State disciplines health care providers

For immediate release: December 20, 2018  (18-172)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Clallam County

In November 2018 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program reinstated the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Helen Ruth Kenoyer (CO60469589) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Kenoyer’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.

Clark County

In November 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Brittany Ann Feaser (NC60739737) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say a family member took Feaser’s 5-month-old son to an emergency room because the boy had limited ability to move his arms and head. The child allegedly had sustained spine trauma that required surgery, had multiple healing fractures, and also tested positive for cannabinoids. A physician or physicians allegedly considered the injuries consistent with multiple episodes of child abuse. Charges say Feaser’s live-in partner was convicted of two counts of second-degree assault in connection with the boy’s injuries. Feaser allegedly told law enforcement her son had difficulty holding his head up the day before being taken to the hospital, but she didn’t seek medical care for him.

Grant County

In November 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Amy Lynn Cheesman (NA60810051) with unprofessional conduct. Cheesman allegedly consumed alcohol to the point of intoxication and operated an employer vehicle while under the influence. She allegedly didn’t respond when questioned about it by a department investigator.

King County

In November 2018 the Midwifery Program charged midwife Suzanne Lynn Thomson (MW00000204) with unprofessional conduct. Thomson allegedly did not intervene or provide guidance during another midwife’s mismanagement of a patient’s dysfunctional labor, including slowing fetal heartbeat, and insufficient measuring of the patient’s vital signs. The baby died, charges say.

In November 2018 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor and the Marriage and Family Therapist programs reinstated the agency-affiliated counselor and marriage and family therapist credentials of Jami Annette Visaya (CG60221230, MG60126089). Visaya’s licenses were suspended in 2016 because she arranged for a client who was turning 18 to live with her former boyfriend, but didn’t disclose the relationship, and had a personal relationship with the client.

In November 2018 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Samantha Kay Burrow (CO60689887).

In December 2018 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Bruce A. Klein (MA00006772) with unprofessional conduct. In 2018 Klein was convicted of second-degree assault, and of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation. Charges say the massage therapist’s convictions were a result of having improperly touched a patient, and that he agreed to surrender all health care licenses and not to seek others.

In December 2018 the Nursing Assistant and Home Care Aide programs agreed to reinstate the registered nursing assistant and home care aide credentials of Elizabeth Stella Darboe, also known as Elizabeth Stella Gebremedhin (NA60609918, HM60731565), whose licenses were suspended in 2018 because she didn’t comply with substance abuse monitoring program requirements.

In December 2018 the Counselor Program charged agency-affiliated counselor Christopher Ronelle Ausler (CG60612233) with unprofessional conduct. In 2017 Ausler was convicted of first-degree theft. In addition, Ausler allegedly denied knowing a person he had verified as having completed community service, and who was named as a co-defendant with Ausler on an eviction summons.

Spokane County

In November 2018 the Dental Commission charged dentist Shancie Wagner (DE60294772) with unprofessional conduct. Wagner allegedly kept inadequate chart notes for the treatment of two patients.