For immediate release: February 19, 2020  (20-020)

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.

Grant County

In January 2020 the Home Care Aide Program entered an agreement with home care aide Austin Drummonds (HM60872474) that permanently revokes his credential. In 2019 Drummonds was convicted of two counts of third-degree child rape-domestic violence.

King County

In January the Veterinary Board indefinitely suspended the veterinary technician credential of Katie Elizabeth Sorlien (AT60222792), who didn’t complete required continuing education despite affirming otherwise.

Lincoln County

In January 2020 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant hemodialysis technician Donna Lee Kwiatek (HT60432463) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. After determining that Kwiatek financially exploited a vulnerable adult, the state Department of Social and Health Services placed Kwiatek on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. Kwiatek can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Pierce County

In January 2020 the secretary of health suspended for at least five years the registered nursing assistant credential of Shauna Michelle Averill (NA60833935). Averill had a sexual relationship with a vulnerable adult patient at a retirement center where she worked.

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Angela Vanessa Nduta Ngugi (NA60775698) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services, which determined that Ngugi neglected a vulnerable adult, placed her on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. She can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Spokane County

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Mary Nkirote Muthamia (NC60374408) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. The state Department of Social and Health Services placed her on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry after determining that she neglected a vulnerable adult. That placement bars her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Thurston County

In January 2020 the secretary of health suspended for at least five years the registered nursing assistant credential of Erin Rose Manemann (NA60472016). Manemann worked at a supported living facility where she fed a client at least two crushed grapes. Protocols required the client to receive a strict blenderized diet because of a high choking risk. The client choked and had breathing problems. Manemann cleared the client’s throat. She didn’t follow protocols and seek follow-up care. The client died later that day after having further coughing and difficulty breathing. The state Department of Social and Health Services determined that Manemann neglected a vulnerable adult, and placed her on its long-term care abuse and neglect registry. That prohibits her from being employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.