For immediate release: December 18, 2020 (20-254)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “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.
Benton County
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied a medical assistant phlebotomist credential to Angel Esteban Cabrera (PC61025693). In 2018 Cabrera was convicted of driving under the influence, and received deferred prosecution on charges of driving under the influence and ignition interlock violation. Cabrera didn’t supply proof of having undergone a required substance use evaluation.
Clallam County
In October 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against certified nursing assistant and registered nursing assistant Jessica Renee Nikkel (NC60921393, NA60890704) to reflect that the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services substantiated allegations that the nursing assistant financially exploited a vulnerable adult.
Clark County
In October 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Lucy Kendall (NA60835862) with unprofessional conduct. Kendall allegedly performed injections of psychiatric medications, which isn’t within a nursing assistant’s scope of practice.
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Ellen Andromeda McCall (NA61061444). In 2017 and again in 2019 McCall was convicted of driving under the influence.
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Melissa D. Boyd (CG60835968). Boyd, who from 2006 to 2016 was convicted of two felonies and six gross misdemeanors, didn’t supply proof of having undergone a required substance use evaluation.
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Nicolina Marie Balabon (CG61081859), who in 2016 was convicted of first-degree theft and second-degree identity theft.
Douglas County
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Rachael Ann Wandling (NA61069417), who didn’t supply proof of having undergone a required mental health examination.
Grays Harbor County
In October 2020 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Ryan D. Donahue (PY00003754) with unprofessional conduct. An audit allegedly showed significant deficiencies in the psychologist’s clinical documentation, along with missing documentation.
Island County
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Constance Hagemeyer (RN00106677) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Hagemeyer voluntarily surrendered her Oregon nurse license, charges say, in connection with failing to meet narcotics administration standards.
King County
In October 2020 the Medical Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the medical assistant-phlebotomist credential of Uma Mae Stensen (PC60378788) and placed her on probation for at least three years. Stensen’s license was suspended in 2018 in connection with providing false information about her education and qualifications.
In October 2020 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the dentist credential of Sukhminder Buttar (DE00010282).
In October 2020 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacy technician Connie Hy Taylor (VA00041354) that requires Taylor to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Taylor appeared to be under the influence of alcohol while working at a pharmacy.
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Dennis Martin Bellett (RN60853637).
In October 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Andrew Young (DE60114186) with unprofessional conduct. The dentist allegedly wrote at least a dozen narcotic pain medication prescriptions for eight different patients, but filled and kept the prescriptions for his own use. Young allegedly kept deficient chart notes for pain medication prescriptions.
In October 2020 the Dental Commission filed an amended statement of charges against dentist Lance B. Timmerman (DE00008229) to add allegations that the dentist didn’t supply a health care investigator with patient records as required by a stipulation.
In October 2020 the Physical Therapy Board charged physical therapist Jin Dawa (PT00010666) with unprofessional conduct. The physical therapist allegedly had a dating and sexual relationship with a former patient.
In October 2020 the Osteopathic Board charged osteopathic physician Stephen Michael O’Connell (OP60194659) with unprofessional conduct. O’Connell allegedly violated a stipulation by relapsing on alcohol, and by submitting an invalid biological fluid test.
Mason County
In October 2020 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Shannon Marie Woodhead (D160037201) with unprofessional conduct. Woodhead allegedly didn’t comply with a requirement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Megan Nicole Bramlette (LP60495467) with unprofessional conduct. Bramlette allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Pierce County
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Justin Lee Dworschak (LP60304671) with unprofessional conduct. Dworschak allegedly charted performing a dressing change but didn’t change the dressing.
In October 2020 the Independent Clinical Social Worker and Sex Offender Treatment Provider Affiliate programs charged independent clinical social worker and affiliate sex offender treatment provider James Tyrone Williams (LW00009637, AF60688058) with unprofessional conduct. Williams allegedly gave a client about $2,400, and then claimed the client’s two dependent children on his 2015 tax returns as repayment.
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Tauna La Rayne Dolphin (RN00102983) with unprofessional conduct. Dolphin allegedly underwent testing after appearing to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol upon arriving for work.
Snohomish County
In October 2020 the Denturists Board withdrew a statement of charges against denturist Svetlana Leonidovna Hinkle (DN60406207).
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Elizabeth Cerdena Clausen (LP00039972) with unprofessional conduct. Clausen allegedly didn’t comply with probationary terms involving performance evaluations and unemployment declarations.
Spokane County
In September 2020 the secretary of health denied substance use disorder professional trainee and agency-affiliated counselor credentials to Jordan Matthew Biltoft (CO61036526, CG61036663). In 2017 Biltoft was convicted of third-degree theft, first-degree theft, and two counts of third-degree assault.
In October 2020 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Maureen Ann Patrick that requires her to cease and desist from practicing reflexology without a license, and to pay a $400 fine. Patrick represented herself as a reflexologist and practiced reflexology, but had no reflexology license.
In October 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Jennifer Denise Emmett (NC60218799) with unprofessional conduct. Emmett allegedly charged about $122 on a client’s credit card to renew her own license, and borrowed about $40 from the client to pay for gas.
In October 2020 the Substance Use Disorder Professional and Counselor programs charged substance use disorder professional trainee, substance use disorder professional, and agency-affiliated counselor Cory L. Bromley (CO60632489, CP60835848, CG60723761) with unprofessional conduct. Bromley allegedly didn’t comply with a requirement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.
In October 2020 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional Trisha Anne Lykins (CP60578326) with unprofessional conduct. Lykins allegedly didn’t comply with a requirement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.
Thurston County
In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Alysha A. Parker (RN00161244) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a health and rehabilitation center, Parker allegedly at least eight times didn’t properly document or account for a controlled substance.
In October 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Diana Iola Creamer (NC60843224) with unprofessional conduct. In 2020 Creamer was convicted of violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act – possession of hydrocodone.
In October 2020 the Occupational Therapy Practice Board charged occupational therapy assistant Patricia Justine Bishop (OC60368664) with unprofessional conduct. Bishop allegedly didn’t comply with a stipulation requiring her to submit performance evaluations and unemployment declarations, and to complete continuing education in ethics.
Out of State
California: In October 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Floyd R. Clendenen (RN00088056) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a facility that provides mental health and addiction services, the nurse allegedly left two patients alone with a knife to cut meat for a party. Charges say both patients had been brought to the facility after attempting or threatening to harm themselves. Clendenen allegedly brought glass bottles and aluminum cans to a unit where they weren’t allowed.
Oklahoma: In September 2020 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Rebecca Rechelle Moore (RN61068372), who didn’t supply proof of having undergone a required substance use evaluation.
Oregon: In October 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse credential of Steven Duane Nelson (LP60925953).
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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