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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Chelan County

In September 2024 the Mental Health Counselor Program and Agency Affiliated Counselor Program accepted the surrender of the mental health counselor associate and agency affiliated counselor licenses of Devin A. McNeil (CG61202605, MC61224744) and withdrew the statement of charges.

Clark County

In September 2024 the secretary of health withdrew the notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order against Lupita Rivera-Jones.

In September 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacist David N. Ruark (PH00022194) with unprofessional conduct. The amended charges state that in August 2022, Ruark was listed as the Responsible Pharmacy Manager (RPM) for a health care entity but had not worked there since July 2020. Ruark also failed to perform any of his duties while listed as the RPM.

Cowlitz County

In September 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacy technician Krystine Elizabeth Sims (VA60433555) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state Sims admitted to diverting controlled substances on multiple occasions while employed as a pharmacy technician in 2023.

Kitsap County

In September 2024 the Substance Abuse Disorder Professional Program and Agency Affiliated Counselors Program charged substance abuse disorder professional trainee and agency affiliated counselor Krystle Lynne Costa (CO60541578, CG61406468) with unprofessional conduct. From November 2023 to January 2024, Costa failed to respond to repeated requests for an explanation regarding a 2023 complaint of unprofessional conduct.

King County

In September 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board released Ryan A. Bierman (PO00000712) from the terms and conditions on his podiatric physician and surgeon license.

In October 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Yukwah Leung entered an agreed order in which Leung must permanently cease and desist from all practice of massage therapy in Washington state unless they obtain a proper license. Leung must also pay a $1,000 civil fine. The Department of Health initiated an investigation following a complaint that alleged Leung performed an unauthorized full-body massage in July 2023. Leung does not and has never held a massage therapy license in Washington state.

In September 2024 the secretary of health reinstated Feven Tekeste Matewos’s (NA60181969) license to practice as a registered nursing assistant.

In September 2024 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Xianjun Meng (MA60434382) with unprofessional conduct. Meng, who was practicing under active probation, allegedly violated the terms of their 2021 stipulation of informal discipline when a 2023 audit revealed the display of expired Department of Health licenses and the unauthorized performance of massage services by Meng's spouse on a client.

In September 2024 the Applied Behavioral Analysis Advisory Program accepted the surrender of the certified behavior technician license of Carson Erik Okonek (CB61170968) and withdrew the statement of charges.

Lewis County

In September 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Betty Jo Kitchen entered an agreed order in which Kitchen must permanently cease-and-desist from all practice of registered nursing in Washington state unless she obtains a proper license. Kitchen must also pay a $1,000 civil fine. A 2023 investigation revealed Kitchen, while operating an in-home services agency, violated regulations by administering medications to patients without proper authorization. She does not and has never held a registered nursing license in Washington state.

Pierce County

In September 2024 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Jodie Ann Leer (LH60160821) with unprofessional conduct. During their employment as a supervisor, Leer allegedly failed to meet professional standards required of a mental health counselor by improperly handling two separate incidents of suspected substance use by employees.