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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Clallam County

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency affiliated counselor license to Shawn Brandon Summers (CG61293120). Summers agreed to the conditions, which put his license on probation for three years. Also, a professional must supervise his work and his employer must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In 2020, Summers was convicted of driving under the influence and of harassment-domestic violence.

Clark County

In December 2022 the secretary of health denied the massage license application of Pik Yuk Li (MA61219459). Li surrendered his Nevada license due to sexual misconduct in 2011 and was denied re-licensure in Nevada for submitting false claims, sexual misconduct, and other gross negligence. Also, the Colorado Massage Therapy Licensure Office issued a cease-and-desist order to Li for unauthorized massage therapy practice.

In January 2023 the Nursing Commission and advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse Ashlee Alieta Tubb (AP60525660-NP, RN60475444) agreed to an order that requires Tubb to complete coursework and exams on ethics and boundaries, along with a class on the Nurse Practice Act. Tubb must also pay a $2,000 fine. Tubb gave her employers a COVID-19 vaccine card that did not have accurate information on it, and Tubb’s vaccination status wasn’t verified by the administering facility.

Ferry County

In January 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Vienna Michele LaFrenz of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Between 2017 and 2020, LaFrenz allegedly met with two patients and provided them with integrative medicine. She allegedly provides biofeedback testing and advises patients on health treatments. She does not have a physician or naturopathic physician license in Washington.

Island County

In January 2023 the Nursing Commission and licensed practical nurse Julie Ann Moehring (LP60329704) agreed to an order that requires Moehring to continue to participate in a substance use monitoring program until the program determines it’s no longer necessary. Moehring had tested positive for alcohol while in the program.

King County

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted a registered nursing license to Mary Njeri Ngotho (NA61371931). Ngotho must have her employer submit quarterly performance evaluations. In 2020, the California Department of Public Health suspended her certified nurse assistant license because of unprofessional conduct with a resident while providing care.

In January 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Brett Lee Wadsworth (AP60720812-NP, RN60708947) with unprofessional conduct. He owned and practiced at Wadsworth Psychiatric Services, where he allegedly did not meet the standard of care when he failed to keep adequate patient records, failed to check the prescription monitoring program’s records prior to prescribing substances to new patients, and prescribed controlled substances in combinations he could not justify.

In December 2022 the secretary of health denied the home care aide license application of Sheri Lynn Ingraham (HM61130108). Ingraham’s registered nursing assistant license was suspended in April 2022 after a finding that she passed out and smelled of alcohol while on a shift. For the home care aide credential application, she was required to obtain a substance use evaluation and report, but the department did not receive proof that she complied with the evaluation.

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Kimberly Marie Lux (CO61349240). Lux agreed to the conditions, which place her credential on probation for at least two years, require professional supervision, and require that her supervisor submit quarterly performance evaluations. In 2019 Lux was convicted of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle and, in 2018, of driving under the influence.

Kittitas County

In January 2023 the Nursing Commission and advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse Jeremy Todd Adams (AP61054516-CRNA, RN61053308) agreed to an order that lifts the summary suspension on his credentials. Adams must continue to comply with a substance use monitoring program.

Kitsap County

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency affiliated counselor license to Angela Marie Piper (CG61324469). Piper’s credential is on probation for two years, during which she must have a professional supervise her practice and submit quarterly performance evaluations. In October 2017, she was convicted of several counts of burglary, theft, and possession of stolen property.

In January 2023 the Mental Health Counselor Program reinstated with conditions the mental health counselor license of Tara Jean Larsen-Overstreet (LH60393078). Larsen-Overstreet agreed to the conditions, which require her license to be placed on probation for two years, a restriction on solo practice as a mental health counselor, and professional supervision. She must also have quarterly performance evaluations and allow a Department of Health investigator to audit unannounced at least 10 patient records.

Pierce County

In January 2023 the Dental Commission conditionally granted a dental assistant license to Corey Lashon Pruitt (D161323573). Pruitt agreed to the conditions, which require quarterly performance evaluations for 12 months. He was found guilty of assault-domestic violence and harassment-domestic violence and received a deferred sentence in September 2022.

Spokane County

In December 2022 the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant license application of Andrew Joseph Miller (NA61307401). Miller was convicted of driving under the influence in 2020 and 2019, and reckless driving in 2019. The Department of Health required him to complete a substance use evaluation as part of the application but did not receive proof of the evaluation.

Thurston County

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency affiliated license to Celeste Dawn Jones (CG61350092). She agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. Between 2018 and 2021, Jones was convicted of multiple counts of theft.