For immediate release: October 17, 2017 (17-147)
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.
Pierce County
In September 2017 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the dental assistant credential of Rena C. Gibson (D160053253), who didn’t comply with requirements of a substance abuse monitoring program.
In October 2017 the Medical Assistant Program entered an agreement with medical assistant Lara E. Gustafson (MR60392218) that indefinitely suspends her credential. Gustafson stole a prescription pad from a clinic where she worked, used it to forge prescriptions for narcotic pain medications, and presented the prescriptions to a pharmacy. She was arrested and charged with two counts of forgery of a prescription, with the case assigned to drug court.
Whatcom County
In October 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Lacey Lynn Kara (NC60596208) under which she surrendered her credential. Kara admitted diverting drugs from a pharmacy where she worked.
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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