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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Benton County

In April 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Guadalupe Gutierrez (NC60151060) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that when submitting a Nursing Assistant Expired Certified Activation Application to reactivate her expired license, Gutierrez failed to report that in 2020 she had pled guilty to driving under the influence of intoxicants in the state of Oregon, as well as failing to report the subsequent disciplinary action taken by the Oregon State Board of Nursing.

Chelan County

In April 2023 the secretary of health and Steven Mario Perez (CG61276108) agreed to the conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation for two years, during which time Perez must work under an approved supervisor and his supervisor must submit quarterly performance reports.

Clark County

In April 2023 the Massage Therapy Program charged massage therapist Misty Dawn Leonard (MA60071897) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Leonard practiced massage therapy on an expired license, and in April 2022 failed to provide medical records to a patient, the patient’s attorney, and to the Department of Health in June 2022. Leonard’s massage therapy license expired in July 2021.

In April 2023 the secretary of health and Eric Michael Lohn-Thomas (CG61398447) agreed to conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation for three years, during which time Lohn-Thomas must work under an approved supervisor who must submit quarterly performance reports.

King County

In April 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Giovanni Siano of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that as early as 2019, Siano allegedly practiced massage therapy at a business and was listed as support staff on the business webpage. Siano does not and has never held a licensed massage therapist credential.

In April 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Frances Gathungu Gathumbi (NA61175822) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between April 2021 and September 2021, Gathumbi allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a resident at the adult family home where he was employed.

In April 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors and Alene Teres Holmberg (VM61349694) agreed to conditions on her veterinary medication clerk license. Holmberg must enroll in a substance use monitoring program until the program determines it is no longer necessary.

Pend Oreille County

In April 2023 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the substance use disorder professional and agency affiliated counselor licenses of Larry Gene Howard (CG60854071, CP60506174).

Pierce County

In April 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Shuhua An of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that in February 2022, An offered to provide massage to an undercover police officer in exchange for $40. An does not and has never held a massage therapist credential in the state of Washington.

In April 2023 the Dental Commission withdrew charges of unprofessional conduct against dentist Daryl W. Yorek (DE00007613).

Snohomish County

In March 2023 the secretary of health denied the home care aide application of Patricia Francois Huff (HM61220758). In March 2022, Huff assaulted a vulnerable adult in her care by striking them, pushing them to the ground and then abandoning them with police.

In May 2023 the Social Worker Program and the Chemical Dependency Professionals Program amended charges of unprofessional conduct against chemical dependency professional and independent clinical social worker Brian Keith Hall (CP00005232, LW60492025) whose license is summarily suspended. Charges previously stated that in August 2018, Hall was arrested on suspicion of indecent liberties, a class B felony. The amendment includes a September 2022 conviction of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. From October 2017 to August 2018, Hall allegedly engaged in inappropriate touching and conversations not related to legitimate health care with numerous minors while counseling them.

Spokane County

In April 2023 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Dawn Marie McGuffin (VA60195177) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that on numerous occasions starting as early as September 2020, McGuffin diverted controlled substances from her pharmacy employer for her own use.

In April 2023 the secretary of health and Krystal Kim Rose (CG61350349, CO61132701) agreed to the conditions on her agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses. The licenses are to be on probation for two years, during which time Rose will work under an approved supervisor who must submit quarterly performance reports.

In May 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Abdiqadir Abdi Osman (NA60534267) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in November 2019, Osman was charged with fourth-degree assault after allegedly being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol with a client in his car while on duty, and then assaulting a fellow staff member. In August 2021, Osman pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, reckless driving, and second-degree malicious mischief for a case that occurred in October 2019.

In May 2023 the Counselor Program charged certified behavior technician Savannah Jane Johnson (CB61287065) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2022, Johnson allegedly took at least $2,000 from a patient’s mother’s wallet. Johnson did not respond to a Department of Health investigator’s letter of cooperation.

Thurston County

In May 2023 the Certified Counselor Program charged certified counselor Darlene Anastacia Sousa (CL60739471) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in December 2019, Sousa charged a client for a series of tests done on a client’s two children, but allegedly did not inform the client of her fees, provide a disclosure statement, or perform a global assessment of functioning (GAF), all required by Washington state law when practicing. Sousa is also alleged to have misrepresented her credentials in the fields of psychology and neuropsychology.

In May 2023 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Rose Marie Kinder (HM60803022) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that from February 2022 to July 2022, Kinder was temporarily suspended by her employer numerous times for infractions including failure to complete daily documentation, failure to provide patients with medications, failure to count narcotic medications when leaving her shift, and allegedly failing drug tests. The Department of Health was unable to contact Kinder through USPS mail or an email for a request to address the allegations.