For immediate release: June 5, 2020  (20-094)

Contact:  Sharon Moysiuk, Communications  360-549-6471 Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service   360-236-4700

State disciplines health care providers            

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.

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 website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” 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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Clallam County

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Heather L. Harsh (RN00131334).

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Jessica M. Larsen (RN00142563) with unprofessional conduct. Upon reporting for duty, the nurse allegedly showed indications that led co-workers to suspect she was under the influence, performed poorly on physical tests, admitted having consumed vodka the night before, smelled of alcohol, refused to undergo testing, was sent home, and was subsequently terminated. Larsen allegedly didn’t respond to a Nursing Commission investigator’s inquiry.

Clark County

In May 2020 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Ashley Elyse Jean Kluge (CG61019292) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2012 and again in 2015 Kluge was convicted of fourth-degree assault. In 2016 and again in 2017 Kluge was convicted of possession of controlled substance – methamphetamine.

In April 2020 the Dental Commission withdrew a statement of charges against dentist and moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit holder Ellis Burke Jardine (DE60339865, CS60495559).

In May 2020 the secretary of health conditionally granted a certified nursing assistant credential to Kaylyn M. Gaudet (NC61027482) and ordered her to complete a theft awareness class. In 2019 Gaudet entered a deferral agreement on a third-degree theft charge.

In May 2020 the secretary of health conditionally granted a registered nursing assistant credential to Joyce Njanja Mwaura (NA61050326), who must abide by conditions imposed on her certified nursing assistant credential in February 2020.

Cowlitz County

In May 2020 the secretary of health conditionally granted an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Christopher Nicholas Munson (CG61027037) and placed him on probation for at least two years. In 2008 Munson was convicted of reckless driving, second-degree driving while license suspended, possession of a controlled substance other than marijuana (methadone), and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. In 2013 Munson was convicted of driving under the influence, and of first-degree driving while license suspended. In 2016 Munson was convicted of third-degree theft, fourth-degree assault, obstructing a law enforcement officer, and possession of methamphetamine. In 2017 Munson was convicted of third-degree theft.

Douglas County In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tanya L. Jones (NC10090825) with unprofessional conduct. Jones allegedly diverted controlled substances for her own use. Franklin County

In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Sandra Lynn Butler (NC10032153) that fines her $250 and requires her to complete continuing education in preventing falls, law and ethics, and errors and mistakes. Butler’s license was suspended in 2019 in connection with neglecting a vulnerable adult.

Grant County

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Esther Rae Tuller (RN60318009) with unprofessional conduct. Tuller allegedly repeatedly failed to account for controlled substances at a skilled nursing facility where she worked, and didn’t respond to a Nursing Commission inquiry.

King County

In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program agreed to reinstate the certified nursing assistant credential of Wakila Monique Rankin (NC60335443) and placed her on probation for at least two years. Rankin’s application to reactivate her expired license was denied in 2018, and her license was suspended. In 2017 her Nevada certified nursing assistant license was revoked in connection with misappropriation of a patient’s property.

In May 2020 the secretary of health ended conditions on the in-home services agency credential of Aarti Bindlish, administrator/owner of Bindlish Home Care LLC, doing business as Executive Care (FS60720360).

In May 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Mike H. Hsieh (DE00009296) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Hsieh pleaded guilty to a federal charge of filing a false tax return. Charges say Hsieh agreed his unpaid federal taxes from 2007 to 2014 amounted to $231,941.

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Lisa M. Murphy (LP00052356) with unprofessional conduct. Murphy allegedly didn’t cooperate with a substance abuse monitoring program.

In May 2020 the Naturopathy Board charged naturopathic physician Mark C. Monwai (NT00001107) with unprofessional conduct. Monwai allegedly continued practicing with a suspended credential. He allegedly caused prescriptions to be made using another naturopathic physician’s identity without that naturopathic physician’s knowledge or consent, represented himself as holding a naturopathic physician’s credential, and provided medicine to the public.

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Jennifer E. Smith (RN60105436) with unprofessional conduct. Smith allegedly didn’t fulfill a requirement to complete continuing education in documentation and ethics, and to complete an ethics and boundaries examination.

