For immediate release: October 17, 2019 (19-117)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” 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 October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Kayla M. Streb (NC10092376) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Streb was convicted of unlawful possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Clallam County
In September 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the substance use disorder professional trainee credential of Crystal Ann Churchill, also known as Crystal Ann Oravetz (CO60672061).
Cowlitz County
In September 2019 the Massage Therapist Program agreed to reinstate the massage therapist credential of Amanda Renee Docksteader (MA00023855) and placed her on probation for at least two years. Docksteader must submit performance evaluation or unemployment reports, and complete continuing education in law and ethics. Docksteader’s license was suspended in February 2019 because she didn’t comply with requirements to reimburse the Massage Program for $500, and to complete continuing education in law and ethics.
In October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against registered nursing assistant Karie Jean Koethke (NA60684736) to reflect that in 2018 she was convicted of violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act-possession of methamphetamine, and of three counts of first-degree trafficking in stolen property. Koethke’s license was suspended in 2019 after the state Department of Social and Health Services found that she had financially exploited a vulnerable adult.
King County
In September 2019 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Kevin P. Leathers (CH00002892) with unprofessional conduct. Leathers allegedly didn’t schedule a required exam.
In September 2019 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant-phlebotomist Mark J. Pech (PC60355261) with unprofessional conduct. Pech allegedly worked as a medical center laboratory assistant while under the influence of alcohol.
In September 2019 the Physical Therapy Board agreed to reinstate the physical therapist credential of James Aiton (PT00005217), ordered him to submit performance evaluations or unemployment reports, and directed him to complete continuing education. Aiton’s license was revoked in 2007 following a 2006 first-degree theft conviction.
In September 2019 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program entered an agreement with paramedic Daniel John DeMarco (ES00102572) that reprimands him, requires him to complete a professional boundaries course, and obligates him to submit performance evaluation or unemployment reports. DeMarco didn’t provide timely, complete and accurate patient records about 16 times.
In October 2019 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Coryn L. Schober (VA60285246) with unprofessional conduct. Schober allegedly diverted controlled substances from a pharmacy where she worked, and didn’t respond to a commission investigator’s inquiry.
In October 2019 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Moses Kamau Mwangi (RN60359631) and ordered him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. The nurse’s license was suspended in 2018. Mwangi, who appeared to be impaired while on duty at an adult family home, admitted he had been drinking.
In September 2019 the Physical Therapy Board ended conditions on the physical therapist credential of Lauren Asthore Donahue (PT60833594).
Kitsap County
In October 2019 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Andrea J. Opalenik (OP00002273) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety. The charge comes as a result of a 2019 evaluation.
Pierce County
In September 2019 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional credential to Robin Lee Mauritzen Sehmel (CP60821247), who must abide by conditions placed on her chemical dependency professional trainee credential in 2019.
In September 2019 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Randall G. McZegle (LP00048161) with unprofessional conduct. McZegle allegedly signed in a medication delivery from a pharmacy, but didn’t properly check it in, and diverted a controlled substance for his own use.
In October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Jamie Lynn Melendez (NC60019864) with unprofessional conduct. In 2015 Melendez was convicted in Indiana of operating a vehicle while intoxicated; endangering a person. In 2017 Melendez was convicted in Indiana of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
San Juan County
In October 2019 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Kirk Dinwiddie Fuhrmeister (MA00003188) with unprofessional conduct. Fuhrmeister allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
Snohomish County
In September 2019 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Qingli Ma of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Ma allegedly practiced massage without a license.
In September 2019 the secretary of health ended probation for substance use disorder professional trainee Jeremiah Glen Burks (CO60648578).
Spokane County
In October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Quanlontina Woodard (NA001997815) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Woodard was convicted of third-degree assault of a child, and of second-degree assault.
Thurston County
In September 2019 the secretary of health denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Neil Jeffrey Madison (VB60927052). In 2018 Madison received continuances on charges of second-degree assault – domestic violence, and violation of pretrial no-contact order – domestic violence. That same year Madison was convicted of malicious mischief.
Whatcom County
In September 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant James Alexander Galen-Abbitt (NA60410036) with unprofessional conduct. Galen-Abbitt allegedly took a patient with developmental disabilities for whom he provided care to his apartment, during which time police executed a search warrant and found controlled substances. In 2019 Galen-Abbitt, who allegedly told police he used cocaine, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance.
In October 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Shane Anthony Miller (NA60756675) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Miller admitted stealing and selling a patient’s laptop computer to a pawnshop. In 2019 Miller pleaded guilty to third-degree theft.
Out of State
Florida: In September 2019 the Dental Commission ended probation for dentist and dentist moderate sedation with parenteral agents permittee Liem Duy Do (DE00008159, CS60302995), whose credentials were revoked in August 2019. Do’s credentials remain revoked.
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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