Latest news with #AppealsandLicensing
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Counselor sanctioned after refusing intoxication test at child advocacy center
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers the state's Board of Nursing and Board of Behavioral Health Professionals as well as other licensing boards. (Main photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) A Quad-City social worker who was fired after refusing to be tested for intoxication at work has been sanctioned by state regulators. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals recently charged social worker Jaime L. Roggenbauer of Bettendorf with knowingly making misleading or untrue statements in the practice of social work, or engaging in unethical conduct harmful to the public, by attempting to practice social work while intoxicated. The board also accused her of interfering with her previous employer's information technology systems. According to the board, Roggenbauer had provided counseling services at a children's advocacy center located in Rock Island, Illinois, since January 2022. She was fired on March 19, 2024, the day her co-workers reported that she appeared chatty, animated and unsteady — a departure from her typical demeanor. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The board alleges that Roggenbauer was fired after she refused a chemical test for intoxication. According to the board, she then changed the password to the center's therapy documentation system, which locked other part-time providers out of the center's database. Roggenbauer denied the allegations, but to resolve the case she recently agreed to a settlement that entails her license being placed on probation for two years, during which time she will work with a practice monitor. Court records show that in 2022, Roggenbauer was convicted of first-offense drunken driving. Other Iowans recently sanctioned by the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals include: — Kelly Sachau of Sioux City, who is alleged to have maintained a relationship with a patient from April 2021 to the present. According to the board, the patient received therapy services from Sachau while the two maintained a personal relationship. In October 2022, Sachau ended her relationship with the practice group where she worked and took the patient's therapy records and notes with her to her new practice without the patient's written consent. She was charged with failing to comply with ethics guidelines related to patient boundaries and records. Sachau denied having a dual relationship with the patient and denied improper handling of client records and information. To settle the case, she agreed to pay a $750 civil penalty and have her license placed on probation for two years during which time she will work with a practice monitor and complete training on ethics, clinical documentation and professional boundaries. — Trisha Tonelli of Des Moines, who allegedly disclosed confidential information related to the care of a client. She was charged with failing to comply with ethics guidelines on confidentiality, and was issued a warning that similar conduct in the future could result in further disciplinary action. As part of her settlement agreement with the board, Tonelli agreed to complete six hours of ethics training. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boards move to sanction Iowans licensed through error or fraud
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers and oversees many of Iowa's state licensing boards. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images; logo courtesy the State of Iowa) An Iowa woman appears to have procured her barbering and cosmetology license through fraud, according to state records. Iowa Board of Barbering and Cosmetology recently reached an agreement with Suong Ngoc Nguyen to have Nguyen surrender her cosmetology license. While the agreement does not specify any allegation of misconduct by Nguyen, the charges against her reference administrative rules that are related to procuring a license through fraud, possibly by filing with the board 'any false or forged diploma, certificate, affidavit, identification or qualification.' The agreement suggests the board granted Nguyen a license to work in Iowa four years ago, in 2021, one day after she provided the board with evidence that she was licensed in California. The available board documents do not indicate where Nguyen has worked but suggest she may have lived in Boone at one time. The agreement to have Nguyen surrender her license has little practical effect since board records indicate the license expired in March 2023. According to the board, Nguyen can apply for a new Iowa license in one year. Other recent actions by Iowa licensing authorities include: — The Iowa Board of Massage Therapy has notified Huimin Zhao that it intends to rescind Zhao's massage-therapy license, which the board says it granted only because of a clerical error on its part. According to board documents, Zhao applied for a license in December 2024 and listed JK Holy Career Institute as the school where he completed his education in 2021. However, the institute was decertified in 2019. Despite that, the board responded to Zhao's application in January 2025 by issuing him a license to work in Iowa. The available board documents give no indication as to where Zhao worked in Iowa after his license was issued. — The Iowa Board of Pharmacy reached an agreement with Carl Markley of Ames, who is currently serving a life sentence for sexually abusing and trafficking dozens of children and adults, to surrender his Controlled Substances Act registration. Prosecutors alleged Markley used fraud and coercion to cause dozens of teenage boys and young men, as well as a few young women, to engage in sex acts in exchange for money or other benefits. Markley was a nurse practitioner in Ames and owned several businesses. He surrendered his Iowa nursing license in May 2023.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Dozens of Iowa care facilities cited for abuse-related violations
