For immediate release: January 21, 2025 (25-014)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 2024 the Board of Nursing reinstated the licensed practical nurse license of Cory Churner-Tisdale (LP61005435) with conditions on the license. Churner-Tisdale must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program.
Grant County
In December 2024 the Board of Nursing charged registered nurse Candace Anne Stephens (RN60878268) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in June 2023, Stephens removed multiple doses of oxycodone for several patients without documenting the administration or waste of the medication. Stephens did not respond to the Board’s request for a written response during the investigation.
King County
In December 2024 the Board of Nursing charged registered nurse John David Gaskins (RN61435472) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in November 2023, the Missouri Board of Nursing issued a cease-and-desist order against Gaskins’s multistate privilege to practice in Missouri based on allegations including failure to conform to nursing standards and intentionally or negligently causing physical or emotional harm to a patient. Gaskins application for a Washington multistate license was denied.
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing charged registered nurse Alicia Kay Sorenson (RN60781540) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in October 2023, Sorenson was convicted of DUI in Skagit County District Court.
Lewis County
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing charged registered nurse Michelle Denise Gilreath (RN00138090) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2024, Gilreath allegedly was observed to be impaired during her nursing shift. In July 2024 during a facility orientation, Gilreath allegedly exhibited erratic behavior, was later contacted by police, admitted to taking hydrocodone, and was arrested for DUI.
Pierce County
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing placed the registered nurse license of Peter Meric Atanasoff (RN60844697) on probation for at least 18 months subject to terms and conditions. Atanasoff must undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with treatment or follow-up care recommendations. In October 2022, Atanasoff reused a needle to redraw from a multi-dose vial and inject the same patient a second time with the same needle. In December 2024, Atanasoff administered methadone to the wrong patient who spit it out and the medication was then administered to the correct patient.
In October 2024 the Board of Nursing released Andrea Lyn Dumon (RN60895786) from the terms and conditions on her registered nurse license.
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing terminated the probation on the advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse licenses of Scott Allen Jahner (AP60684723-NP, RN60684722).
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing terminated the probation on the licensed practical nurse license of Michael Angelo Vidal (LP61041061).
Snohomish County
In November 2024 the Board of Nursing released Brenda Elaine Benjamin (RN00106408) from the terms and conditions on her registered nurse license.
Out of State
Alaska: In November 2024 the Board of Nursing released Justin Alan Frechette (RN60662219) from the terms and conditions on his registered nurse license.
Florida: In November 2024 the Board of Nursing and Jennifer P. Calderin (RN61141659) entered an agreed order on her registered nurse license. Calderin must undergo quarterly hair test drug screening for 12 months. In February 2022, Calderin submitted to substance use testing for her employer which produced a positive result for cocaine.
Georgia: In December 2024 the Board of Nursing charged the licensed practical nurse license of Shawntea G. Hamilton (LP61033790) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in May 2024, Hamilton was convicted of second-degree manslaughter – domestic violence in Snohomish County Superior Court.
Louisiana: In November 2024 the Board of Nursing granted Celito Hartman (LP61576848) a license to practice as a licensed practical nurse with conditions. The license is on probation for at least 12 months subject to terms and conditions. In February 2024, the Louisiana State Board of Practical Nurse Examiners placed Hartman’s license on probation for a minimum of one year based on a finding that Hartman failed to conduct routine rounds on a resident during his shift.
New York: In November 2024 the Board of Nursing granted Katelyn Elizabeth Zielinski (RN61540346) a license to practice as a registered nurse with conditions. The license is on probation for at least 12 months subject to terms and conditions. In December 2023, the New York State Board of Nursing suspended Zielinski's registered nurse license for two years, with 23 months stayed, and the license placed on probation for two years.
Pennsylvania: In November 2024 the Board of Nursing released Katherine E. Hessenthaler (RN60462734) from the terms and conditions on her 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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