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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Adams County

In October 2024 the Emergency Medical Services and Trama Systems Program and the Nursing Assistant Program charged emergency medical technician and certified nursing assistant Aimee Frances-Marie Striffler (ES61390624, NC60896333) with unprofessional conduct. Striffler allegedly violated her 2023 stipulation by not signing her required monitoring program contract.

Clallam County

In October 2024 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Olivia Rose Pua Manion (CO61334272) with unprofessional conduct. As of August 2024, Manion failed to respond to DOH’s requests for information regarding allegations of an inappropriate client relationship.

Chelan County

In October 2024 the Surgical Technologist Program charged surgical technologist Stephanie A. Johanson (ST00003325) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2024, Johanson allegedly tested positive for controlled substances after exhibiting impaired behavior at work.

In August 2024 the secretary of health revoked the home care aide license of Devin Cortney Pom-Arleau (HM60930024). In March 2024, Pom-Arleau was convicted of three counts of forgery, a class C felony, and two counts of second-degree theft, a class C felony.

Clark County

In October 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the certified substance use disorder professional and certified counselor licenses of Jesse Allen James (CP00006269, CL61019010).

In September 2024 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license application of LaRay Louise Swope (CG61231959). In 2021, Swope allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with a juvenile client at a behavioral health facility.

King County

In September 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program and registered nursing assistant Phonethip Pon Harrington (NA61304471) agreed to conditions that restrict Harrington to caring only for their own parents through their previous employer for one year. Harrington allegedly used an elderly patient's credit cards for personal expenses between 2017 and 2022.

In October 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Yukwah Leung agreed to conditions requiring Leung to permanently cease providing massage therapy without a license. Leung, who has never held the required credential, must also pay a $1,000 fine.

In October 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued its final order for Chunfang Zhou to permanently cease providing massage therapy without a license. Zhou, who has never held the required credential, must pay a $1,000 fine.

Kitsap County

In October 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board released David Monroe Gent (PO00000724) from the conditions of his podiatric physician and surgeon license.

Pierce County

In September 2024 the secretary of health released Karin Lynn Escobar (CO60530885) from the conditions of their substance use disorder professional trainee license.

In September 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board released Mark D. Nellermoe (PO00000507) from the conditions of his podiatric physician and surgeon license.

In September 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission denied the dentist assistant license application of Sara Nicole Wilcox (D161581274). Wilcox’s application identified her as 16 years old. State law prohibits minors from working in occupations with exposure risk to bodily fluids or infectious agents outside of formal training programs.

Snohomish County

In October 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacy assistant Chelsea Edwards (VB60982329) with unprofessional conduct. Edwards was allegedly terminated in September 2023 for attempting to deliver a controlled substance against pharmacy policy and has not responded to DOH's investigation.

In October 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Robert Bradley Simkins (MC60161783) for continuing to present himself as a licensed counselor. From 2021 to 2023, Simkins allegedly provided telehealth counseling, despite having his license suspended in August 2017.

Spokane County

In October 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Sarah Faye Love (CO61318333).

In October 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Husnija Mekic (NA61146294) with unprofessional conduct. Between July 2023 and November 2023, Mekic allegedly falsified patient records, misused disability funds, maintained inappropriate patient contact after suspension, and failed to cooperate with DOH's investigation.

Thurston County

In October 2024 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program and the Mental Health Counselor Program charged substance use disorder professional and mental health counselor Brad Lave Bresolin (CP00000105, LH00006881) with unprofessional conduct. Bresolin allegedly violated his 2023 stipulation by not completing his required EBAS (Ethics and Boundaries Services Assessment) training.

In October 2024 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Leandra Dishan Calhoun (CG60673119) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a juvenile facility in 2022, Calhoun allegedly met with a former patient who stole her car at gunpoint. The car was later used in a drive-by shooting. During a police interview, she appeared under the influence of narcotics and has since failed to cooperate with DOH's investigation.

Whatcom County

In October of 2024 the Emergency Medical Services and Trama Systems program charged emergency medical technician Cory Len Campbell (ES60905627) with unprofessional conduct. In November 2023, Campbell allegedly appeared intoxicated at work and avoided a required breathalyzer by claiming a family emergency. Campbell later admitted to drinking on duty and lying to avoid being tested for alcohol consumption. Campbell has not responded to DOH's investigation.