For immediate release: April 21, 2020  (20-055)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 February 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Patricia Joann Elkin (RN00121327) with unprofessional conduct. Elkin allegedly didn’t abide by a substance abuse monitoring program.

Clark County

In February 2020 the Pharmacy Commission denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Kevona Daunes Penn (VB60947344), who in 2018 was convicted of third-degree unlawful use of drug paraphernalia.

Cowlitz County

In January 2020 the secretary of health denied a home care aide credential to Patricia Doriene Fair (HM60931481). In 2005 Fair was convicted of third-degree theft. In 2016 Fair was convicted of violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act – possess methamphetamine. Fair didn’t undergo a required substance use evaluation.

Douglas County

In March 2020 the Medical Assistant Program entered an agreement with medical assistant Tami Lynn Eggert, also known as Tami Lynn Crouch (CM60408010), that fines her $500, places conditions on her practice, and requires her to complete continuing education in law and ethics. The medical assistant admitted entering an average of a patient’s past blood pressures on a chart instead of taking a current and accurate blood pressure reading, as well as entering the patient’s previous weight and vital signs.

Island County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Terrance Omarh Gibbs (NC60070547) with unprofessional conduct. Gibbs allegedly borrowed a car from a resident at a facility where he worked, stole about $900 in cash, and repaid $300. Charges say Gibbs didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry.

King County

In March 2020 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant Lindsay M. Rosen (CM60447468) with unprofessional conduct. Rosen allegedly didn’t fulfill a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.

In March 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist David M. Gibson (MA00006073) with unprofessional conduct. Gibson allegedly didn’t provide documentation of having completed required continuing education.

In March 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Dereck L. Olsen (MA00016849) with unprofessional conduct. Olsen allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.

In March 2020 the secretary of health reinstated the surgical technologist credential of Kenneth Richard Welling (ST00000019). Welling’s license was suspended in 2013 in connection with 2012 criminal convictions stemming from billing for services he didn’t provide.

Kitsap County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Pamela Ann Musha (NC10059525) with unprofessional conduct. Musha allegedly diverted drugs from patients at an assisted living facility where she worked.

Pierce County

In February 2020 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against registered nursing assistant and respiratory therapist Deborah Bussell-Chambers (NA60186045, LR00003443).

In March 2020 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with licensed practical nurse Keziah N. Kimbowa (LP60726782) that places her on probation for at least 12 months. Kimbowa must complete continuing education in patient assessment and in critical thinking. She must abide by practice restrictions. Kimbowa didn’t administer insulin to a patient as orders called for because insulin wasn’t available, and didn’t initially inform supervisors.

In February 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse John Bertram Jackson IV (RN60088579) with unprofessional conduct. While subject to a substance abuse monitoring contract, Jackson allegedly tested for controlled substances for which he had no prescriptions.

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Cassondra N. Lynch (NA00187166) with unprofessional conduct. While Lynch was providing home care to a patient, charges say, Lynch’s supervisor found her with unopened beer cans and an empty beer can. Lynch took a breathalyzer test, charges say, and was immediately terminated. She allegedly declined to be driven back to the agency’s office and drove away in her own vehicle.

Skagit County

In March 2020 the Unlicensed Practice Program entered an agreement with Antojito Inc., doing business as Tacos El Antojito, that requires it to cease and desist from practicing pharmacy without a license, and to pay a $1,000 fine. The business doesn’t have a pharmacy license, but offered for sale medications containing ingredients at concentrations that would classify them as legend drugs, which may be dispensed only with a valid prescription in Washington.

Spokane County

In March 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Anteneh T. Taye (NA60973824) with unprofessional conduct. Taye allegedly reported for work while under the influence of alcohol, and didn’t respond to a Department of Health inquiry.

In February 2020 the Mental Health Counselor and Substance Abuse Disorder Professional programs filed an amended statement of charges against associate licensed mental health counselor and substance abuse disorder professional Anthony L. Williams (MC60796005, CP60423468) to add that in 2019 Williams was convicted of six counts of delivery of a controlled substance, and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ryan Andrew Haskell (NA60881492) with unprofessional conduct. Haskell allegedly had an intimate relationship with a resident at the facility where he worked, and violated employer policies about using and disclosing confidential information.

Out of State

Alabama: In February 2020 the Nursing Commission denied a registered nurse credential to Buford Delone Roberts III (RN60818049). While Roberts was working under a temporary practice permit, hospital security footage showed him taking items from a closed coffee shop. Roberts exhibited impaired behavior at work. He withdrew medication, but didn’t document that he administered or disposed of it.