For immediate release: December 12, 2019 (19-140)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 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., 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 “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.
Franklin County
In November 2019 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with pharmacy technician and pharmacy assistant Alexandra Urbina (VA60655176, VB60591319) that suspends her credentials for at least three years. Urbina, who worked at a retail pharmacy, admitted to her employer that she diverted hydrocodone and oxycodone, and told police she diverted about 1,000 pills for her own use.
King County
In October 2019 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the massage therapist credential of Lakisha Dickens (MA60240321), who altered and practiced with an expired credential.
Snohomish County
In October 2019 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Marci Reanee Cunningham (RN60455697) with unprofessional conduct, and in November 2019 immediately suspended her credential. While working at a skilled nursing facility, Cunningham documented that she had changed the wound dressing on a 99-year-old patient’s foot, but didn’t actually change the dressing. The state Department of Social and Health Services found that Cunningham neglected a vulnerable adult. She can’t work in a position that gives her unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Thurston County
In November 2019 the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program indefinitely suspended the respiratory care practitioner credential of Neil Bresee Whyte (LR00003354). In 2015 Whyte was convicted of third-degree assault: criminal negligence and substantial pain. In 2018 Whyte was convicted of obstructing a law enforcement officer. Whyte didn’t report the convictions to the Department of Health, and eventually admitted to one conviction. Whyte didn’t follow instructions to respond in writing to a letter of cooperation.
Out of State
Minnesota: In November 2019 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Nadezhda Stepahovna Martynyuk (RN60625776) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. In 2019 the Minnesota Board of Nursing revoked Martynyuk’s registered nurse license in that state in connection with a felony conviction.
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