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 the following 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 “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” section of the Department of Health website (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.

Cowlitz County

In May 2023 the Nursing Commission summarily suspended the registered nurse credential of Kristin Jeanne Schaper (RN60864789). In April 2022, the state of Oregon accepted the surrender of Schaper’s license for allegations including being impaired at her workplace and for being dishonest during an Oregon board investigation. In October 2022, the state of Arizona accepted the surrender of Schaper’s license for a pattern of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at her workplace and for failing to comply with an Arizona board order.

Grant County

In May 2023 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant license of Stephanie M Jordan (NC10089848). Jordan may apply for reinstatement after paying a $250 fine and 10 hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights, and law and ethics. In November 2022, the Department of Social and Health Services placed Jordan on the long-term care abuse and neglect registry and is prohibited from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Grays Harbor County

In May 2023 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Kerri Kennedy Layton (NA61006977) pending further legal action. In January 2023, the Department of Social and Health Services placed Layton on the long-term care abuse and neglect registry and is prohibited from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Kitsap County

In May 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Caprice Carole La Dieu (RN60409110). La Dieu may petition for reinstatement. La Dieu failed to comply with a 2022 Nursing Commission order when she did not comply with the order’s conditions that she complete a refresher course and certain continuing education.

Okanogan County

In May 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Colleen Marie Dorsten (RN00176717). Dorsten may petition for reinstatement. In June 2022, Dorsten allegedly took a child, who is a dependent of the state of Washington and in the custody of the Department of Children, Youth & Families, to Uganda and failed to return with the child.

Pierce County

In May 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Simon Makumi Kinuthia (NA61075074). Kinuthia may petition for reinstatement. In April 2022, Kinuthia was convicted of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation for touching a female coworker in a sexually suggestive manner without her consent.

In May 2023 the secretary of health suspended the home care aide license of Dena Marie Phifer (HM60882809) for five years. Phifer administered medications to a patient without authorization to do so, and became romantically and sexually involved with her patient’s son, who is considered a key party to the patient.

Spokane County

In May 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Paul Arthur Nichczynski (RN60049010). Nichczynski may petition for reinstatement after re-entering and signing a new contract with a substance use monitoring program. In September 2022, Nichczynski withdrew from a substance use monitoring program he entered to avoid potential discipline.