State disciplines health care providers

For immediate release: December 13, 2023   (23-160)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

King County

In November 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Miryah Lynn Petroff (RN00173873) with unprofessional conduct. In September 2023, Petroff allegedly failed to comply with a 2021 monitoring contract due to lack of program participation and a missed test.

In November 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation on the medical assistant-phlebotomist license of Uma Mae Stensen (PC60378788).

In November 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Jennifer Elizabeth Hansen (CO61157537).

In October 2023 the secretary of health denied the home care aide license application of Jordan Terrell Roby (HM61216025). In June 2023, Roby was placed on the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services list as a person who is disqualified from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children. Roby’s placement on this list prohibits him from being certified as a home care aide. In March 2022, Roby financially exploited a vulnerable adult.

In October 2023 the secretary of health denied the home care aide license application of Alba Yesenia Marquez (HM61006542). In March 2023, Marquez was placed on the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services list as a person who is disqualified from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children. Marquez’s placement on this list prohibits her from being certified as a home care aide. Between March and August 2021, Marquez financially exploited a vulnerable adult.

Okanogan County

In October 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license application of Jerry Robert Anderson (VB61464792). In February 2020, Anderson was convicted of second-degree possessing depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, a class B felony.

Pierce County

In November 2023 the secretary of health released Amanda Louise Carrell (CO61279480) from the conditions on her substance use disorder professional trainee license.

In November 2023 the secretary of health granted Ian B. Lawson (MC61426454) a license to practice as a mental health counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least five years, during which time an approved professional must supervise Lawson’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. During the probationary period, some of Lawson’s counseling patient records will be audited on an unannounced basis up to three times per year. Lawson must also continue to comply with conditions in the 2021 and 2022 stipulations. In both 2021 and 2022, the Washington Medical Commission entered a stipulation to informal disposition regarding Lawson’s physician license.

In November 2023 the secretary of health granted Shamyka Shante-Devone Sutton (CO61398536) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. Sutton may not conduct forensic evaluations until she completes six hours of continuing education in the areas of effective communication and clarify and ethics regarding forensic versus clinical roles. Sutton must also complete an ethics and boundaries assessment and reimburse the board $1,000. In August 2023, Sutton entered a stipulation of informal disposition which placed conditions and a restriction on her psychologist credential.

San Juan County

In November 2023 the secretary of health released Anna Noel Vaught (LW61055975) from the conditions on her independent clinical social worker license.

Skagit County

In November 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors released Laura Lizann Dubcak (VM61270419) from terms and conditions on her veterinary medication clerk license.

In November 2023 the Podiatric Medical Board charged podiatric physician and surgeon Michael B. Riojas (PO00000735) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Riojas prescribed medication to patients and in return received money in return for directing the prescriptions to certain pharmacies.

Snohomish County

In November 2023 the secretary of health withdrew the notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order against Asya Sami.

In November 2023 the secretary of health granted Jodi Lyn Strittmatter (LH61479885) a license to practice as a mental health counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation until at least April 7, 2024, during which time an approved professional must supervise Strittmatter’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Additionally, Strittmatter must allow unannounced audits of her patient records up to two times per year for compliance with the sexual misconduct notification requirements. In April 2021, Strittmatter entered an agreed order that put her mental health counselor license on probation for three years. Strittmatter admitted having a romantic relationship and sexual contact with a patient.

In November 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors released Robert Jeffrey Mayo (VT00004785) from terms and conditions on his veterinarian license.

Thurston County

In November 2023 the secretary of health released Michael Robert Malley (RT60111099) from the conditions on his radiologic technologist license.

Yakima County

In November 2023 the secretary of health granted Bryan Howard Foster (CO61488986) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least 18 months, during which time an approved professional must supervise Foster’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In March 2022, Foster was convicted of felony violation of court order – domestic violence, a class C felony.

In November 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Michael Anthony Molina (CO60432291).

Out of State

Oregon: In October 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license application of Jessica Noelani Auweloa (VB61365117). In February 2021, Auweloa’s Oregon pharmacy technician license was revoked after she stole oxycodone from her place of employment.

Pennsylvania: In November 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) released Nathaniel David Swift-Erslev (RN60832241) from the terms and conditions on his registered nurse license.

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.

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