(Photo illustration via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing) In recent months, dozens of Iowa nursing homes have been cited for resident abuse, including sexual misconduct, theft, verbal abuse and financial exploitation. Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing records indicate that so far this year, at least 33 nursing homes have been cited for resident abuse or failing to properly screen job applicants for histories of criminal activity or abuse. In most of those cases, the homes were subjected to a state fine of $500. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Among the violators: Grundy Care Center, Grundy: In January, the home was cited for failing to protect residents from mental and physical abuse. Inspectors reported that a nurse aide at the home had accepted money from a male resident, and had kissed, touched, and sent nude photos of herself via text to the man. The inappropriate interactions continued until the nurse aide resigned, inspectors determined. The resident told inspectors the aide had wanted him to move in with her so she could take care of him. The administrator of the home later learned the relationship was sexual, with conduct occurring during and after the aide's scheduled working hours. The nurse aide reportedly admitted that after she met the resident, the two exchanged phone numbers and she followed him on social media and would message him via text and Facebook Messenger. She allegedly said it evolved into a relationship and that 'neither did something the other didn't want.' She reportedly acknowledged the inappropriate physical touching happened during her working hours, but added, 'It was just kissing, that's all.' The matter was referred to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services by the police. According to state inspectors, DHHS 'rejected the report and closed the case.' Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation, Des Moines: In January, a male resident's son alerted the home to misappropriation of property. The resident's son had installed a camera in his father's room, which captured footage of a certified nurse aide entering the room at 2 a.m. while the resident slept and accessing a locked drawer containing the resident's money. Later, it appeared $55 was missing from the drawer. The administrator confirmed for state inspectors that he watched the video and it was evident the worker unlocked the dresser with a key, picked up something and put it in her pocket. Harmony Waterloo, formerly Promedica Skilled Nursing & Rehab, Waterloo: Earlier this month, this home was cited for failing to protect residents from abuse in the form of financial exploitation. Residents of the home reported they routinely gave the staff money, credit cards or debit cards to purchase pop for them from vending machines. After one resident was discharged, she received a phone call from her bank regarding a debit card payment for a $417 cellphone bill, which depleted her account. It was later determined the phone in question belonged to a nurse aide who worked at the facility. A check of that aide's criminal history revealed a past charge of third-degree theft that had resulted in a deferred judgment. If you bite me, I will knock all the teeth out of your mouth. – Registered nurse at Lakeside Lutheran Home in Emmetsburg, according to inspectors Lakeside Lutheran Home, Emmetsburg: In February, this facility was cited for failing to protect residents from abuse. Workers alleged that a registered nurse had tried to check a male resident's blood sugar and after the man attempted to bite the nurse, she told him, 'If you bite me, I will knock all the teeth out of your mouth,' and then raised her hand as if to strike him. An aide reported that she verbally intervened and said, 'Hey,' and nurse lowered her hand. Silver Oak Nursing & Rehab Center, Marion: In March, the home was cited for failing to report the exploitation of a resident and the potential misappropriation of the resident's medication. According to inspectors, one registered nurse at the home was responsible for administering the resident's medication commonly used for erectile dysfunction, and 21 to 33 tablets were unaccounted for. The resident indicated he had tipped the nurse $5 or $10 for her birthday and that on occasion, he had kissed the nurse and believed he was in love with her. Staff members had reported seeing the two hugging and kissing. A medication aide reported seeing the two together and seeing the nurse stick her tongue 'down his throat,' and also indicated the nurse may have given the resident money for a phone. A county deputy later told an inspector that a backpack owned by the nurse contained a prescription-drug label for an erectile dysfunction drug that indicated it was prescribed to the resident in question. Inspectors concluded the home made no effort to separate the nurse from the resident while the medication issue and exploitation issue were investigated. Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center's Klein Center, West Burlington: In April, this facility was cited for failing to report allegations of abuse. A nurse aide at the home had reported to administrators that another worker at the home had confronted a resident who had expressed concern for a fellow resident's welfare, telling him not to worry about others and to 'sit your f—ing a– down.' The accused worker was also reported by another worker to have called a resident a 'b—-' on many occasions. In one alleged incident, a resident was being showered by the accused worker and complained the water was too hot, to which the worker replied, 'Shut the f— up.' Tripoli Nursing & Rehab Center, Tripoli: In April, the home was cited for three staff members being verbally abusive or physically rough with residents. One resident told inspectors, 'I don't like the way (other residents) are being talked to. (The workers) have no compassion. They talk to them very demanding… It is not ethical. We are family here.' Another resident said one of the workers was upset with a colleague and so 'she just kind of threw me in bed or pushed me in bed.' The resident said the staffer was rough with him but that he didn't consider it abuse. Rehabilitation Centers of Independence, West Campus, Independence: In April, this facility was cited for failing to report abuse. A former resident of the facility had reported that that he had transferred $22 to one of the home's nurse aides via PayPal at the end of February, and had only been paid back $10. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Dentist alleged to be ‘harmful to the public' ordered to undergo remedial training
