For immediate release: October 14, 2016 (16-119)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Benton County
In August 2016 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation for pharmacist Max R. Strait (PH00009326).
In August 2016 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Jessica L. Whitman (VA00060325) with unprofessional conduct. Whitman allegedly prepared prescriptions and compounded prescription mouthwash without supervision from a licensed pharmacist.
Cowlitz County
In August 2016 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional R Russ (CP00000957) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Russ failed an ethics program.
Grant County
In August 2016 the secretary of health lifted the revocation of the registered counselor credential of Kathy Gardner (RC00048580) and converted it to expired status. The registered counselor credential was abolished in 2010.
King County
In August 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for certified nursing assistant Tawnye Lee Richards (NC60444491).
In August 2016 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Renard Jay Smith (CO60626239). Smith’s credential was placed on probation, he was directed to complete continuing education in law and ethics, and ordered to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 1984 and 2015, Smith was convicted of seven felonies and seven gross misdemeanors, and received a deferred sentence on two gross misdemeanor charges.
In August 2016 the Naturopathy Board filed a second amended statement of charges against naturopathic physician Mark C. Monwai (NT00001107). It adds allegations involving billing issues. Amended charges say Monwai practiced with a suspended license and that he didn’t cooperate with a Department of Health inquiry.
In August 2016 the Medical Commission ended probation for physician Jonathan V. Wright (MD00011394).
In August 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program vacated the license suspension of certified nursing assistant Mary Ann Wahu Kibe (NC60306136) after the state Department of Social and Health Services removed her from being forbidden to be employed in caring for or having access to vulnerable adults.
Pierce County
In August 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Maura Monica Chavez (NA60474638, NC60511460).
In August 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Kara Marie Salvey (NA60261477) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Salvey was convicted of third-degree theft after she stole money from a patient at an assisted living center where she worked.
In August 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for certified nursing assistant Earnestine Neal (NC10022228).
In August 2016 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program charged chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional Tena Kristal Bremmeyer (CO60153438, CP60346069) with unprofessional conduct. Bremmeyer allegedly admitted using methamphetamine and relapsing on alcohol.
In June 2016 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against massage practitioner Aliesha H. Alexandar (MA00000678).
Skagit County
In August 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Laura Irene Twing (CO60490788).
In August 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Mary K. Evans-Smith (RN00085914) with unprofessional conduct. Evans-Smith allegedly admitted diverting narcotics from the hospital where she worked.
Spokane County
In August 2016 the secretary of health denied a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Ryan Christopher Kunz (CO60656341). Between 2002 and 2014, Kunz was convicted of two felonies and two misdemeanors.
In August 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Carol Joy Lambert (NC60141342) with unprofessional conduct. Lambert’s registered nurse license was suspended in May 2016 after she was charged with controlled substance homicide and promoting a suicide attempt.
Stevens County
In August 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Rebecca Alice Clausen (NA60047483) with unprofessional conduct. Clausen allegedly effectively stole or diverted medication from one patient and prescribed or distributed it to another patient. Charges say Clausen pressured a staff member not to disclose the incident.
Thurston County
In August 2016 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation for pharmacist Deneice Gurrad (PH00019299).
In August 2016 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Kenneth N. Kamau (NC60227158).
In August 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Brittany M. Eddy (NC60110773) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say a client paid more than $40,000 for a car for Eddy, but Eddy didn’t abide by an agreement to repay the client or return the car. Eddy also allegedly accepted more than $4,500 from the client.
Walla Walla County
In August 2016 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Andrea Leigh Dressler (CO60245625).
Yakima County
In June 2016 the Surgical Technologist and Medical Assistant programs charged surgical technologist, medical assistant-phlebotomist and certified medical assistant Angela Marie Broders (ST60171520, PC60379751, CM60379757) with unprofessional conduct. Broders allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program, used methamphetamine and heroin, and acknowledged a drug and alcohol problem.
Out of State
Oregon: In August 2016 the Medical Commission modified an agreement with physician Jeffrey S. Pierson (MD00041338) to remove probationary status and therapy requirements. Pierson’s credential was first suspended and then placed on probation in 2012 in connection with sexual misconduct, and a 2011 conviction on a federal charge of conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Oregon: In July 2016 the Emergency Medical Services and Trauma Systems Program charged paramedic Elizabeth E. MacNicoll (ES60024931) with unprofessional conduct. MacNicoll allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.
Oregon: In June 2016 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy intern Natalie Susan Carrico (IR60483422) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Carrico left a university pharmacy program.
Utah: In August 2016 the Medical Commission ended an agreement with physician Steven R. Angerbauer (MD60234433) under which his license was monitored.
Virginia: In August 2016 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Christina Melody Cranford-Swaim (RN60453487).
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.
The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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