For immediate release: May 16, 2025 (25-071)
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.
King County
In April 2025 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended Joseph R. Zimmer’s (DE00006267) credential to practice as a dentist in Washington state. A 2024 site inspection found multiple infection control violations at Zimmer’s practice, including expired or invalid autoclave tests, lack of waterline testing, and missing cough etiquette signage. Zimmer did not respond to the charges, resulting in a default order.
Pend Oreille County
In March 2025 the Department of Health revoked the home care aide credential of Annette LeAnn Geistwhite (HM60354463). In October 2024, the Department of Social and Health Services’ (DSHS) Adult Protective Services placed Geistwhite on its registry, disqualifying her from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children, and prohibiting her from working as a home care aide. In July 2022, DSHS found Geistwhite had financially and personally exploited, and mentally abused, a vulnerable adult. The findings became final in October 2024 when Geistwhite withdrew her request for a hearing.
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