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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Clallam County

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Michelle Margaret Duvall (CG61234863). She agreed to the conditions, which include two years’ probation of her credential, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. In 2014, Duvall was convicted of theft and forgery in Clallam County Superior Court.

Clark County

In March 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist Brady Tucker Smith (DE60506244) with unprofessional conduct after his treatment of several patients allegedly fell below the standard of care. Charges state that Smith didn’t complete patient records for patients receiving scaling and root planning services.

Jefferson County

In March 2022 the secretary of health denied the substance use disorder professional trainee application of Sara Thornton Soper (CO61202438). Soper was convicted of theft in the second degree in 2018.

King County

In March 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Zach Richard Renzetti (CO61076346).

In March 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the massage therapist license of Benjamin Ray Gallagher (MA60943475).

In March 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Staten C. Medsker, Jr. (CH00002796) with unprofessional conduct. Medsker’s license has been suspended since 2018, but he allegedly practiced on a patient on five separate dates in March 2021.

In March 2022 the Board of Physical Therapy and physical therapist Judy L. Galambos (PT00009661) entered an agreement that requires her to comply with a substance use monitoring program, pay a $1,000 fine, and pass an ethics course.

Kitsap County

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant William John Kipp, Jr. (NA60704749) with unprofessional conduct. Between 1995 and 2005, Kipp allegedly engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with two minors.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated with conditions the registered nurse license of Caprice Carole La Dieu, also known as Caprice Carole Taylor (RN60409110). The conditions require that La Dieu complete a refresher class and continuing education.

Pierce County

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Young T. Park of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Park allegedly gave a patient a massage but does not hold a credential to practice massage in Washington and never has.

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and certified nursing assistant Betty Jo Nelson (NC60135892) entered an agreement that puts her license on probation for at least two years after she failed to comply with a 2020 agreement. She’s also required to complete an ethics and boundaries exam, among other conditions on her license.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Adeyinka B. Wuraola (LP00058851) with unprofessional conduct. Wuraola allegedly procured a registered nurse degree without acquiring the necessary education and allegedly intentionally misrepresented her education and other facts during the investigation.

Snohomish County

In March 2022 the Board of Denturists charged denturist Gene Melner (DN60457532) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that a patient who had dentures fitted in Melner’s clinic went to pick them up and discovered the office was closed. Melner allegedly did not provide an explanation to investigators when they reached out to him about the allegations.

In March 2022 the secretary of health withdrew charges against registered nursing assistant Peters Joseph Ikeji (NA60876703).

In March 2022 the Pharmacy Commission granted with conditions a pharmacy assistant license to Samantha Jane Zeine (VB61238544). She agreed to probation for at least two years, quarterly performance evaluations, and a 4-hour continuing education course. Zeine failed to disclose on her application her convictions for assault-domestic violence, and violation of a no-contact order, in Island County Municipal Court.

Thurston County

In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Betianne Sara Townshend (CG61244635). She agreed to three years’ probation on her credential, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. Townshend was convicted of several felonies, including bail jumping and criminal impersonation, in Thurston County Superior Court in 2019.

In March 2022 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the home care aide license of Katie Lyn Thomas (HM60939501).

Walla Walla County

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission ended probation on the registered nurse license of Kenneth Bailey Smith (RN60733283).

Whatcom County

In February 2022 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the massage therapist license of Amanda Marie Carter Arvine (MA60503968).

In March 2022 the Dental Commission and dentist Faith R. Bult (DE00009293) entered an agreement that requires Bult to continue to comply with a program that assesses and monitors her health and skills. Bult injured her head in January 2020, making her initially unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

In March 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the emergency medical technician license of Charles Michael Lester (ES01163649).