5-24-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Two Whatcom County nurses face disciplinary action for substance abuse.
The Department of Health reports Karen Marie Benkarski is on probation for at least five years after forging more than forty prescriptions for hydrocodone, and not complying with her substance abuse monitoring contract.
Jennifer Michelle Somawang was charged with unprofessional conduct after the agency says she pulled out of a substance abuse program and didn’t show up for about five drug tests.
Department documents say Somawang who worked at Pacific Rim Outpatient Surgery admitted taking fentanyl from the facility and even injected herself with it in the bathroom.