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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “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.

Adams County

In March 2022 the Pharmacy Commission and pharmacist Corrina L. Gray (PH00041377) entered an agreement that requires her to pay a $5,000 fine, complete continuing education, and submit to unannounced audits. Gray, a pharmacist-in-charge, employed pharmacy assistants who handled drugs and worked outside their licensed scope.

Benton County

In March 2022 the Board of Naturopathy charged naturopathic physician Virginia L. Frazer (NT00000677) with unprofessional conduct. Frazer allegedly failed to cooperate with the disciplining authority after she was contacted about complaints related to unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical records and allegations that she was issuing medical and religious exemptions to pediatric patients wishing to avoid immunizing their children.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the license of registered nurse Jill Elizabeth Bocol (RN00131423).

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions certified medical assistant and registered medical assistant licenses to Brooke Rachel Burnett (CM61064084, MR61262522). Burnett agreed to participate in a substance use disorder program. She was convicted of multiple gross misdemeanors and felonies between 1991 and 2019 in Washington and Nevada, including forgery and driving under the influence.

Clark County

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Adrienna Toinette Calleja (NA60182922) with unprofessional conduct. Calleja entered an agreement with the Nursing Commission subjecting her licensed practical nurse credential to conditions.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission lifted, subject to conditions, the summary suspension of the license of registered nurse Donald J. Schaefer (RN00171483) after Schaefer agreed to participate in a substance use monitoring program. In 2021, Schaefer voluntarily surrendered his credential to practice as a registered nurse in Oregon after failing to comply with an agreement that required toxicology testing.

In February 2022 the Pharmacy Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license application of Melissa Mae Chappell (VB61095324) after she failed to comply with a mental health examination as part of the application. Chappell was charged with assault, domestic violence, in Mason County Superior Court and ordered to be admitted to the County Mental Health Court.

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Taylor Nichole Martin (NC60477153) with unprofessional conduct. Martin allegedly stole from multiple co-workers and residents at a senior living facility.

Cowlitz County

In March 2022 the Dental Commission withdrew the charges against dentist Jeffrey Alan Sulitzer (DE60576749).

King County

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Lidia Tadese Gebreab (LP60573363) with unprofessional conduct. Gebreab allegedly misrepresented her education to obtain a registered nurse license and intentionally misrepresented facts during an investigation.

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Xianmin Meng entered an agreement in which Meng agreed to stop practicing massage therapy without a license. Meng practiced massage for two months in 2019 but has never held a Washington massage therapy license.

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant program charged certified nursing assistant Angela Lorraine Walker (NC60508680) with unprofessional conduct. Walker was charged with attempted identity theft and attempted theft in Kirkland Municipal Court after allegedly making unauthorized purchases with a patient’s debit card to pay her rent.

Mason County

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated with conditions the license of registered nurse Diane Lynn Sarno (RN00121639). Sarno agreed to probation on her license while she completes a refresher course, and Sarno must continue to participate in a substance use monitoring program.

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Warunee Khiaochaum entered an agreement that Khiaochaum will pay a fine of $1,000 and stop practicing massage therapy in Washington without a credential.

Skagit County

In March 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Program charged chemical dependency professional (now substance use disorder professional) Tara L Brinson (CP00006297) with unprofessional conduct. Brinson was charged with felony assault, domestic violence, after allegedly attempting to strangle a family member and threatening to kill them.

Snohomish County

In March 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Travis Lee Boston (CG60997048).

Spokane County

In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Brandon John Search (CO61236546). Search agreed to his license being placed on probation for at least three years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. Search was convicted of multiple gross misdemeanors and felonies between 2013 and 2019. The convictions included unlawful use of a weapon constituting domestic violence and driving under the influence of intoxicants, among others.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission ended probation on the license of registered nurse Garren J. Christensen (RN60434928).

In March 2022 the secretary of health charged physical therapist Erik Jeffrey Patterson (PT60815362) with unprofessional conduct after he asked a patient about sexual and romantic topics, including the patient’s sexual preferences and dating history.

Whatcom County

In March 2022 the Physical Therapy Board ended conditions on the physical therapist license of Seth O. Burke (PT00010380).

Out of State

Colorado: In February 2022 the Nursing Commission denied the registered nurse application of Peter Mile Brnovich (RN61236958) after he failed to obtain a substance use evaluation. Brnovich’s registered nurse license was revoked in Florida in 2011 and he was convicted in Florida of several felonies, including passing forged bills and grand theft.