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.

King County

In April 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the dentist license of Joseph R. Zimmer (DE00006267). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Zimmer must pay a $5,000 fine and a $6,419.90 reimbursement and complete a minimum of eight hours of continuing education in the area of practice management. In December 2023, Zimmer failed to appear at a scheduled pre-hearing conference in response to charges against him regarding two registered dental assistants working with expired licenses at his clinic.

In May 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the medical assistant phlebotomist license of Kristie Noelle Pogline (PC61206645). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Pogline must undergo a substance misuse evaluation and contact a monitoring program within 90 days, enrolling in the program if required. Due to her conduct on two occasions between April 2022 and June 2022, Pogline was charged with reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor; endangerment with a controlled substance, a class B felony; speeding; and dangerously distracted driving. Pogline admitted to using methamphetamine and fentanyl, including in one instance with a minor present.

Kitsap County

In May 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Allison Barkhurst (CO60889656). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Barkhurst must respond to a DOH investigation. Barkhurst failed to respond to a November 2022 letter of cooperation regarding a complaint alleging unauthorized use or abuse of a controlled substance.

Pierce County

In May 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission and Jamie Kathleen Mullen (CH60582943) agreed to the indefinite suspension of her chiropractor license. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Mullen must pay a $5,000 fine and provide a COVID-19 compliance plan. In September 2021, chiropractors, staff, and patients at the clinic Mullen co-owned did not wear masks. The clinic also did not have COVID-19 safety signs.

In May 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant license of William Kawawa Karagu (NA61039987). In July 2023, Karagu engaged in sexually inappropriate behavior while intoxicated at the residential care center where he worked.

In May 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission and Walter F. Foto (GA10000320, DE00008264) agreed to the indefinite suspension of his general anesthesia permit. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Foto must complete a 60-hour course in parenteral dental sedation, 17 hours of continuing education in dental records documentation, fixed prosthodontics, endodontics, infection control and risk management, an ethics exam, and pass a jurisprudence exam. Foto must also submit a list of patient fees to the commission, refund patients for services charged, pay a $20,000 fine and reimburse $10,000. From August 2016 to October 2021, Foto failed to comply with safety requirements for general anesthesia in the treatment of 11 patients, performed below the standard of care, and failed to adequately maintain patient records. Foto may continue to practice dentistry using local anesthesia only.

In May 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Arthur Leonid Vavrinyuk (RN60644535) pending further legal action. In December 2023, the California Board of Registered Nursing revoked Vavrinyuk’s registered nurse license for unprofessional conduct consisting of pushing his pregnant wife to the ground and holding her down.

In May 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) suspended the registered nurse and advanced nurse practitioner licenses of Darren Terry Freeman (RN60607116, AP60607117-NP). Freeman may not petition for reinstatement for at least 48 months. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Freeman must undergo a psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation and complete a minimum of 31.25 hours of continuing education in anger management. In May 2023, Freeman was convicted of two counts of third-degree assault, a class C felony, and two counts of violation of a protection order, a gross misdemeanor.