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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Asotin County

In March 2025 the secretary of health denied Trisha Rae Gehring’s (HM61351956, PV61351979) applications for home care aide and provisional home care aide credentials. The decision followed a February 2024 report from the Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services (APS) involving multiple allegations. While APS found the allegations inconclusive, Gehring admitted to unprofessional conduct while working in a client’s home. The department requested a written response in June 2024, but was not received by January 2025.

King County

In April 2025 the secretary of health released registered nursing assistant Mary Njeri Ngotho (NA61371931) from the terms of a 2023 agreement and ended oversight of Ngotho’s compliance.

Kittitas County

In March 2025 the secretary of health revoked Sienna Daryll Jaramillo’s (HM61261724) credential to practice as a home care aide. In October 2023, while Jaramillo was working as a paid caregiver, transported a vulnerable adult while under the influence of alcohol. The Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services later determined the respondent had neglected the vulnerable adult. The finding became final in April 2024.

Lewis County

In October 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program and Courtney C. Pennypacker (NC60766512) entered an agreed order placing her certified nursing assistant license on probation with conditions. In 2021, Pennypacker used a gift card intended for a vulnerable adult to make personal purchases and later repaid the amount. She must pay a $250 fine, provide a copy of the order to all current and future health care employers, and ensure they submit quarterly performance evaluations to DOH. If unemployed, she must instead submit quarterly unemployment declarations.

Pierce County

In April 2025 the secretary of health charged massage therapist Michelle L. Gonzales (MA00011078). Gonzales failed to meet continuing education requirements for the 2024 renewal period and acknowledged noncompliance.

In February 2025 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission denied Courtney Rose Larsen’s (VB61585290) application for a pharmacy assistant credential. Larsen was convicted of gross misdemeanor theft in 2013 and again in 2018.

In April 2025 the secretary of health ended the probation on Kayla Rebecca Ann Staudt-Olivera’s (CG61226771) agency affiliated counselor license.

In April 2025 the secretary of health withdrew its statement of charges against registered nursing assistant Agnes Wambui Wanjiku (NA60206566).

Snohomish

In October 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged chiropractor Stephen R. Keehn (CH00001023) with unprofessional conduct. Between 2019 and 2022, Keehn allegedly made inappropriate comments and physical contact with multiple patients, including touching them without clinical justification and making sexual remarks during treatment.

Spokane County

In March 2025 the secretary of health lifted the revocation of Corey M. Bauer’s (RC00038238) registered counselor credential and changed its status to expired, as the profession is no longer active.