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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 July 2024 the secretary of health charged registered nursing assistant Kayla Lynne Benson (NA61394201) with unprofessional conduct. Alleged facts state that in July 2023, Benson was terminated from her place of work after fellow staff members witnessed her multiple times removing food and household supplies meant for residents.

Cowlitz County

In August 2024 the secretary of health and Timothy Lee Bales (CG61060065, CP60590319) entered an agreed order with conditions on Bales’ agency affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional licenses. Bales must continue to comply with a monitoring program he re-enrolled in August 2023.

Franklin County

In August 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission terminated the probation on the pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistant licenses of Joshua Alden Wright (VB60906937, VA61104618).

King County

In August 2024 the secretary of health charged mental health counselor associate Lander Denise Mitchell (MC60677044) with unprofessional conduct. Alleged facts state that Mitchell does not hold a license and does not have the qualifications to practice or represent herself as a psychologist. Mitchell allegedly failed to comply with supervision requirements for licensed mental health counselor associates, during which time she practiced beyond the scope of her mental health counselor associate license by performing psychological assessments and diagnosing multiple patients. From September 2022 to July 2023, Mitchell failed to fully cooperate with DOH’s investigation into the allegations.

Kitsap County

In August 2024 the secretary of health charged marriage and family therapist associate Christina Carlton (MG61113638) with unprofessional conduct. Alleged facts state that in November 2021, Carlton communicated with a client through their personal phone for non-therapeutic purposes.

Pierce County

In August 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Chantelle Lawrence. Lawrence must cease and desist from engaging in the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. Lawrence administered the Bordetella vaccine to patients 2-4 times a week for five years without holding a credential to practice veterinary medicine. October 2023 was the last time Lawrence administered the vaccine.

In August 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Erica Schaefer. Schaefer must cease and desist from engaging in the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. Schaefer administered the Bordetella vaccine to patients 2-4 times a week for three years without holding a credential to practice veterinary medicine.

In August 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Miranda Turner. Turner must cease and desist from engaging in the unlicensed practice of veterinary medicine. Turner administered the Bordetella vaccine to patients 2-4 times a week for five years without holding a credential to practice veterinary medicine.

In August 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) granted Cristian Hernandez (RN61520387) a license to practice as a registered nurse with conditions on the license. Hernandez must participate in a monitoring program. In September 2013, Hernandez pled guilty to DUI-excessive. In May 2022, Hernandez was convicted of DUI, a gross misdemeanor.

In August 2024 the secretary of health amended the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against agency affiliated counselor Adriene B. Casteele (CG60294676). The amended statement alleges that between October 2021 and December 2021, Casteele practiced as a licensed marriage and family therapist associate without having an active license. During this time, Casteele worked as a direct service staff member and supervisor at her company and failed to adequately supervise staff by allowing an unlicensed employee to conduct treatment sessions. Casteele’s actions fell below the standard of care when treating patients creating substantial risk of harm to domestic violence victims and their children. Casteele and her company failed to respond to DOH’s letter of cooperation from April 2023 and to multiple attempts to contact her.

Snohomish County

In August 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the massage therapist license of Mei Hong (LH60429375).

Spokane County

In August 2024 the secretary of health granted Jocelyn Rae Stanard (CG61358759) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The substance use disorder professional license is placed on probation for three years, during which time Stanard must provide a copy of the agreement to current and future health care employers. Stanard must also be supervised by a qualified professional who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In February 2020, Stanard was convicted of taking a vehicle without permission, a class C felony. In October 2020, Stanard was convicted of distribution of 50 grams or more of actual (pure) methamphetamine.

Whatcom County

In August 2024 the secretary of health granted Elyse Ann Barstow (NC60382983) a license to practice as a certified nursing assistant with conditions on the license. Barstow must be employed by a health care employer who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In November 2017 and 2020, Barstow was convicted twice of driving under the influence, both gross misdemeanors.

Yakima County

In August 2024 the secretary of health granted Sarah Jean Palmer (CO61564677) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional with conditions on the license. The substance use disorder professional license is placed on probation for three years, during which time Palmer must provide a copy of the agreement to current and future health care employers. Palmer must also be supervised by a qualified professional who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In December 2017, Palmer was convicted of possession of a stolen motor vehicle, a class C felony. In August 2018, Palmer was convicted of theft of a motor vehicle, a class B felony. In December 2018, Palmer was convicted of second-degree possession of stolen property, a class C felony. In October 2019, Palmer was convicted of second-degree theft, a class C felony. In October 2020, Palmer was convicted of second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine and second-degree possession of stolen property, all class C felonies, and third-degree possession of stolen property, a gross misdemeanor.