OLYMPIA, Wash. — Two local healthcare providers have been disciplined by the state department of health.
Massage therapist Joel Putman had his license suspended after he was charged with improperly touching a patient and uncovering her without consent.
Charging papers say the incident occurred last January in Whatcom County and that Putman was also licensed as a registered nursing assistant and home care aide.
The health department physical therapy board entered an agreement with Seth O. Burke, fining him $2000, requiring him to pass an ethics course, and obliges Burke to account for a patient’s billing records.
The department says Burke accepted a food dehydrator valued at about $100 from a patient, and agreed to buy the patient’s van for $10,000 in cash or for credit in future physical therapy services.
Burke must reimburse the patient for the balance owed on the vehicle purchase.
He is listed online as owner of Back In Action Physical Therapy on Fraser Street in Bellingham.