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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Chelan County

In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) withdrew the statement of charges issued in August 2023 against registered nurse John A. Minerich (RN00166574).

In August 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Taylor Michelle Sanford (CG61417112). In March 2020, Sanford was convicted of third-degree theft, third-degree possession of stolen property, and making false or misleading statements to a public servant, all gross misdemeanors.

Clark County

In September 2023 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged Harley Orville Youngblood (CH00003002) with unprofessional conduct. Youngblood allegedly touched a patient in a sexual manner during multiple treatment sessions.

In October 2023 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission released John Anthony Lewis (CH00002998) from the terms and conditions on his chiropractor license.

Grays Harbor County

In August 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacist Victoria Lynn Walsh (PH00050857) with unprofessional conduct. In June 2022, Walsh allegedly admitted, after being observed as incoherent at work, to diverting alprazolam to self-medicate and occasionally having a drink at lunch.

Jefferson County

In October 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors amended the charges of unprofessional conduct against veterinary technician Sara Ruth Penhallegon (AT60337137). The amendment included that Penhallegon allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care by failing to protect the patient’s airway while inducing anesthesia and failing to properly document aspects of the treatment and assessments.

King County

In October 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a cease-and-desist order to Giovanni Siano. Siano must cease and desist from all practice of massage therapy in Washington and pay a $1,000 fine.

In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Bruce Everett Beauchamp (RN60585595) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that on two occasions in January 2022, Beauchamp allegedly administered incorrect dosages of medication to a minor patient and failed to report the medication errors to his supervisor.

In October 2023 the secretary of health released Bobbie Denise Catton (CG60131664, CP60074797, LH61220629, MC60210787) from the terms and conditions on her substance use disorder professional, agency affiliated counselor, mental health counselor associate, and mental health counselor licenses.

In October 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Christina Sullivan entered an agreed order in which Sullivan must cease and desist from all practice of a veterinary technician in Washington. Sullivan must pay a fine of $500.

Kitsap County

In September 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Beverly Michelle Johnson (RN60657980) with conditions on the license. Johnson must continue to comply with a monitoring program and with the psychiatric treatment and mental health counseling as recommended in her psychological evaluation.

In October 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery released Beno M. Kuharich (OP60164791) from the terms and conditions on his osteopathic physician and surgeon license.

Pierce County

In September 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Adriene B. Casteele (CG60294676) with unprofessional conduct. Between October 2020 and February 2022, charges state that Casteele provided services to patients and staff without an active license and provided treatment to domestic violence perpetrators in which her actions fell below the standard of care. Casteele and her company failed to correct errors in multiple compliance letters to the courts.

In September 2023 the Counselor Programs charged marriage and family therapist, mental health counselor, and substance use disorder professional John L. Casteele (CP00002471, LH00006610, LF00001490) with unprofessional conduct. From October 2020 through 2021, Casteele, the administrator of his behavior health clinic, allegedly failed to properly supervise operations and staff, which created an unreasonable risk of harm to patients, domestic violence victims, and the public. Charges state that Casteele allowed unlicensed staff to provide treatment, instructed staff to falsify reports, and failed to ensure the substance use disorder program regulations were met.

Snohomish County

In October 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Jay Cho (AC60997070) of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Between September 2022 and June 2023, Cho allegedly worked with a university’s acupuncture program as teaching staff and saw acupuncture patients under the supervision of his spouse even though he does not hold an acupuncturist or acupuncture and eastern medicine license.

Spokane County

In September 2023 the secretary of health granted Nicole Jean Fleeman (CG61454145) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least three years, during which time Fleeman must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In January 2021, Fleeman was convicted of criminal conspiracy, a felony.

In August 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Joshua Edward Leach (CG61444655). In August 2020 and in July 2016, Leach was convicted of third-degree retail theft – extenuating circumstances, a class C felony, and third-degree theft in August 2020, a gross misdemeanor. Leach was convicted of first-degree criminal trespass in November 2019 and obstructing law enforcement in July 2018, both gross misdemeanors.

In September 2023 the secretary of health withdrew the notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order against Patty Soots.

In October 2023 the Mental Health Counselor Program withdrew the charges against licensed mental health counselor Katherine Marie Jessop (LH60090942).