State disciplines health care providers

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.

The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions, and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., dentists, nurses, counselors). Information about disciplinary action taken against medical doctors and physician assistants can be found on the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) website. Questions about WMC disciplinary actions can be sent to media@wmc.wa.gov.

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” section of the Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov).The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In June 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the certified medical assistant and registered medical assistant licenses of Brooke Rachel Burnett (CM61064084, MR61262522).

In June 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Hannah Elizabeth Cowin (CO61291072).

King County

In June 2024 the secretary of health charged certified medical assistant Deana Lee Martinson (CM60364774) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in November 2022, Martinson admitted to accessing and sharing a patient’s discharge information without a job-related reason.

In June 2024 the secretary of health and Ioan Muntean (NA00138310) entered an agreed order releasing Muntean from a summary suspension and placing conditions on his registered nursing assistant license. The license is on probation for two years during which time Muntean must allow at least five unannounced audits of patient records and pay a $250 fine. In February 2022, Muntean agreed to a stipulated order of continuance in King County District Court on three counts of fourth-degree assault based on misconduct with employees at the adult family homes he owned. The stipulated order states that Muntean not have any contact with the employees, enroll in a sexual deviancy and boundaries treatment program and complete 20 hours of community service.

In June 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission reinstated the dentist license of Joseph R. Zimmer (DE00006267).

Okanogan County

In June 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Eileen Marie Lombardi (RN60130366, AP61089190-NP) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in October 2023, Lombardi removed hydromorphone for multiple patients who did not have orders for hydromorphone. Lombardi did not document the administration or waste of this medication. Lombardi admitted to diverting controlled substances from the workplace for her personal use over the span of approximately two years.

Pierce County

In June 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Michelle S. Ortiz. Ortiz must cease and desist from engaging in any practice of being a medical assistant and must pay a $1,000 fine. In August 2023, Ortiz held herself out and practiced as a medical assistant without holding a credential to practice as a medical assistant. Ortiz has also not responded to the notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order from March 2024.

In June 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Ilene L. Molinder. Molinder must cease and desist from engaging in the unlicensed practice of psychology. Molinder engaged in the unlicensed practice of psychology as stated in the initial order from March 2024. In April 2024, Molinder requested the initial order be reversed and the action dismissed. The program denied Molinder’s petition and affirmed the initial order.

In June 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Elizabeth Tracy Anderson (RN60136609) with conditions on the license. Anderson must continue to comply with a monitoring program.

Skagit County

In June 2024 the secretary of health granted Jorak Fountian (NA61449623) a license to practice as a registered nursing assistant with conditions on the license. Fountian must enroll and participate in a monitoring program for three years. In January 2022, Fountian was convicted of driving under the influence, reckless driving, three counts of no contact/protection order violation, and violation of a harassment order, all gross misdemeanors.

In June 2024 the Board of Physical Therapy terminated the probation on the physical therapist license of Jay Arthur Smith (PT00002050).

Snohomish County

In June 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the mental health counselor license of Jodi Lyn Strittmatter (LH61479885).

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Amy Lynn Nicholson (CG61384146, CO61510344) licenses to practice as an agency affiliated counselor and a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the licenses. The agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses are on probation for two years, during which time Nicholson must work under an approved professional who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In March 2021, Nicholson was convicted of fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor.

In June 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Brittany Marie Robinson (CG61015254).

In June 2024 the secretary of health granted Jesiqua Renee Matyas (CG61518359) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The agency affiliated counselor license is on probation for three years, during which time Matyas must work under an approved health care supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In September 2018, Matyas was convicted of second-degree identity theft – DV, a class C felony. In March 2019, Matyas was convicted of first-degree criminal impersonation, a class C felony, and third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. In July 2019, Matyas was convicted of second-degree identity theft, a class C felony.

Spokane County

In June 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Haley Dawn Podolske (NC10088041).

Whitman County

In May 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacy assistant Erin M. Donceel (VB61471624) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in November 2023, Donceel stole prescriptions for Oxycontin and Oxycodone from the clinic where she worked.

Out of State

Alaska: In May 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the agency affiliated counselor license of Katie Renae McKenzie Green (CG60826840).

Illinois: In June 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Linda May Girault (RN61298971) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Girault failed to comply with a monitoring contract and in April 2024, Girault withdrew from the monitoring program.