For immediate release: December 30, 2019 (19-142)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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., 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 “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.
Asotin County
In November 2019 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Gail A. Price (LH00008467) with unprofessional conduct. Price worked at an agency that receives 90 percent of its funding from Medicaid. Charges say she submitted false reimbursement forms that resulted in a loss to Medicaid of about $14,645.48. In 2018 she was convicted of first-degree theft, and of Medicaid false statement.
Clark County
In November 2019 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Brenda Q. Mills (MA60250697) with unprofessional conduct. Mills allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
Grays Harbor County
In November 2019 the secretary of health ordered Shannon Lynn Tech, also known as Shay Gibbons, to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and to pay a $1,000 fine. Tech advertised massage services online under the alias of Shay Gibbons, but has no massage therapist license.
Island County
In November 2019 the Nursing Commission placed licensed practical nurse Meri A. Basoco (LP00054157) on probation for at least 18 months. The nurse must complete continuing education in ethics and in critical thinking skills, and pass a jurisprudence course. Basoco must abide by employment restrictions. When Basoco learned a nursing home patient was unresponsive in his bed, she called 911. Basoco refused a 911 dispatcher’s request to go to the patient’s room.
In November 2019 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Yan Zixun that requires Zixun to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license, and to pay a $1,000 fine. Zixun has no massage therapist license, and owned two spa businesses where employees also had no massage therapist license.
King County
In October 2019 the secretary of health denied a mental health counselor associate credential to Jessica D. Bulgin (MC60869930) based on Bulgin’s actions as a chemical dependency professional trainee.
In November 2019 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of James Wayne Brown (RN60178778).
In November 2019 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian Camilo O. De Guzman (VT00001733) with unprofessional conduct. De Guzman allegedly didn’t conduct appropriate testing or provide appropriate treatment recommendations for a dog.
In November 2019 the Surgical Technologist Program charged surgical technologist Joshua Kennedy (ST60168312) with unprofessional conduct. Kennedy allegedly admitted injecting himself with narcotic medication at his workplace.
In November 2019 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant credential of Nythanya K. Sa (NC10072752). Sa’s license was suspended in 2010 after she allowed her children to live in patients’ home without their permission.
In November 2019 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Emily Duckum, doing business as Mastercare In-Home Services Inc., of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. The corporation allegedly operated as an in-home services agency despite having an expired license.
Kitsap County
In November 2019 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Dorothy Leibrant of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Leibrant allegedly has no credential to practice medicine, but admits to practicing colon hydrotherapy for about 13 years.
Lewis County
In November 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Jessica Anne Donyes (CO60783107).
Pierce County
In November 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Jamie Lynn Melendez (NC60019864) that requires her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2015 Melendez was convicted in Indiana of operating a vehicle while intoxicated; endangering a person. In 2017 Melendez was convicted in Indiana of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
In November 2019 the secretary of health ended probation for chemical dependency professional trainee Elizabeth Ann Clark (CO60635560).
In November 2019 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against agency-affiliated counselor Erika Guernsey, also known as Erika Creighton (CG60704676).
In November 2019 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against licensed mental health counselor and licensed mental health counselor associate Amanda Anna Boley (LH60429375, MC60174141).
In October 2019 the secretary of health denied a massage therapist credential to Hongyan Mo (MA60990575). On her application, Mo asserted that she’d never had action taken against a health care credential. Her Oregon massage license was revoked in 2017.
Skagit County
In November 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Ankur Taron Sanghvi (CG60729616).
Snohomish County
In November 2019 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Erika Beatriz Hassan (RN60670390).
In November 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Khaddy Fatajo (NA00142366) and certified nursing assistant Khaddy F. Janneh (NC60143356) with unprofessional conduct. The nursing assistant allegedly used both true and false information to get registered and certified nursing assistant credentials, and used two identities to get medical assistance benefits for which she was ineligible.
In November 2019 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Michaela Larsen (MA60280158) with unprofessional conduct. Larsen allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
In November 2019 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistant Paul Benjamin Roque (VA60617066, VB60537178) with unprofessional conduct. Roque allegedly admitted diverting controlled substances for his own use.
In December 2019 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Dennis Steven Mann (OP00000949) with unprofessional conduct. Mann’s treatment of four patients allegedly fell below the standard of care in a number of areas, including some related to opiates. One patient died from combined drug effects, according to charges.
Spokane County
In November 2019 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Kimberly Wright Hamilton (RN60772386) that requires her to comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Hamilton didn’t comply with a previous substance abuse monitoring contract.
Thurston County
In November 2019 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Kristopher Andrew Fehlig (NA00178499) with unprofessional conduct. Fehlig allegedly didn’t make an appointment for an examination he was directed to undergo when he sought to activate his expired credential.
Whatcom County
In November 2019 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian Erin Vonderahe-Hargrove (VT60123457) with unprofessional conduct. The veterinarian allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
Yakima County
In November 2019 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Lesli Lynn Farnsworth (RN00103020) and placed her on probation for at least 36 months. Farnsworth must complete a refresher course, and receive treatment from a psychiatric professional. Farnsworth’s license was suspended in 2015 in connection with health issues.
Out of State
California: In November 2019 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Christopher Charles Field (RN60970572). Between 1997 and 2018, Field was convicted or received diversion in California on eight criminal offenses. Field didn’t undergo a required substance use evaluation.
Florida: In November 2019 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Gabriel Richard Harrison (RN60234188) with unprofessional conduct. In 2018 Harrison pleaded guilty in Florida to five counts of felony possession of child pornography.
Idaho: In November 2019 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist John Damon Steiner (PH60477704) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Steiner’s Idaho pharmacist license was revoked in 2018 in connection with allegations that he was caught stealing a controlled substance from the hospital where he worked.
Oregon: In November 2019 the Substance Use Disorder Professional and Agency-Affiliated Counselor programs charged substance use disorder professional and agency-affiliated counselor Nounouche Qu’Appelle Chorley (CP00006130, CG60455830) with unprofessional conduct. Chorley allegedly had a sexual relationship with a client.
Oregon: In November 2019 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Laura Faye Dunn (RN60027850) and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Dunn’s license was suspended in 2014 after her Oregon nurse license was revoked in connection with drug-related issues, perjury, and endangering the welfare of a minor.
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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