The Iowa Dental Board within the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees the state's dental profession. (Photo by Getty Images; logo courtesy State of Iowa) A Linn County dentist charged with practicing dentistry in a manner that is harmful to the public has been ordered to undergo remedial training. Iowa Dental Board records indicate the board recently charged dentist Terra Hickey of Center Point with practicing in a manner that is harmful or detrimental to the public. Hickey has been an Iowa-licensed dentist since July 2000, The board alleges Hickey, who works at Center Point Family Dentistry, at some unspecified time in the past failed to recognize tooth decay, failed to complete a thorough removal of decay, failed to properly place restorations, and failed to adequately inform patients of their diagnosis and treatment plans. The board adds that Hickey's failure to diagnose cavities in multiple patients resulted in tooth extractions. Board records indicate the investigation of Hickey's practice was initiated in 2023. The board recently agreed to resolve the case with a settlement agreement that calls for Hickey to complete a comprehensive remedial education program as well as a board-approved coarse on ethics. In addition, Hickey's license will be placed on probation for one year, during which a sampling of Hickey's work will be reviewed by a dental-practice monitor. Hickey will also be required to pay $1,200 'for probation,' according to the agreement. The Iowa Dental Board has issued a final order in a disciplinary case involving a dentist accused of contributing to the death of a patient. An Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing database indicates the board issued the order involving dentist Jonathan Karch two weeks ago on April 30. However, board documents outlining the terms of the final order have yet to be made publicly available, and the board's website indicates there are no public records of any disciplinary action ever taken against Karch. Last fall, the board issued an emergency order restricting Karch's practice after a patient who underwent a dental-implant procedure in January 2024 died. At the time, the board alleged Karch, who worked at the Dental Studio of Iowa in Johnston, did not stay in the operatory for the duration of the procedure, in violation of state regulations. In issuing the emergency order restricting Karch's ability to practice, the board said it recognized '(Karch) as an imminent threat to public safety' and stated that he 'should not be permitted to participate in procedures involving sedation until further order.' The emergency order was issued nine months after the alleged death and coincided with a civil lawsuit filed against Karch and others involved in the surgery. The lawsuit, filed in Polk County District Court by the family of Joseph Daniels, stated that on Jan. 26, 2024, the 50-year-old Daniels underwent a dental-implant operation that began at 7:15 a.m. and was completed at 3:15 p.m. Around 3:30 p.m., paramedics were dispatched to Dental Studio of Iowa with a report of an 'unconscious person.' According to the lawsuit, the paramedics arrived at 3:40 p.m. and found Daniels in a dental exam chair 'pale, cyanotic, cool and unresponsive.' Daniels was then taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center where he died at 5:51 p.m.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Social worker surrenders license amid sexual conduct allegations
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing administers and oversees many of Iowa's state licensing boards. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images; logo courtesy the State of Iowa) An Iowa-licensed social worker accused of having personal or sexual relationships with two clients has agreed to surrender her license. Earlier this year, the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals charged Stephanie A. Davies, formerly Stephanie A. Levy, with engaging in sexual activity with a former client within five years of the client relationship ending, and with having her social work license revoked in the state of Nebraska. Nebraska Bureau of Public Health records show the bureau revoked Davies' Nebraska license as a master social worker and mental health practitioner in March 2024 for alleged immoral or dishonorable conduct, exploitation and failure to keep adequate records. The Nebraska records indicate Davies was working in private practice as a mental health practitioner and was a leader in the Nebraska First Responders' Support Network when the alleged violations occurred. The bureau alleges that while speaking to a therapist, Davies disclosed that in the fall of 2020, she had become attracted to a female first responder to whom she provided services between July 2019 and February 2022. In February 2021, the bureau alleged, the first responder admitted to her ex-wife she was having an affair with Davies, and in September 2021, Davies and the first responder attended a wedding together as a couple. In January 2022, Davies allegedly moved out of the home she shared with her husband and, on occasion, began staying at the first-responder's home. According to the bureau, Davies admitted to a state investigator, 'I recognize that this is against the rules, I own it and, yeah, that is where we are at.' As part of the Nebraska board's investigation of the matter, an investigator spoke to another of Davies' clients who allegedly said he and Davies had once maintained a 'weird, blended relationship' and that, 'yes, professional lines were probably crossed.' To resolve the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals' charges against her, Davies recently agreed to surrender her license. The Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals recently sanctioned two other licensees: — Michelle Munsen, a licensed mental health counselor who practiced in Sioux City, was employed at Stokes & Associates where she allegedly failed to create and complete the appropriate notes for counseling services she provided. The board charged Munsen with professional incompetence. To resolve the case, Munsen agreed to complete six hours of educational training on recordkeeping and the board issued her a warning. — Terris Sallis, a master's level social worker who practiced in Newton in 2024 when the board charged him with practicing outside the scope of his license. According to the board, Sallis owns his own practice, Integrated Treatment Services, which contracted with an independent social worker. Under Iowa regulations, a master's level social worker cannot oversee the practice of independent social worker and cannot complete the clinical hours required for license when supervised by an employee due to the inherent conflict of interest. Sallis agreed to have his license placed on probation for three years and to complete at least 3,000 hours of additional clinical practice while overseen by a new clinical supervisor.
