For immediate release: October 31, 2016 (16-125)
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 Massage Program revoked the massage practitioner credential of Xia Wang (MA60371804), who received the license even though her exam score was invalid.
Clallam County
In August 2016 the secretary of health suspended the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Colette Rapp (CO60282499) for at least five years. In 2015 Rapp pleaded guilty to second-degree theft. In 2016 Rapp pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance – methamphetamine, and bail jumping on felony and misdemeanor charges.
Clark County
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Cybil Paige Brown (NC60279067) that suspends her credential for at least three years. Brown admitted stealing more than $200 from an elderly, legally blind resident of a senior living facility where she worked.
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant Rigoberto Prieto-Lozano (NA60250868) that suspends his credential for at least one year. He didn’t show up for duty at a residential care facility.
King County
In September 2016 the Occupational Therapy Board charged occupational therapist Traci L. Trygg (OT00003518) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. Trygg’s license was suspended after the board learned that the state Department of Social and Health Services found Trygg financially exploited a vulnerable adult and cannot be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In August 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Virginia Anne Lord (CG60594669), who didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
In August 2016 the Massage Program suspended the massage practitioner credential of Amber Guy (MA00021146) for at least five years. Guy had a sexual relationship with a client. She also solicited financial assistance from the client, including a false income verification, title transfer to a vehicle, tuition and living expenses, and money.
Mason County
In August 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified medical assistant credential of Michelle Christina Seligbon (CM60373120). Seligbon presented herself as a cancer patient to her primary care physician using forged documents and received prescriptions for narcotic pain medication under false pretenses.
Pierce County
In September 2016 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse credential of Amy J. Thaves (RN00134256) for at least two years. Thaves didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring program.
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Zaldy DeVera Frago (NA60279244, NC60506600) that suspends his credentials for at least one year. Frago hit a resident of a psychiatric hospital where he worked, and used his foot to keep the resident on the floor.
In September 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional credentials of Tena Kristal Bremmeyer (CO60153438, CP60346069), who admitted using methamphetamine and relapsed on her use of alcohol.
Skagit County
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant Jose M. Orozco, also known as Jose M. Orozco-Guzman (NA60263763) permanently revoking his credential. In 2016 Orozco was convicted of three counts of first-degree child molestation – domestic violence.
Snohomish County
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with registered nursing assistant Hannah Tjepkes (NA60605382) that suspends her license for at least five years. Tjepkes had ongoing, sexual contact with a resident of a long-term care facility where she worked. The resident tried to end the relationship when Tjepkes threatened to limit the resident’s care. Tjepkes also borrowed about $200 from the resident.
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Kenneth Kensinger (NC10013240) that indefinitely suspends his credential. Kensinger didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Spokane County
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tallon Dane Miller (NC60279350) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. After finding that Miller financially exploited a vulnerable adult, the state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow him to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In September 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jeanette F. Pringle (NA00020633) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. After finding that Pringle neglected a vulnerable adult, the state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow her to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Stevens County
In September 2016 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Rebecca Alice Clausen (NA60047483) for at least two years. Clausen effectively stole or diverted medication from one patient and prescribed or distributed it to another patient, and then pressured a staff member not to disclose the incident.
Thurston County
In September 2016 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Brittany M. Eddy (NC60110773) for at least two years. A client paid more than $40,000 for a car for Eddy, but Eddy didn’t abide by an agreement to repay the client or to return the car. Eddy also accepted more than $4,500 from the client.
Walla Walla County
In September 2016 the secretary of health revoked the home care agency license of Compassionate Care Inc. (FS60557286), owned by Debra Hill and Melvin Cash for 10 years. Compassionate Care Inc. provided services to patients outside the approved scope of a home care agency license. It received payments from the Veterans Administration (VA) for services it wasn’t licensed to provide. Hill listed herself on VA forms as a licensed registered nurse. Hill isn’t licensed as a registered nurse in Washington, and Compassionate Care Inc. had no registered nurse on staff or available for consultation. The company didn’t properly train staff members in infection control, food handling, and mandatory reporting. They didn’t obtain a required food handler card, didn’t complete background checks on some staff members, and violated other requirements for in-home service agencies.
Whatcom County
In September 2016 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse credential of Marilee Joann Mellon (RN00110431) for at least one year. Mellon didn’t effectively intervene or report potentially abusive behavior at the convalescent center where she worked.
Out of State
Florida: In September 2016 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Benjamin D. Stewart (RN00177048), who didn’t abide by an agreement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
Idaho: In September 2016 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Gregory Charles Dilsaver (PY60169466) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. In 2016 Dilsaver’s Idaho psychologist credential was revoked.
Missouri: In September 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Carrie Lynn Vest (RN00176628) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. Vest’s Alaska nursing license was revoked in 2016.
Nevada: In August 2016 the Dental Commission charged dentist Lyle Scott Brooksby (DE60450842) with unprofessional conduct. In September 2016 the commission immediately suspended his credential. Also in 2016, Brooksby’s Nevada dentist credential was revoked.
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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