For immediate release: February 24, 2022 (22-029)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “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.
King County
In January 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist KiAnoosh Behshid (DE00009985) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly not documenting a patient’s condition after a root canal and crown procedure and not informing the patient of treatment options.
In January 2022 the Dental Commission and dentist Andrew Young (DE60114186) entered an agreement that requires Young to cooperate with a substance use monitoring program. Young wrote narcotic pain medication prescriptions for patients but filled and kept the prescriptions for his use.
Kitsap County
In January 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Jessica A. Green (NC10089396) with unprofessional conduct. Green was allegedly involved in a fight that resulted in charges of burglary and assault in Kitsap County Court.
Pierce County
In January 2022 the Osteopathic Board ended probation on the license of osteopathic physician and surgeon Kent R. Walker (OP00001577).
Snohomish County
In January 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged Austin Riley McLaughlin (HM60768975) with unprofessional conduct after he was convicted of assault in Marysville Municipal Court.
In January 2022 the Dental Commission withdrew charges against dental assistant Amber Marie Ditto (D160032764).
In January 2022 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Anna Jia Reese (MA60893501) with unprofessional conduct. Reese allegedly did not comply with record retention rules required under law, also a violation of a 2020 agreement she made with disciplinary authorities to comply with client records rules.
In January 2022 the Dental Commission withdrew charges against dentist Rebecca Carroll Taylor (DE60402643).
In January 2022 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Li Tie (MA60809654) with unprofessional conduct. Tie allegedly failed to comply with record retention rules legally required and failed to secure client records, violating an earlier agreement.
Spokane County
In January 2022 the Medical Assistant Program and the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant and registered medical assistant Samantha Marie Shivvers (MR60861969, MR61116728, and NC60781594) with unprofessional conduct. Shivvers allegedly stole items from her employer, including an iPhone.
In January 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Vincent William Barnett (CG61070078) with unprofessional conduct. Barnett worked at an addiction recovery center when he allegedly tested positive for controlled substances during a random check.
In January 2022 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Ningning Keener (MA60810069) with unprofessional conduct. Keener allegedly did not comply with record retention rules required under a 2020 agreement with the secretary of health to comply with client records rules.
Yakima County
In January 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Deanna Anita-Emily Leos (NC60087144) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Leos failed to comply with a 2020 agreement that put her license on probation and required she inform her employer of the agreement.
Out of State
Arizona: In January 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Augustine F. Aworuwa (PH60876321) with professional misconduct after Aworuwa allegedly entered a consent agreement with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy and failed to report it to the Washington disciplinary authority.
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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