Therapist Denied His License

A Spokane physical therapist who admitted to hundreds of cases of sexual misconduct in the 1980s wants to go back into business.

The state Department of Health’s physical therapy board denied Kenneth Bicha’s request that it reinstate his license.

In other recent action, various Health Department boards disciplined five nurses, one masseur and one pharmacist from Spokane, for offenses ranging from falsifying documents to sexual misconduct. The decisions were announced Thursday.

In 1987, Bicha was limited to treating only men after he admitted to having sexual intercourse with more than 20 female patients and fondling more than 60. Court records showed he acknowledged as many as 300 separate cases of impropriety during his 18-year career.

The state panel revoked his license in 1989 because he didn’t submit monthly reports from his psychologist and a chiropractor who agreed to monitor his conduct. State officials said at the time that he could apply to have his license reinstated in five years.

Bicha, who could not be located for comment, wants to work at a physical therapy clinic for the elderly, according to a report from the recent board hearing. Bicha told board members he now recognizes himself as a sex addict, but said he plans to avoid temptation by referring patients to other therapists if he feels aroused sexually.

Noting that the same safeguard didn’t work in the past, board members said they didn’t think Bicha had taken enough responsibility for his past problems. They also said Bicha hasn’t kept pace with his profession and “should not be permitted to practice until he has demonstrated current competency.”

Spokane health providers who were disciplined included:

Masseur Gary Younkin, whom state officials say was convicted in 1994 of fourth-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Younkin allegedly had sexual contact with a patient.

The state massage program revoked Younkin’s license for 10 years and fined him $2,000.

Registered Nurse Gary Austin, a Coeur d’Alene resident, who reported on his 1992 Washington license application that he had no felony convictions. In fact, Los Angeles County courts in 1986 convicted Austin of assault with a deadly weapon for the purpose of committing rape.

Austin’s Washington nursing license expired in 1993. The Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission ruled that he cannot reapply for five years.

Joan Bosch, whose license was suspended by the nursing care commission.

The commission said Bosch didn’t comply with orders that she have a mental health evaluation and provide progress reports. The 1994 order came after Bosch was charged with abusing a patient.

Other details were not available Thursday.

Diana Miller, an Idaho resident, whose Washington registered nurse’s license was revoked by the state nursing care commission. She was charged with unprofessional conduct for failing to administer medicine when required and leaving medicine within reach of patients at Spokane’s Southcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in 1993.

Kimberly Robinson, a registered nurse who was charged with unprofessional conduct by the nursing care commission. Details were not available about Robinson’s alleged misconduct, which occurred at Northcrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in 1994.

Sharon Root, whose nursing license was “indefinitely suspended” for unprofessional conduct. The nursing care committee alleges Root failed to adequately supervise her staff at Root Adult Family Home.

Russell Smith, a former ShopKo pharmacist now living in Sandy, Utah, who was reprimanded by the Washington Board of Pharmacy. Smith allegedly gave a prescription to the wrong customer.