For immediate release: December 31, 2018 (18-175)
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 December 2018 the Occupational Therapy Board indefinitely suspended the occupational therapist credential of Kimberly H. Bayes (OT00004170). In 2017, after being arrested in connection with driving under the influence while she was on her lunch break, Bayes pleaded guilty to first-degree negligent driving.
Franklin County
In December 2018 the Physical Therapy Board indefinitely suspended the physical therapist credential of Andrew Dean Carrell (PT60615361). In 2017 Carrell agreed to a continuance on an indecent exposure charge.
Island County
In December 2018 the secretary of health suspended for at least three years the certified nursing assistant credential of John Taylor Bishop (NC60626196). In 2018 Bishop pleaded guilty to third-degree assault – domestic violence, harassment threats to kill – domestic violence, and obstructing – false/misleading statement.
Jefferson County
In December 2018 the secretary of health permanently revoked the certified nursing assistant and certified medical assistant phlebotomist credentials of Brandon Jeffrey Lum (NC60545725, PC60744813). In 2018 Lum was convicted of two counts of second-degree child molestation, and two counts of communication with a minor for immoral purposes.
King County
In December 2018 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Naphtali Gitonga Wahiu (NA60758782) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Wahiu sexually abused a client. Wahiu is disqualified from having unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults.
Pierce County
In December 2018 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Barbara A. Chapman (RN60561206), who didn’t comply with a 2018 stipulation requiring her to submit performance and personal progress reports.
In December 2018 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the dental assistant credential of Nicole Marie Hedstrom (D160882009), who didn’t comply with a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
Spokane County
In December 2018 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Abigail Lee Sontag (RN60265120). Sontag agreed to a search of her belongings that yielded syringes, medication, bottles, and other items taken from the facility where she worked. A syringe and a bottle contained hydromorphone, a controlled substance Sontag didn’t have legal authority to possess. Sontag didn’t respond to the commission’s request for a written statement addressing the allegations.
Yakima County
In December 2018 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified home care aide credential of Maria C. Miranda (HM60303811), who didn’t supply proof of having completed required continuing education.
Out of State
Illinois: In December 2018 the Naturopathy Board entered an agreement with naturopathic physician Pamela K. Smith (NT00000886) under which she surrendered her credential. Smith issued medical marijuana authorizations at hotels around Washington. She didn’t conduct or record adequate physical exams, make diagnoses required by the standard of care, or document qualifying conditions.
Kansas: In December 2018 the Medical Commission entered an agreement with physician assistant Jeanine Godec (PA10002279) that continues her March 14, 2018, summary suspension for at least 12 additional months. The agreement contains numerous practice conditions and restrictions. Godec’s pattern of substandard care demonstrated failure to recognize serious risks of drug-related harm, and created an unreasonable risk of serious harm or death to vulnerable patients.
Montana: In December 2018 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Mark Mitchell Roubidoux (RN00055168, AP30000765) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credentials. In 2018 the Montana Board of Nursing revoked Roubidoux’s advanced registered nurse license after he admitted practicing while impaired.
New Mexico: In December 2018 the Medical Commission indefinitely suspended the physician credential of Mark J. Waliser (MD00025170). The physician didn’t abide by a requirement to abstain from alcohol, and ended a monitoring agreement.
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
###