For immediate release: April 24, 2020  (20-057)

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.

Clark County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended for at least five years the certified nursing assistant credential of Heidi M. Williams (NC10071708). Williams underwent testing for controlled substances for which she didn’t have prescriptions, and didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry.

In March 2020 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the licensed practical nurse credential of Cody Scott Kottmann (LP60853856), who didn’t respond to an inquiry about allegations that he slept on the job.

Douglas County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant David M. Cooper (NC10017417) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services, which determined that Cooper mentally abused a vulnerable adult, placed Cooper on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. That bars Cooper from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

King County

In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ricardo Dulay Donato Jr. (NA60056380) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended his credential. Donato was placed on the state Department of Social and Health Services long-term care abuse and neglect registry following a finding that he neglected a vulnerable adult. Donato can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In February 2020 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the medical assistant-phlebotomist credential of Mark J. Pech (PC60355261), who worked as a medical center laboratory assistant while under the influence of alcohol.

In February 2020 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the massage therapist credential of Betsy K. Wallace (MA00021204), who didn’t furnish proof of having completed required continuing education.

In March 2020 the Home Care Aide Program entered an agreement with home care aide Bruce Tatsuro Sugiyama (HM60455957) that indefinitely suspends his credential. Sugiyama didn’t complete required continuing education.

In March 2020 the Dental Commission indefinitely suspended the dental assistant credential of Heather Chaudoin, also known as Heather Havens (D160091351). Chaudoin’s license expired in 2009. In 2011 she was convicted of first-degree theft, and of three counts of forgery. In 2014 she was convicted of third-degree theft. In 2015 she was convicted of two counts of third-degree theft.

Kittitas County

In February 2020 the Pharmacy Commission rendered inoperable the pharmacy intern registration of Ashley Marie Ledgerwood (IR60691315), who is no longer enrolled in a pharmacy program.

Okanogan County

In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Aprile Lashell Patterson (NC60727244) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Patterson sexually abused a vulnerable adult, and placed Patterson on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. That prohibits Patterson from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.