In February 2020 the secretary of health denied a certified nursing assistant credential to Alexander J. Trout (NC60883130). In 2018 Trout was fined in New York in connection with operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of drugs, and failed to complete a required evaluation.

Kitsap County

In April 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Lawrence Kermit Heggerness (DE00003688) with unprofessional conduct. Heggerness allegedly placed an unsterilized crown in a patient’s mouth after using an ungloved hand to pick it up from next to a sink. Heggerness allegedly wasn’t wearing a mask.

Pierce County

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse credential of Rachel K. Johnson, also known as Rachel K. Kletzker (LP00044669).

Snohomish County

In May 2020 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Regan C. Devin (HM60943267) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say the credential issued under Devin’s name was applied for and obtained by a person using a false name, birthdate, and Social Security number, and that the person assumed and worked under the false identity. Devin allegedly didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry.

In May 2020 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Alyssa D. Piper (HM60945109) with unprofessional conduct. Piper allegedly didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry about a report that a person using a false identity fraudulently obtained the home care aide credential issued under the name Alyssa D. Piper.

In May 2020 the Psychology Board charged psychologist Michael L. Olson (PY00001263) with unprofessional conduct. Olson allegedly practiced below the standard of care by becoming overly involved with a client, assuming and continuing a caretaker role post-therapy, resulting in blurred practitioner-client boundaries and putting the client at risk of harm. Olson allegedly didn’t keep adequate records for the client.

In May 2020 the Veterinary Board charged veterinarian Carol A. Schlaefer (VT00003220) with unprofessional conduct. Schlaefer allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education but said she had.

In April 2020 the Dental Commission denied a dental assistant credential to Stephen Bjorn Otness (D160940860). In 2017 Otness was convicted of driving under the influence. In 2019 Otness was convicted of third-degree driving while license suspended or revoked, and of operating a vehicle without ignition interlock.

Spokane County

In April 2020 the secretary of health denied a home care aide credential to Brandi Kay Weber (HM60960199). In 2013 Weber was convicted of possession of controlled substance – cocaine. In 2019 Weber was convicted of driving under the influence. Weber didn’t fulfill a requirement to undergo a substance use evaluation.

In April 2020 the secretary of health denied a certified nursing assistant credential to Ryan Andrew Haskell (NC60965135), whose credential in the same profession was suspended in March 2020.

In May 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Cheryl Lynn Leavell (RN00120012) with unprofessional conduct. Leavell allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.

In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Tovah J. Laffoon (NA00186867) with unprofessional conduct. Laffoon allegedly didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry about a complaint that Laffoon diverted a controlled substance that belonged to a resident of an adult family home Laffoon manages.

In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Alexander Gregory Baacke (NC60611406) with unprofessional conduct. While employed at a retirement home, charges say, Baacke made unauthorized use of a client’s credit card to make about $409.93 in purchases for himself.

In May 2020 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist James S. Shelby (DE00007654) that reprimands him and places his credential under monitoring for at least five years. Shelby must pay a $5,000 fine, and reimburse the commission for $3,532.96 in costs. He must participate in therapy, may not apply for reinstatement of his federal Drug Enforcement Administration registration for at least three years, pass an ethics course, complete continuing education in risk management and narcotics addiction, and pass a jurisprudence examination. In 2019 the dentist pleaded guilty to four federal felonies related to conspiracy to distribute and distribution of controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose, and outside the usual course of professional practice.

Thurston County

In May 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Shannon Marie Martinez (NC60317174) with unprofessional conduct. Martinez allegedly underwent employer-initiated urinalysis for controlled substances. Charges say Martinez had no valid prescription for amphetamine or methamphetamine.

Whatcom County

In May 2020 the secretary of health reinstated the surgical technologist credential of Amy Vanlant (ST00003684). Vanlant’s license was suspended in 2015 in connection with diverting fentanyl and replacing it with saline solution.

Yakima County

In May 2020 the secretary of health ordered Jennifer Ward, doing business as Jen’s Home Care, to cease and desist from operating as a home care agency without a license, and to pay a $1,000 fine. Ward has no home care agency license, but employed at least two people to provide home care services to a client, and received $34,188.70 in payment.