For immediate release: September 15, 2016 (16-105)
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.
Clark County
In June 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional credential of Thomas E. Imig (CP00004925), who didn’t respond to a Department of Health investigator’s inquiry into his record-keeping.
In June 2016 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Rigoberto Prieto (NA60250868) for at least one year. Prieto wasn’t present when he was scheduled to be on duty at a residential care facility.
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Christine A. Wait (NC60350853) that suspends her credential for at least one year. Wait used a client’s credit card to buy a newspaper subscription for herself and said she provided care for a client on dates when she wasn’t present.
Franklin County
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Arthur Opel (NA60489600) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Opel physically abused and neglected a vulnerable adult by using a chemical restraint in a manner not prescribed for that person. Opel can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Island County
In June 2016 the Marriage and Family Therapist Program entered an agreement with marriage and family therapist associate Daniel David Haldeman (MG60217258) that suspends his credential for at least 18 months. Haldeman exploited a vulnerable adult by persuading a brain-injured client to endorse Haldeman’s $6,000 student loan.
King County
In June 2016 the secretary of health entered an agreement with registered nurse Tamsen Kindra Draper (RN60525036) that suspends her credential for at least one year, followed by at least two years of probation. Draper became sexually involved with a patient.
In June 2016 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of physician Jackson L. Haverly (MD00030718), who didn’t adequately respond to an inquiry about a complaint filed against him.
Kitsap County
In June 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the massage practitioner credential of Carmen Lynn Williamson (MA60161698). After determining that Williamson financially exploited a vulnerable adult, the state Department of Social and Health Services prohibited her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
In June 2016 the Nursing Commission amended an order that indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Monica Celeste Nettles (RN60428058). Her Mississippi nursing license was revoked in 2015 in connection with narcotics-related issues.
In June 2016 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician Susan J. Shlifer (MD00035541) that indefinitely suspends her credential. Shlifer didn’t comply with several provisions of a 2013 order. She provided substandard patient treatment for a variety of conditions.
Lewis County
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Jennifer K. Thayer (NA60633032) for at least five years. Thayer admitted diverting about 1,500 narcotic pills for her personal use from a resident of an adult family home she operated. In 2016 Thayer was charged with possession of a controlled substance.
Pierce County
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Jamie M. Casteel (NA60003382) for at least 10 years. In 2016 Casteel was convicted of second-degree theft in connection with financially exploiting four vulnerable adult patients.
In June 2016 the Chemical Dependency Professional Program indefinitely suspended the chemical dependency professional trainee credential of Sagan Brailynn Cheaney (CO60464526), who didn’t submit required employer reports or unemployment declarations.
Skagit County
In June 2016 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of physician Scott F. Mennella (MD00022793), who didn’t comply with a requirement to undergo a psychological evaluation.
Spokane County
In June 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Kimberly Lynn Simpson (NC60241417). Simpson worked at a veteran’s home where she inappropriately touched a patient several times, making the resident uncomfortable.
Thurston County
In June 2016 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Vanessa R. Youmans (NC60436443) for at least three years. Youmans took a patient’s ring without permission, and pawned the ring. In 2015 she received a continuance on charges of second-degree theft and first-degree trafficking in stolen property.
Whatcom County
In June 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the massage practitioner credential of Amanda M. Carter (MA60503968). Carter didn’t comply with a requirement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.
Yakima County
In June 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Maurice M. Yates (NC60617909) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. Yates tore off a vulnerable adult’s nails with his fingers instead of using nail clippers and pulled off one entire nail. The state Department of Social and Health Services found that Yates abused a vulnerable adult. He can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Out of State
Arizona: In June 2016 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Deann J. Stevens (NC60043407). Stevens surrendered her Arizona certified nursing assistant credential in 2015 after being convicted of driving while intoxicated twice in Washington and once in Arizona.
California: In June 2016 the Massage Program suspended the massage practitioner credential of Zhongmin Wang (MA60219273) for at least six months. Without a client’s consent, Wang removed the client’s underwear and sweatpants, and massaged her buttocks and legs.
California: In June 2016 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Margaret Giselle Usrey (RN60288652) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. Usrey surrendered her California nurse license in 2016 after not complying with probation.
Kansas: In February 2016 the Marriage and Family Therapist and Agency-Affiliated Counselor programs entered an agreement with marriage and family therapist and agency-affiliated counselor Timothy J. Wyatt (LF60520195, CG60531703) under which he surrendered his credentials. Wyatt made comments about a client’s appearance, had close physical contact with her, told her about his marriage and sexual history, and admitted he “can’t handle boundaries.” Wyatt, who admitted he “was very misguided and let it go where it shouldn’t,” didn’t document or disclose to his supervisor the sexual focus of his therapy, and asked the client to do the same.
Tennessee: In June 2016 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the credential of physician Christiana M. Lietzke (MD60423996). The North Carolina Medical Board suspended Lietzke’s credential to practice in that state because of behavior related to a mental condition.
Texas: In June 2016 the Surgical Technologist Program indefinitely suspended the surgical technologist credential of Jlynn Reeves, also known as Chris Reeves (ST00002295), who didn’t comply with a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
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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