For immediate release: January 10, 2025 (25-006)
Contact: DOH Communications
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Chelan County
In October 2024 the secretary of health reinstated Mark N. Hoffman's (LW00009384) license to practice as an independent clinical social worker with conditions. The license is on probation for at least two years, during which time Hoffman must follow the terms of the agreed order on reinstatement.
King County
In October 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission and dental assistant Jasmine Denise Betea (D160522959) entered an agreed order. After practicing from June 2019 to April 2022 without a valid credential, Betea must pay a $500 fine and comply with order terms.
In October 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the certified behavior technician license of Vanessa Lucille Heimrich (CB61136633).
In October 2024 the secretary of health denied Eunice Elizabeth Stanisci (PC61498688) a license to practice as a medical assistant-phlebotomist.
Kitsap County
In October 2024 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Chloe Sinnett (CG61380439) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a youth inpatient unit in April 2023, Sinnett allegedly admitted to bringing cocaine and leaving it in the bathroom. She also failed to comply with DOH investigation requests.
Pierce County
In October 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program ordered Yanke Cai to cease massage practice and pay a $1,000 fine. While working as a cleaning assistant in April 2022, Cai performed an unauthorized massage and allegedly sexually assaulted a client. Cai has never held a massage therapy license.
In October 2024 the secretary of health released Scott Patrick McKinney from the 2023 terms and conditions of his marriage and family therapist license (LF61337221) and terminated the probation on his marriage and family therapist associate license (MG60945863).
Skagit County
In October 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional license of Ashley Elizabeth Wick (CO61331547).
Snohomish County
In September 2024 the secretary of health denied Nancy Lee Budd’s (SC61475507) independent clinical social worker assistant application. Budd failed to complete the required substance use evaluation through a monitoring program within specified timeframes.
Spokane County
In October 2024 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Tricia L. Cline (HM60913330) with unprofessional conduct. Cline failed to complete the required continuing education courses and pay a $250 fine as required by the 2023 stipulation.
Yakima County
In October 2024 the secretary of health released Melissa Lara Belding (LH60587833) from the 2023 terms and conditions of her agreed order and terminated oversight and monitoring of her compliance.
Out of State
California: In October 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program and JiangTao Guo entered an agreed order. Guo must permanently cease and desist massage therapy practice unless properly licensed or qualifying for an exception.
Colorado: In October 2024 the Licensed Mental Health Counselor Program charged licensed mental health counselor Stephen Patrick Flansbaum (LH60526071) with unprofessional conduct. While providing virtual counseling in 2022, he allegedly solicited and received $4,200 from a patient for personal veterinary bills, threatened the patient's sobriety through negative interactions about the loan, and falsely billed for unperformed services.
Idaho: In October 2024 the Board of Physical Therapy charged physical therapist Peter Jon Faletto (PT00009476) with unprofessional conduct. In September 2023, Faletto allegedly committed multiple acts of sexual misconduct against a patient with additional incidents occurring at the patient's home in October 2023.
Texas: In October 2024 the Massage Therapy Program withdrew the charges against massage therapist Alonzo Michael Archer (MA61372245).
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and follow us on X (formerly Twitter). Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
###