agreement had found that Walsh used a controlled substance for other than an acceptable medical purpose and by being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of her addiction to drugs. The Consent Agreement had provided for a three-year suspension of Walsh's license that was stayed in favor of three years probation in a program for impaired practitioners. (Nov. 16); 

REVOKED Rachel A. Flury, license no. PN-062024-L, of Emigsville, York County, for violating the probationary terms of a Consent Agreement approved by the board. The agreement had found that Flury engaged in unprofessional conduct by committing fraud or deceit in the practice of nursing and by being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of her addiction to drugs. The Consent Agreement had provided for the revocation of Flury's license, which was stayed in favor of two years suspension followed by three years probation in a program for impaired practitioners. (Nov. 16); 

accepted the VOLUNTARY SURRENDER of the license issued to Leola Grace Glover, license no PN-053202, of Wellsboro, Tioga County, based on her misappropriation of drugs. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Patricia Flick, license no. RN-171576-L, of Stoystown, Somerset County, for 30 days followed by an 11 month probation, based on incompetence. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Cami R. Duffield, license no. RN-515415-L, of Moorestown, NJ, for two years, the first three months active followed by a two year probation, based on unprofessional conduct. (Nov. 16); 

INDEFINITELY SUSPENDED Ellen Howell Calhoun, license no. RN-312216-L, of Mechanicsburg, Cumberland County, based on her impairment. (Nov. 16); 

SUSPENDED Antoinette Walker, license no. PN-060839-L, of Monroeville, Allegheny County, for three weeks, retroactive to Oct. 16, 1998, because her license lapsed. (Nov. 18); 

placed Roxann Wagaman, license no. PN-058128-L, of York, on a one year PROBATION based on her guilty plea to forgery and theft by deception. (Nov. 18); 

SUSPENDED Virginia A. Welch, license no. PN-045554-L, of Canonsburg, Washington County, for one year with three months active and the remainder stayed in favor of probation; and ASSESSED her a $500 civil penalty based on her guilty plea to making false statements to obtain public assistance. Stay of the suspension is contingent upon payment of the civil penalty. Probation shall continue for not less than the period of the stayed suspension and shall be vacated after Welch submits acceptable documentary proof to the board that the civil penalty and the restitution have been satisfied. (Nov. 23); 

DENIED reinstatement of the license issued to Patricia A. Sellers, of West Chester, Chester County, for failing to appear for her hearing as required by the board. (Nov. 23); 

SUSPENDED Jo Anne Welton, license no. PN-055634-L, of Renovo, Clinton County, for three months followed by a probation of not less than twelve months, because she failed to document and maintain accurate records. (Nov. 23); and 

SUSPENDED Haesook Chang Kim, license no. RN-229594-L, of Wayne, NJ, for one year retroactive to April 3, 1998, followed by a two year probation, due to her guilty plea to one count of fraud and misuse of immigration documents and aiding and abetting. (Dec. 2). 

1999