For immediate release: November 7, 2019 (19-128)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 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., 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’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.
King County
In October 2019 the secretary of health permanently revoked the registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner credentials of Justin Carl McClanahan (RN60091484, AP60423917). In 2018 McClanahan was convicted in California of five counts of lewd act on a child.
Pierce County
In October 2019 the secretary of health suspended for at least two years the registered nursing assistant credential of Martika Lashawn Whitaker (NA60818849). The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Whitaker financially exploited a vulnerable adult, and placed her on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. That bars her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In October 2019 the Nursing Commission suspended for at least seven years the licensed practical nurse credential of Fiyori Berhe Bahta (LP60311539). In 2019 Bahta was convicted of two counts of first-degree theft from a vulnerable adult, three counts of second-degree theft from a vulnerable adult, two counts of first-degree trafficking in stolen property, and one count of third-degree theft.
Out of State
California: In October 2019 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Marion Elaine Gamundoy (RN60746348), who in 2019 surrendered her California registered nurse license.
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