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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Douglas County

In October 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Chams Eldin Ali (PH60244347) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Ali did not respond to investigators’ request for a statement in response to allegations in another case.

Franklin County

In September 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the advanced registered nurse practitioner license of Jonathan Nolan Hale (AP61271241-NP).

King County

In October 2022 the Podiatric Medical Board charged Ryan A. Bierman (PO00000712) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly participating in a rebate program without disclosing his financial interest in the referral.

In October 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the substance use disorder professional trainee credential of David Joseph Grant (CO60924585).

In October 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Mark Babich (CH00003656) with unprofessional conduct. Babich allegedly had an intimate relationship with a client that also involved living together.

In October 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Katherine J. Benjamin of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Benjamin allegedly advertised on her website that she was certified as a small animal massage therapist.

In October 2022 the Medical Assistant Program and the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant and certified nursing assistant April Rose Plewa (CM60393812, NC60171293) with unprofessional conduct. Plewa allegedly diverted at least four tablets of controlled substances from the skilled nursing facility where she worked.

In September 2022 the Nursing Pool Program charged ProMed Alliance Medical Staffing, Inc. (NR60935499), also known as Heritage Medical Staffing, with unprofessional conduct. Charges also included Everlyn Njuki, also known as Evelyn Louise Wambui Njuki, and David Njenga, also known as Dave Njenga Mungai or David Mungai Njenga, Jacob Kabitu, and Evah Njeri Mwangi. They allegedly showed a pattern of behavior that gave legitimate health care workers credentials to unlicensed, unqualified, and unauthorized individuals, allowing them to work without health care credentials.

In October 2022 the secretary of health charged chiropractor John Babich III (CH00002224) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with three patients.

In August 2022 the secretary of health ordered Christine Helkey to stop engaging in medical practice and pay a $1,000 fine. Helkey presented herself as a physician, specifically a cardiothoracic surgeon, and falsified a University of Washington Medical Center badge, but she does not hold a credential to practice as a physician.

Pierce County

In October 2022 the Board of Optometry charged optometrist Joseph Theodore Beaushaw (OD60545495) with unprofessional conduct. Beaushaw allegedly had a romantic and sexual relationship with a patient who had an evaluation with him at the Lasik eye-surgery facility where he worked.

In October 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Haylo Care Inc., doing business as Brightstar Care, of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Haylo, owned by Hayley Jones and Wian Lotter, allegedly does not hold a credential to practice as a nursing pool operator in Washington but has been providing medical staff to pharmacies and another health care provider to administer medications.

In October 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Professional program and Karin Lynn Escobar (CO60530885) agreed to reinstatement with conditions of her substance use disorder professional trainee license. Escobar agreed to professional supervision of her practice and quarterly performance evaluations.

In October 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Salena Marie Navarro (HM60540559) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly diverting hydrocodone pills and replacing them with Tylenol.

In October 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered and advanced registered nurse practitioner Scott Allen Jahner (RN60684722, AP60684723-NP) agreed to an order that puts his licenses on probation for at least 24 months. Jahner’s practice fell below the standard of care after unprofessional conduct with a former patient. He agreed to limit his practice during probation to telehealth care, submit progress reports, and have his doctor submit reports, among other actions.

In October 2022 the Veterinary Board withdrew charges against veterinarian Kamal J. Walia (VT00002554).

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the initial limited dental hygienist license of Niya Jane Clemens, also known as Niya Jane Barber (IL60918433).

Skagit County

In October 2022 the Pharmacy Commission and Clint Auttapibarn (PH60409983) agreed to an order that requires his pharmacist license to be monitored. Auttapibarn must seek a substance abuse evaluation and comply with the recommendations. He is prohibited from serving as a responsible pharmacy manager and must pay a fine of $1,000. In January 2021, coworkers observed Auttapibarn exhibiting signs of intoxication. He surrendered his California license to practice as a pharmacist to the Board of Pharmacy through an order in 2020.

Snohomish County

In October 2022 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian Robert Jeffrey Mayo (VT00004785) with unprofessional conduct. Mayo allegedly misrepresented himself as a specialist in veterinary medicine surgery but is not a board-certified surgeon. He allegedly caused injury to a canine patient when performing knee surgery on a dog.

In October 2022 the Chiropractic Commission and chiropractor Jeffrey P. Clark (CH00002638) agreed to compliance audits, pay a fine of $1,000, and submit COVID-19 protocols to the Commission.

Spokane County

In September 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse credential of Kayla Serbantez (LP61213419).

In August 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Amanda Louise Carrell (CO61279480). Carrell agreed to a one-year probation on her license, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. In 2019, Carrell pled guilty to attempted theft and vehicle prowling in Pierce County Superior Court.