For immediate release: May 13, 2020  (20-066)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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

Benton County

In March 2020 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with licensed practical nurse Eli Eames Brackenbury (LP60255291) that places him on probation for at least 24 months. Brackenbury must abide by practice restrictions, and complete continuing education in patient assessment. Brackenbury didn’t fully assess a patient subsequently diagnosed with a hemorrhage suspected to have resulted from an aneurysm, and left the patient alone at home with her adolescent daughter.

In March 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Marcel A. Heine (MA60083263) with unprofessional conduct. Heine allegedly didn’t provide documentation of having completed required continuing education.

Cowlitz County

In March 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Jeffrey Alan Sulitzer (DE60576749) with unprofessional conduct. Sulitzer allegedly didn’t examine or diagnose patients before delegating dental services to dental hygienists, and didn’t furnish patient records in response to a Department of Health investigator’s request.

King County

In March 2020 the secretary of health denied a registered nursing assistant credential to Mable S. Wilson (NA61008989). In 2019 Wilson received a continuance on a fourth-degree assault – domestic violence charge.

In April 2020 the X-Ray Technician Program entered an agreement with X-ray technician Jason Edward Belvill (XT60761178) that places him on probation for at least 24 months and fines him $1,000. He must complete continuing education in law and ethics. Belvill performed scans on several patients without a physician’s order or prescription, and without physician supervision or post-scan analysis.

In April 2020 the secretary of health withdrew notification of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order to Nedra Goedert.

In April 2020 the secretary of health withdrew notification of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order to Janell Hartman.

In April 2020 the secretary of health withdrew notification of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order to Juliette King.

In April 2020 the secretary of health withdrew notification of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order to Henrietta Ochsner.

Kitsap County

In April 2020 the secretary of health withdrew notification of intent to issue a cease-and-desist order to Dorothy Leibrant.

Pierce County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Kailee K. Brewer (NC60588505) with unprofessional conduct. Brewer’s daughter allegedly was taken to a hospital after being dropped off at a babysitter’s home.

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Athena M. Gomez (NC10097303) with unprofessional conduct. Gomez allegedly had a romantic relationship with a vulnerable adult patient, and used the patient’s credit and debit cards to make unauthorized purchases and charges for her own benefit.

In March 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Denise S. Wood (MA00014484) with unprofessional conduct. Wood allegedly falsely attested to having met continuing education requirements.

In March 2020 the Occupational Therapy Board modified the reinstatement order of occupational therapist license of Tara Renee Sperry (OT60096143) and fined her $5,000. Sperry’s license was suspended in 2017 in connection with multiple discrepancies in charting documentation and billing records.

Skagit County

In April 2020 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified medical assistant credential of Lisa Ann House (CM60370801).

Snohomish County

In March 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Elaine C. Ross (RN00171442).

In April 2020 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation for pharmacy technician Krista Aline Samuelson (VA60765359).

Spokane County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Thomas F. Begley (NC60167880) with unprofessional conduct. Begley allegedly grabbed a patient around the throat or neck area, shoved the patient against a wall, and yelled an expletive at the patient.

In March 2020 the Mental Health Counselor Program entered an agreement with mental health counselor Mirra Merkel (LH60569530) that places her on probation for at least three years. The counselor must pay a $2,000 fine, comply with practice requirements, and pass an ethics course. Merkel had a romantic and sexual relationship with a client.

In March 2020 the secretary of health denied a certified nursing assistant credential to Jamie Louise Brandt (NC60991508), whose Minnesota nurse license was suspended in 2019.

In April 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Enid Althea Daugherty (RN60553640) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Daugherty agreed not to practice in Oregon for two years in connection with allegations of patient medication theft, falsified documentation, and prescription medication abuse.

In April 2020 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the pharmacy technician credential of Dallas Olive (VA60894156).

In March 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Trudy Kaylynn Frantz (RN60017511).

In April 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Chelsea Lyn Montenguise (NA60320298) with unprofessional conduct. In 2020 Montenguise applied to activate her credential, which expired in 2018. In 2016 and again in 2017 Montenguise was convicted of driving under the influence.