For immediate release: July 7, 2023 (23-092)
Contact: DOH Communications
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
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.
Clark County
In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Akberet M. Tekle (NC10083574). Tekle may not petition for reinstatement for at least two years; must pay a $500 fine; and complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights, law and ethics, and following care plans. The Department of Social and Health Services’ Adult Protective Services placed Tekle on the long-term care abuse and neglect registry in July 2022.
King County
In May 2023 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Frances Gathungu Gathumbi (NA61175822). Gathumbi may not petition for reinstatement for at least five years; pay a $2,500 fine; and complete 12 hours of continuing education in the areas of boundaries, and law and ethics. Between April 2021 and September 2021, Gathumbi had sexual intercourse with a resident at the adult family home where he was employed.
Pierce County
In June 2023 the secretary of health suspended the substance use disorder professional license of Robin Lee Mauritzen Sehmel (CP60821247, CO60309262). Sehmel may not petition for reinstatement for 36 months and must pay a $1,000 fine. Sehmel’s substance use professional trainee license expired in June 2020. From February to September of 2022, Sehmel had a sexual relationship with a patient. During this time, Sehmel gave gifts, loaned money to, and smoked cannabis with the patient.
Skagit County
In May 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission and pharmacist Jennifer Nguyen (PH60457541) agreed to the surrender of her license with an agreement to not resume practice in the state of Washington. Nguyen’s license had been summarily suspended in 2015 following numerous charges including theft of controlled substances, forgery, and administering a flu vaccine to a child while intoxicated.
Spokane County
In June 2023 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Abdiqadir Abdi Osman (NA60534267). Osman may not petition for reinstatement for at least five years, and prior to that must contact a substance use monitoring program to enroll and participate. In November 2019, Osman was charged with fourth-degree assault after being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol with a client in his car while on duty, and then assaulting a fellow staff member. In August 2021, Osman pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, reckless driving, and second-degree malicious mischief for an incident that occurred in October 2019.
In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program summarily suspended the registered nursing assistant license of George Patrick Sessions (NA60116696) pending further legal action. In February 2023, Sessions was placed on the Department of Social and Health Services long-term care abuse and neglect registry and is prohibited from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
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