For immediate release: March 10, 2022 (22-036)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Benton County
In February 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified nursing assistant license of Rylie Lauren Stanley (NC60976106).
Clark County
In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to April Rene Parent (CO61221382). Parent agreed to the terms, which include three years of probation and supervision of her practice. Parent was convicted in 2018 of criminal trespass and bail jumping in Clark County Court. She was also convicted of possessing a restricted weapon in Oregon in 2018.
King County
In January 2022 the Nursing Commission denied the registered nurse application of Hien T. Tran (RN61167434). Tran allegedly failed to meet the minimum qualifications to practice as a registered nurse.
In January 2022 the secretary of health denied an agency affiliated counselor license to Kamaria Lorane Benge (CG61221328). Benge was convicted of making false or misleading statements to a public servant and theft, both gross misdemeanors, in 2019.
In February 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified nursing assistant license of Sekou A. Daramay (NC60419766).
In February 2022 the secretary of health denied the massage therapist application of Geraldine Galbraith Taeckens (MA61018833). Taeckens was convicted of health care fraud in Michigan, where she was sentenced to a minimum of two years imprisonment, ordered to pay $87,000 in restitution, and had her master’s social worker license revoked.
Pierce County
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission withdrew charges against registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Scott L. Paris (RN00135307, AP30006338).
In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Teresa Elizabeth Keith (RN00114854) with unprofessional conduct. Keith allegedly agreed to enter a substance use monitoring program to avoid potential discipline, but after signing a five-year monitoring contract, Keith withdrew from the substance use monitoring program.
Snohomish County
In January 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a medical assistant-phlebotomist license to Saniza Neaha Nisha (PC61233363), which requires her employer to submit performance evaluations. Nisha’s certified nursing assistant license was suspended in 2018 after she used retirement facility residents’ credit cards for purchases without their permission.
In February 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Theis Kevin also known as Kevin Theis, agreed that he will stop engaging in massage therapy unless he has obtained a license or an exception.
Spokane County
In February 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the midwife license of Elizabeth Morrill (MW00000229).
Thurston County
In February 2022 the Mental Health Counselor and Mental Health Counselor Associate Programs charged associate mental health counselor and mental health counselor Joseph Vincent Cavaleri (LH60827876, MC60160902) with unprofessional conduct. Cavaleri allegedly failed to comply with a 2021 order requiring a mental health examination.
Yakima County
In February 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Latosha Marie Jacobe (CO60795811).
Out of State
Minnesota: In February 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the chemical dependency professional license (now called substance use disorder professional license) of Jon D. Schlenske (CP00006083).
Mississippi: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated the license of registered nurse Kathy Dianne French Batton (RN00099764).
Oregon: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Susanne C. Benthin (RN00095600) with unprofessional conduct after the Oregon State Board of Nursing entered an order requiring probation for at least 24 months with conditions to monitor Benthin’s practice and sobriety.
Oregon: In January 2022 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor and associate mental health counselor applications of Amanda Christine Moore (CG61230771, MC61229898). The California Board of Behavioral Sciences revoked Moore’s Associate Marriage and Family Therapist registration credential in California in May 2021.
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 DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
###