State disciplines health care providers-R20-4
For immediate release: February 24, 2020 (20-023)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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.
King County
In January 2020 the Pharmacy Commission reinstated the pharmacist credential of John Vincent Riley (PH60314128). Riley’s license was suspended in 2015 in connection with drug diversion.
In January 2020 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dentist Ronald A. Sebastian (DE00010444) that fines him $10,000, requires him to reimburse the commission for $10,000 in expenses, limits his ability to use sedation on patients, and keeps him from applying for a sedation permit for at least a year. Sebastian must pass a jurisprudence exam. He must also complete continuing education in treatment planning, endodontics, opioid prescribing, documentation and charting, and ethics. The dentist committed multiple standard of care violations in areas involving anesthesia, documentation, prescribing opiate pain medication without a clinical need, and administering sedation without a permit.
Lewis County
In January 2020 the Behavioral Health Agencies Program entered an agreement with behavioral health agency Eugenia Center (FS60873522, FS60873521, FS60873520) that places it on probation for at least one year. The agency’s former administrator, whose substance use disorder professional credential was suspended in 2019, may not be involved in its organization, governance, or management, without an active license. The agency received conditional approval to open another branch in Lewis County (FS60933229) and one in Grays Harbor County (FS60950547).
Mason County
In January 2020 the Nursing Commission ended probation for registered nurse Marilee Joann Mellon (RN00110431).
Pierce County
In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Melanie Anne Ogburn (LP00048873) with unprofessional conduct. While working at a skilled nursing facility, Ogburn allegedly repeatedly withdrew controlled substance medications, didn’t document administering or disposing of them, and didn’t account for them.
In January 2020 the Naturopathy Board withdrew a statement of charges against naturopathic physician Marvin L. Gentry (NT00001200).
In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Sarah Lynn Diepeveen (LP60237126) with unprofessional conduct. Diepeveen’s Montana nurse license was suspended in 2019 in connection with allegations of misuse of controlled substances, and driving under the influence.
In January 2020 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant credential of Denece Nadine Bauer (NC10065072), whose license was suspended in 2016 in connection with stealing an iPad from a resident at a skilled nursing facility where she worked.
Snohomish County
In January 2020 the Pharmacy Commission reinstated the pharmacy technician credential of Debra L. Miranda (VA00021259) and ordered her to continue complying with a substance abuse monitoring program. Miranda’s license was suspended in 2018 in connection with drug diversion.
In January 2020 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dental assistant Christina Erminia Schwend (D160048558) that fines her $1,000, and requires her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. The dental assistant must complete continuing education in ethics, and pass a jurisprudence exam. While practicing with an expired license, Schwend got narcotics prescriptions for herself under the name of the dentist for whom she worked, without the dentist’s knowledge or consent.
In January 2020 the Dental Commission entered an agreement with dental assistant Wendy Jean Lizotte (D160048344) that fines her $500 and requires her to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. The dental assistant must complete continuing education in ethics, and pass a jurisprudence exam. Lizotte got narcotics prescriptions for herself and her boyfriend under the name of the dentist for whom she worked, without the dentist’s knowledge or consent.
Spokane County
In January 2020 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional Corey Kenneth Haskins (CP60681052) with unprofessional conduct. The substance use disorder professional allegedly had a sexual relationship with, and fathered a child by, a client.
Thurston County
In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Michelle Leigh Garcia (NC10045529) with unprofessional conduct. Garcia allegedly stole at least 10 checks that belonged to a patient, forged the patient’s name and wrote them to herself, and cashed them for more than $5,000.
Whatcom County
In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Dana Diana Jackson (RN00122852) with unprofessional conduct. The nurse allegedly didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
Out of State
Idaho: In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Cheri Susan Thomas (RN60067108) with unprofessional conduct. Thomas’s Idaho nurse license was revoked in 2018 after she pleaded guilty to three federal felonies.
Oregon: In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Arianne Marie Booth (RN60470358) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Booth’s Oregon nurse license was first suspended, then reinstated and placed on probation, in connection with suspected impairment at work, and with allegedly providing an altered obituary to get bereavement leave.
Pennsylvania: In January 2020 the Osteopathic Board entered an agreement with osteopathic physician Jason C. Ly (OP60536808) that requires him to pass a pain management examination before May 1, 2020. Ly was disciplined in 2018 in connection with his pain management practices.
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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