For immediate release: November 21, 2017 (17-163)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State disciplines health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” 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 November 2017 the secretary of health vacated an order denying a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Roxanne Rae Mathis (CO60757864) and conditionally granted the credential. Mathis must participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Between 2009 and 2014, Mathis was convicted of four felonies, two gross misdemeanors, and one Class A tribal offense.
Clark County
In July 2017 the secretary of health denied an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Jay Patrick Leatherman (CG60759634). In 2015 Leatherman was convicted of driving under the influence, third-degree assault – domestic violence, unlawful imprisonment, and violating a court order – domestic violence.
Cowlitz County
In November 2017 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage practitioner Amanda R. Docksteader (MA00023855) with unprofessional conduct. Docksteader allegedly provided massage services while her credential was expired.
Franklin County
In November 2017 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Alex B. Najera (MD00025470) that fines him $2,500 and places conditions on his practice. Najera violated standards of care in prescribing opioid medications to four patients. He didn’t perform or document examinations to adequately explain reported pain, and didn’t identify specific diagnoses to justify opioid use at prescribed levels. The physician provided ineffective treatment, didn’t fully comply with pain management rules, and didn’t adhere to other standards.
King County
In November 2017 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Tiffany Garner (CM60378987) with unprofessional conduct. Garner allegedly used falsified prescriptions to divert controlled substances from the hospital where she worked.
In November 2017 the secretary of health denied a chemical dependency professional trainee credential to Chase Bliss Colasurdo (CO60768187). In 2015 and again in 2016 Colasurdo was convicted of two counts of fourth-degree assault.
In November 2017 the Medical Commission withdrew a statement of charges against physician Thomas J. Smith (MD00016322).
In November 2017 the Massage Therapist Program entered an agreement with massage therapist Amanda M. Carter (MA60503968) that reinstates her credential and requires her to continue to comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Carter’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t abide by a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
In November 2017 the Dental Commission withdrew a statement of charges against dentist Joseph W. Thurston (DE00004460).
In November 2017 the Medical Commission ended probation for physician Kenneth Hong (MD00016461).
In November 2017 the Dental Commission charged dentist Joseph R. Zimmer (DE00006267) with unprofessional conduct. Zimmer allegedly improperly placed an implant in a patient’s upper jaw. Charges say he didn’t respond to an investigator’s inquiry.
Kitsap County
In November 2017 the secretary of health ended conditions on the credential of chemical dependency professional trainee Shaydon Casey Childers (CO60663548).
In November 2017 the Chiropractic Commission placed chiropractor Ryan B. Macedo (CH60109615) on probation for at least three years and fined him $10,000, but stayed the fine. The chiropractor must complete continuing education in radiographic quality, documentation and recordkeeping, and ethics, and pass a jurisprudence exam. Macedo didn’t comply with a 2015 stipulation requiring him to practice under the mentorship of another chiropractor, and didn’t respond in a timely fashion to requests for three patients’ treatment records.
In November 2017 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Kelly Elizabeth Marvel (CM60370187) with unprofessional conduct. Marvel allegedly forged controlled substance prescriptions for her own use. In 2017 she was charged with obtaining a controlled substance by fraud or forged prescription.
Lincoln County
In October 2017 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the dental assistant credential of Megan Rebecca Schlimmer, also known as Megan R. Clark (D160298272).
Mason County
In November 2017 the secretary of health upheld a decision to deny a home care aide credential to Debra Lynne McFadden (HM60716874). In 2014 McFadden was convicted of unlawful solicitation to possess a controlled substance – methamphetamine.
Pierce County
In October 2017 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the dentist credential of Cynthia A. Jones (DE00006640).
In November 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Nikeya Kirby (NC10064067) with unprofessional conduct. Kirby allegedly tested positive for amphetamine and methamphetamine, substances for which she had no valid prescription.
In November 2017 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Sonja Denise H. Yarborough (RN00098028) with unprofessional conduct. The nurse allegedly didn’t abide by requirements to submit performance reports and to complete continuing education.
In November 2017 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nurse credential of Barbara Lynn Millman (RN60235507) and placed her on probation for at least 18 months. The nurse must comply with certain employment conditions and complete continuing education in ethics. Millman’s license was suspended in 2017 after she took home medication from the facility where she worked.
Skagit County
In November 2017 the Dental Commission charged dentist Brandon L. Atkinson (DE00008472) with unprofessional conduct. Atkinson allegedly provided substandard care to a patient on whom he performed a root canal.
Snohomish County
In November 2017 the Naturopathy Board filed an amended statement of charges against naturopathic physician Suzanne E. Way (NT00000704) to include information about evaluation and treatment of a mental health condition.
Whatcom County
In November 2017 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Monica L. Uruchurtu that requires her to cease and desist from practicing animal massage without a license, and to pay a $500 fine. Uruchurtu performed animal massage without a license.
Out of State
Arizona: In November 2017 the Medical Commission conditionally granted the application of E. Franklin Livingstone (MD00019551) to reactivate his expired physician credential. Livingstone must comply with terms of probation on his Arizona medical license imposed in connection with inappropriate comments and hugging of a female patient. The physician must also have a female chaperone present while treating female patients.
California: In November 2017 the Medical Commission withdrew a statement of charges against physician Tariq Ahmed (MD00030967).
California: In November 2017 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Maureen Ohora Ahearn (RN60363314).
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.
The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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