For immediate release: December 31, 2018 (18-174)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
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 December 2018 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional Diane M. Hunter (CP00004291).
In December 2018 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Tess Thompson that requires her to cease and desist from practicing as a naturopathic physician, and fines her $500. Thompson advertised that she charges $45 to treat allergies through acupressure, but has no naturopathic physician license.
In December 2018 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Leslie Stidham of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Stidham allegedly offered to treat skin conditions, but has no medical license.
Clark County
In November 2018 the secretary of health conditionally granted a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Carl Albert Robinson (CO60881922) and ordered him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2014 Robinson was convicted of second-degree taking a motor vehicle without permission, and of possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
In November 2018 the secretary of health denied a home care aide credential to Geraldine Mae Dixon (HM60856139). After abandoning the care of a child with spina bifida and a vulnerable adult because she was hospitalized with shortness of breath, Dixon tested positive for amphetamine and opiate. Dixon admitted having a history of methamphetamine use. She denied current methamphetamine and opiate use, and said her friends probably put it in her food.
In December 2018 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Tiffany Garner (CM60378987) with unprofessional conduct. Garner allegedly didn’t supply proof of having completed required continuing education in ethics.
Grant County
In December 2018 the Dental Commission modified an agreement with dentist Peter M. Cha (DE00006848) to change the payment terms of a $20,000 fine and $10,000 in cost recovery. Cha didn’t meet the standard of care in treating a patient.
King County
In December 2018 the Dental Commission withdrew a statement of charges against dentist Eric J. Lee (DE00008278).
In December 2018 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Yarong Fu of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Fu allegedly admitted having given a spa client a massage, but doesn’t have a massage therapist license.
In December 2018 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Betty Jean Cabe (RN00162534).
In December 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Johnson K. Githinji (NC10077115) with unprofessional conduct. Githinji allegedly allowed another person to use Githinji’s identity to get a license.
In December 2018 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the dentist credential of Kin Cheong So (DE00005103).
In December 2018 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Andriu Kauwea of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Kauwea allegedly has no home care aide license, but provided care to a 78-year-old patient with significant medical needs. Three days after Kauwea allegedly left the patient alone, the patient was found emaciated, dehydrated, and lying in waste. He died 23 days later, after which Adult Protective Services made a finding of neglect against Kauwea.
In December 2018 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified David Mungai Njenga of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Njenga allegedly lacks a nursing license, but used another person’s registered nurse license number when applying for a nursing assistant instructor position.
Kitsap County
In December 2018 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Kerrie Swanson Smith (RN60251363).
In December 2018 the secretary of health denied a medical assistant-hemodialysis technician credential to Kellie Renae McClain (HT60836057). In 2014 McClain was convicted of three counts of third-degree theft. In 2016 two second-degree burglary counts and one third-degree theft count were dismissed after McClain entered drug court.
Lewis County
In December 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Cynthia Skogen, also known as Cynthia Xiomara Essert (NC10077260), with unprofessional conduct. Skogen allegedly stole or altered checks that belonged to a vulnerable adult client. In 2018 she was convicted of two counts of attempted forgery, and of one count of third-degree theft.
Mason County
In December 2018 the secretary of health conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Adriane Alexis Eichhorn (NA60794804) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 2009 and 2013, Eichhorn was convicted of one felony, four gross misdemeanors, and one misdemeanor.
Pierce County
In December 2018 the Hearing and Speech Board ended probation for audiologist Keith David Condict (LD60282050).
In December 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Simon Thiru Kamuyu (NA60633527) with unprofessional conduct. Kamuyu allegedly used another person’s identity to get a certified nursing assistant license.
Snohomish County
In December 2018 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Christy Janelle Buhr (RN60570089).
In December 2018 the Naturopathy Board ended conditions on the naturopathic physician credential of Steven Paul MacPherson (NT00000643).
In December 2018 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program agreed to reinstate the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Lester William Glidden (CO60809381) and ordered him to re-enter a substance abuse monitoring program. Glidden’s license was suspended in 2018 because he refused to sign a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Spokane County
In December 2018 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor and Chemical Dependency Professional programs charged agency-affiliated counselor and chemical dependency professional trainee William John Stotts II (CG60766060, CO60681839) with unprofessional conduct. Stotts allegedly allowed a client to live with him, had sex with her, and is the presumed father of her child. He allegedly helped the client develop a cover story to conceal information from his employer. Stotts allegedly attempted to give money to that client and to another client.
Thurston County
In December 2018 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against marriage and family therapist Michael Dwayne Roos (LF60497884).
Out of State
Nevada: In December 2018 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Jerie Elizabeth Parish (RN00163454).
South Dakota: In December 2018 the secretary of health lifted the revocation of the registered counselor credential of Charlie George Sitting Bull, also known as Charlie George Stewart (RC00014340). The profession itself was abolished in 2010. Sitting Bull’s license was revoked in 2000 after he didn’t respond to a statement of charges alleging he crossed professional boundaries with a client by forming a personal relationship that included sexual touching.
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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