State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

For immediate release: December 29, 2016   (16-147)

Contact:  Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office  360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service  360-236-4700

State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

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’s website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health home page (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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant and Home Care Aide programs entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant, certified nursing assistant and home care aide Leah Lynnette Cornelius (NA60317313, NC60582158, HM60394713) that suspends her credentials for at least one year. Cornelius took $4,000 from a patient who couldn’t care for himself. She agreed to repay the money, but didn’t. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Cornelius financially exploited a vulnerable adult and cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In September 2016 the Medical Commission permanently revoked the credential of physician Geoffrey S. Ames (MD00026961), who had a romantic and sexual relationship with a patient. He employed and made business plans with the patient, didn’t properly treat the patient, impeded the patient’s opportunity to receive appropriate care elsewhere, and caused unreasonable harm to the patient. Ames didn’t cooperate with the commission’s investigation and intentionally misrepresented facts about the situation. Ames provided substandard care to a second patient and also didn’t cooperate with that investigation.

Chelan County

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Carol Denise Whaley (RN00117199), who didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Clark County

In October 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Eric Nolan Johnson (CG60488388). Johnson took a client to a nude beach, where he was nude in front of the client, made explicit sexual comments, and inappropriately touched the client.

Grays Harbor County

In September 2016 the Counselor Program suspended the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Laurie L. Hahn (CG60152520) for at least two years. Hahn first denied and then admitted smoking marijuana with a client, and selling marijuana to the client.

King County

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Louise D. Brunner (NC60252823) that indefinitely suspends her credential. Brunner didn’t respond to an order to undergo a mental examination.

In September 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Dominika Jowita Frackowiak (RN60461872) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. In 2016 her Colorado nursing license was suspended in connection with diverting controlled substances.

In September 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Elizabeth Mullen Bennett (CG60621956), who didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.

In October 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Sierra Denise Langford (NA60396016). In 2014 Langford was convicted of fourth-degree assault – domestic violence.

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Benjamin G. Phipps (NC60551255) under which he surrendered his credential. While working at a residential care facility for developmentally disabled adults, Phipps touched a resident inappropriately and tried to climb into the resident’s bed.

Kitsap County

In September 2016 the Psychology Board entered an agreement with psychologist Daniel Fry (PY00002234) under which he permanently surrendered his credential. In group therapy sessions, Fry blurred boundaries between participant, facilitator and therapist roles. He used inappropriate behavior and comments to female clients, and reframed therapy in a way that contributed to marital discord and interfered with the therapy’s purpose. Fry called a client at home who tried to end therapy and left messages inviting her back, and delayed providing records to clients.

Pierce County

In September 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Nancy L. Mathews (NA00080222), at the same time denying her application to reactivate her credential. Mathews didn’t fully comply with requirements regarding a mental examination.

In September 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Matthew L. Langford (NC10077702). In 2016 the state Department of Social and Health Services determined Langford had financially exploited a vulnerable adult and cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In September 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Michael Shane Marshall (CO60454499), who admitted using methamphetamine and alcohol.

In October 2016 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the licensed practical nurse credential of Jessica J. Pampalos (LP00044056), who didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

Snohomish County

In September 2016 the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program entered an agreement with respiratory care practitioner Jennifer King Anderson (LR60172128) that suspends her credential for at least six months. Anderson treated a patient through means she didn’t know how to provide, and did so incorrectly. The patient died.

In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Barna M. Mucsi (NA00096782) for one year. In 2015 Mucsi pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault – domestic violence.

In October 2016 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Maile Lyn Leavitt (NC10086080) for at least two years. Leavitt took and consumed narcotics that belonged to a resident of an assisted living facility where she worked.