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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Clallam County

In January 2024 the secretary of health granted Jessica Mari Dougherty (CG61389681) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for two years, during which time Dougherty must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In July 2019, Dougherty was convicted of two counts of first-degree trafficking in stolen property, a class B felony, and four counts of third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor.

In February 2024 the secretary of health and Stanley Joseph Atkins (CG60330901, CP60345498, LW61175792) entered an agreed order on his agency affiliated counselor, substance use disorder professional, and independent clinical social worker licenses. The licenses are on probation for at least 18 months, during which time Atkins’s supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Atkins must also complete a professional boundaries course and nine hours of continuing education in the areas of professional boundaries and sexual harassment. Additionally, Atkins must pay a $1,000 fine. In April 2022, Atkins was terminated from his employment for unlawful sexual harassment in the workplace and unprofessional conduct including sending explicit text messages and sexual images to two coworkers.

Clark County

In February 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission released Troy Michael Dreiling (CH00003052) from the terms and conditions on his chiropractor license.

Cowlitz County

In February 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Christopher James Smith (NC60365769) with unprofessional conduct. In July 2022, Smith allegedly tested positive for methamphetamines, methadone, and fentanyl on a drug test submitted to his employer.

In February 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission and Anik J. St. Martin (CH00033965) agreed to placing her chiropractor license on monitoring. St. Martin must submit a written report on adhering to state law, pass a jurisprudence examination, and pay a $5,000 fine. Martin owns a clinic where, in 2021 and 2022, staff failed to comply with COVID-19 masking requirements.

Franklin County

In February 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission and Joshua Alden Wright (VB60906937, VA61104618) entered an agreed order on his pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistant license. Wright’s pharmacy assistant license is expired while his pharmacy technician license is on probation until his monitoring contract has been completed. In December 2022, Wright admitted to being impaired by alcohol at work.

King County

In February 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission released Sharon Louise Carlson (D160030197) from the terms and conditions on her dental assistant license.

In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Scott Eric Hansen (RN60541982, AP60541983) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between 2017 and 2022, Hansen’s treatment and prescribing practices for two patients fell below the standard of care in various ways including prescribing controlled substances or other medications without appropriate assessment and testing, and prescribing medications without documenting a rationale for the prescriptions. Between 2021 and 2022, Hansen also allegedly prescribed controlled substances to himself.

Kitsap County

In February 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the massage therapist license of Jack Hamilton Ballard (MA60473288).