For immediate release: December 22, 2023 (23-163)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Clark County
In November 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a cease-and-desist order to Gene Alan Loss. Loss must permanently cease and desist from practicing massage therapy in Washington state and pay a $5,000 fine. Between April 2021 and April 2022, Loss advertised and operated a sports massage business. Loss does not and has never held a massage therapy license in Washington.
Grant County
In September 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors withdrew the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against registered veterinary medication clerk Chase Kirk Sidwell (VM60981573).
Grays Harbor
In October 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Tammy Lee Thompson (NA61013071) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in February 2023, Thompson worked while her license was expired and cashed checks from patients for personal use.
In November 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission terminated the probation on the pharmacist license of Jack H. Jones (PH00007554).
King County
In October 2023 the Home Care Aide Program and Nursing Assistant Program charged home care aide and registered nursing assistant Agnes Muthoni Muriu (HM60926144, NA60900656) with unprofessional conduct. Muriu allegedly failed to report the disappearance of a retirement home resident and failed to continue to aid in the search for the resident. The resident was found the following morning outside the home and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services.
In October 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacist Zackary W. Beard (PH60028060) with unprofessional conduct. Between December 2021 and October 2022, Beard allegedly diverted oxycodone on multiple occasions.
In November 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Quamale Hakeem Daniels (NC61069521) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Daniels failed to comply with a 2021 stipulation to informal disposition and did not respond to inquiries about the non-compliance.
In November 2023 the Board of Physical Therapy charged physical therapist Dennis Labayo Chua (PT61289180) with unprofessional conduct. Chua voluntarily surrendered his physical therapy license in Alaska, effective January 2023, restricting his practice there.
In November 2023 Podiatric Medical Board charged podiatric physician and surgeon Brandon D. Nelson (PO60003506) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Nelson prescribed medication to patients and received money in return for directing the prescriptions to certain pharmacies.
In November 2023 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the behavioral health agency Sound Mental Health (FS60873324, FS60873327, FS60873329, FS60873333).
Pierce County
In October 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the home care aide license of Benjamin David Lugo (HM60542575).
In November 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) granted Melissa Ann Mcknight (RN61476679) a license to practice as a registered nurse with conditions on the license. Mcknight must participate in a monitoring program until the monitoring program determines participation is no longer necessary. In November 2020, Mcknight was convicted of reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor.
Spokane County
In October 2023 the Home Care Aide and Nursing Assistant Program charged home care aide and registered nursing assistant Nikita Dawn Gilbert (HM60891249, NA60753512) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2023, Gilbert allegedly failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding allegations of financial exploitation of a patient.
In October 2023 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Lynn A. Fraley (LH00007678) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2021 the State of Idaho revoked Fraley’s clinical professional counselor license because of improper billing practices, including billing when no clients were seen.
In October 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license application of Alfred Harry Sandham (CG61415462). In January 2023, Sandham entered a stipulation to informal disposition due to allegations of making sexual comments towards a patient. The agreement required Sandham to surrender his substance use disorder professional trainee license.
In November 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery withdrew the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against osteopathic physician and surgeon Jason Adam Dreyer (OP60323732).
Out of State
Idaho: In November 2023 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the midwife license of Sarah Marie Andrews (MW61378047).
New Mexico: In November 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of John Lance Galvin (RN00155631) with conditions on the license. Galvin must continue to comply with the monitoring program in which he is enrolled.
Texas: In November 2023 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission reprimanded dentist Sam Wise (DE60795714, CS61155979). Wise’s license is currently expired. Before applying to reactivate his license, Wise must take jurisprudence and ethics examinations and complete 32 hours of continuing education in the areas of ethics, infection control, and risk management. Wise practiced outside his scope of practice by prescribing drugs for his wife.
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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