State disciplines health care providers-R20-6
For immediate release: March 3, 2020 (20-027)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
Douglas County
In February 2020 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant Tami Lynn Eggert, also known as Tami Lynn Crouch (CM60408010), with unprofessional conduct. The medical assistant allegedly 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.
King County
In February 2020 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Gwynn Palmer of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Palmer allegedly doesn’t have licenses to practice medicine or massage therapy, but performed colon hydrotherapy on at least five patients, and advertised herself as a massage therapist.
In February 2020 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Bruce Tatsuro Sugiyama (HM60455957) with unprofessional conduct. Sugiyama allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
Snohomish County
In February 2020 the Massage Therapist Program filed an amended statement of charges against massage therapist Michaela Larsen (MA60280158). Larsen allegedly didn’t complete required continuing education.
In January 2019 the Pharmacy Commission denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Hieu Tu Le (VB60907612). In 2014 Le was convicted on a federal charge of distribution of oxycodone. That same year Le’s physician license was revoked.
Spokane County
In February 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse David D. Primm (RN00168794) with unprofessional conduct. Primm allegedly didn’t fulfill a requirement to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program.
In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Leslie Jo Sitton (NC60127623) with unprofessional conduct. In 2016 Sitton was twice convicted of driving under the influence.
Stevens County
In February 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Connie LaRue (RN00079338) with unprofessional conduct. In 2018 LaRue applied to reactivate her expired license. In 2017 she was convicted of obstructing a law enforcement officer.
Thurston County
In January 2020 the Dental Commission conditionally granted a dental assistant credential to Ashley Marie Japhet (D160986208) and ordered her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. In 2016 Japhet pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary.
Walla Walla County
In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Josimar Nateras (NA60849338) with unprofessional conduct. Nateras allegedly sexually assaulted a patient.
Whatcom County
In February 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against registered nursing assistant Shane Anthony Miller (NA60756675). Charges say Miller admitted stealing and selling to a pawnshop a patient’s laptop computer. In 2019 Miller pleaded guilty to third-degree theft.
Yakima County
In February 2020 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Jennifer Ward, doing business as Jen’s Home Care, of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Ward allegedly 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.
In February 2020 the secretary of health conditionally granted a surgical technologist credential to Sommer Lee Spencer (ST00002722) and ordered her to continue complying with conditions on the medical assistant credential she received in 2019.
Out of State
Minnesota: In February 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Zakaria Muigai Chege (RN60886364) with unprofessional conduct. When Chege applied for a Washington nurse license in 2018, he attested that he’d never been convicted of a crime. In 2009 and again in 2012 the nurse was convicted in Minnesota of driving while intoxicated – operate motor vehicle under influence of alcohol. In 2017 Chege was convicted in Minnesota of financial transaction card fraud-use-no consent. Chege’s Minnesota registered nurse license was revoked in 2018. His California registered nurse license was revoked in 2019.
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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