State disciplines health care providers

For immediate release: November 14, 2016                                    (16-130)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).

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.

Grant County 

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the certified nursing assistant credential of Bryan P. Blann (NC10037624) and placed him on probation for at least two years. Blann’s license was suspended in 2013 after the state Department of Social and Health Services found he neglected vulnerable adults. 

Grays Harbor County 

In September 2016 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Holly A. Walker (VA00044504) with unprofessional conduct. Walker allegedly admitted taking controlled substances for which she didn’t have a valid prescription. 

Island County 

In September 2016 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the credential of dentist Andrew T. Lai (DE00009768). 

King County 

In July 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Matthew David Mendelow (RN60021599) that reinstates his license and requires him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2016 Mendelow surrendered his New York nursing license after admitting narcotics abuse. 

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Jennifer K. Rios (RN00177082) requiring her to re-enter a substance abuse monitoring program. Rios didn’t comply with a previous substance abuse monitoring contract. 

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant Jeremy Tyler Smith (NA60433382) that places him on probation for at least one year. In 2016 Smith pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicle prowl, but didn’t report the conviction to the Department of Health. 

In September 2016 the Dental Commission withdrew a statement of charges against dentist Bill S. Wong (DE00009371). 

In September 2016 the Dental Commission reinstated the dentist credential of Gary David Pyfer (DE00004974). His license was suspended in 2015 after he didn’t fully reimburse costs to the commission as required. 

Kitsap County 

In September 2016 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist Hamidreza Barakhshan (DE00009257) that fines him $1,000 and orders him to reimburse the commission for $4,268 in expenses. Barakhshan must complete continuing education in wisdom tooth extraction, radiography, dental anesthesia, and recordkeeping. Barakhshan fractured a patient’s jaw, damaged a tooth’s root, and didn’t keep adequate records. 

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of Monica Celeste Nettles (RN60428058), whose Mississippi nursing license was suspended in November 2015. 

Pend Oreille County 

In September 2016 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program charged paramedic Joshua Hicks (ES60310144) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Smith was convicted of reckless driving, third-degree theft, and possession of legend drugs. Charges say Smith stole controlled substances from the fire department where he worked, and that he disclosed being under the influence of prescription drugs when he was driving a fire department vehicle that was involved in an accident. 

Pierce County 

In September 2016 the Medical Commission charged physician Justin K. Yoon (MD00037000) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Yoon pleaded guilty to second-degree promoting prostitution. 

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Jennifer Kay Schliesman (LP60286995) with unprofessional conduct. Schliesman allegedly didn’t comply with a stipulation requiring her to report her employment status. 

In September 2016 the secretary of health lifted the suspension of the health care assistant credential of Jessica A. Rich (HC00148250). Her license was suspended in 2007 in connection with diverting drugs from her workplace. 

Skagit County 

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission entered into an agreement with registered nurse Mary K. Evans-Smith (RN00085914) that requires her to continue to comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Evans-Smith admitted diverting narcotics from the hospital where she worked. 

In August 2016 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Tatianna Marie Watson (NA60607592). The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services found that Watson financially exploited a vulnerable adult in connection with an admission of theft from a resident of an assisted living facility where she worked. 

Snohomish County 

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the registered nursing assistant credential of Svetlana Valentinovna Karpenko (NA00114042). Her license was suspended in 2013 after the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services found she neglected a vulnerable adult. 

In September 2016 the Agency Affiliated Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional programs charged agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional trainee James Conrad Holliday (CG60495670, CO60542481) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Holliday was charged with third-degree attempted rape of a child, and with communication with a minor for immoral purposes via electronic communications. 

In September 2016 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Anthony Eusanio (PY00002207) with unprofessional conduct. Eusanio allegedly didn’t meet professional standards in a child custody case. 

Spokane County 

In September 2016 the Medical Assistant Program modified an agreement with certified medical assistant and medical assistant-phlebotomist Carol Denise Costanzo (CM60379439, PC60379445) to shorten her probation. She admitted using her employer’s prescription system to enter unauthorized prescriptions for her own use. 

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Susan L. Sebesta (NA00095117) with unprofessional conduct. Sebesta allegedly financially exploited a vulnerable adult, and tested positive for methamphetamine.