For immediate release: January 30, 2020  (20-013)

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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against health care providers in our state.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 December 2019 the secretary of health denied a pharmacy assistant credential to Kaitee Jolene Mixon (VB60555579). In 2011 Mixon was convicted of fourth-degree assault. In 2018 Mixon was convicted of fourth-degree assault-domestic violence.

In January 2020 the Physical Therapy Board charged physical therapy assistant Bret Aaron Streeter (P160033462) with unprofessional conduct. Streeter allegedly violated probationary terms by providing in-home treatment without direct supervision to an 81-year-old severely debilitated patient who subsequently died. Streeter allegedly was abrasive and rough with the patient, and verbally berated the patient and the patient’s spouse.

Clallam County

In December 2019 the secretary of health denied a home care aide credential to Ciana Misha DeBerry (HM60684127). In 2019 the state Department of Social and Health Services disqualified DeBerry from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children, thus prohibiting her from home care aide certification.

Island County

In January 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Andrew T. Lai (DE00009768) with unprofessional conduct. Lai allegedly tested the sensitivity of a patient’s teeth with a compressed gas used to dust computers. After the patient sought treatment for sensitivity on one tooth, the dentist allegedly placed a crown on a different tooth. Lai allegedly didn’t document communications with the patient about treatment problems.

King County

In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Katherine Veronica Gaudette (RN00174782, AP60464002) with unprofessional conduct. In 2018 Gaudette was convicted of first-degree criminal trespass.

In January 2020 the Medical Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against medical assistant-phlebotomist Jason Stevens (PC60350695) to reflect that the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended his registered nurse license in 2019.

In January 2020 the Dental Commission charged dentist Steven M. Kim (DE00007445) with unprofessional conduct. An unannounced infection control inspection of Kim’s dental office allegedly revealed at least nine rules violations.

In January 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Betsy K. Wallace (MA00021204) with unprofessional conduct. The massage therapist allegedly didn’t furnish proof of having completed required continuing education.

In January 2020 the secretary of health reinstated the substance use disorder professional trainee credential of Misty Ann Bjorland (CO60594426). Bjorland’s license was suspended in 2016 because she didn’t participate in a required substance abuse monitoring program and didn’t furnish proof of having completed required continuing education.

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Judy W. Kinuthia (NC10097494) with unprofessional conduct. While employed at a skilled nursing facility, Kinuthia allegedly reported for work while under the influence of alcohol. The nursing assistant allegedly didn’t respond to a health care investigator’s inquiry.

Kitsap County

In January 2020 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Sarah Tripp (CM60811739) with unprofessional conduct. Tripp allegedly administered incorrect vaccine to a patient, and didn’t respond by the deadline to a Department of Health inquiry.

Kittitas County

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant and Surgical Technologist programs entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant and surgical technologist Patrick M. Ross (NC10056556, ST00003398) that requires him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. Ross tested positive for medications for which he had no prescriptions.

Klickitat County

In January 2020 the Nursing Commission conditionally granted a registered nurse credential to Derek Alan Greenwood (RN60666998) and ordered him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. The nurse must comply with Oregon probationary terms mandated in connection with a criminal history.

Pierce County

In December 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified nursing assistant credential of April Bell, also known as April Thompson (NC10055870).

In January 2020 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Denetra Ali (CM60364904) with unprofessional conduct. Ali allegedly didn’t respond by the deadline to a Department of Health inquiry about a complaint lodged against her.

In January 2020 the Veterinary Board charged veterinary medication clerk Amber C. Hoffer (VM60846537) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that when Hoffer visited a veterinary practice for a job interview, she took a $100 bill from the cash register – a theft captured on video and reported to police. Hoffer allegedly paid back the money after police intervened. When Hoffer applied for her credential, she allegedly didn’t inform the board she had been charged with felony misappropriation of postal funds, nor did she inform the board of her subsequent conviction about three weeks after she received her license. Charges further say Hoffer didn’t reveal to her prospective employer that she was on federal probation for the felony conviction. Hoffer allegedly didn’t respond to a request for information.

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant and Respiratory Therapist programs charged registered nursing assistant and respiratory therapist Deborah Bussell-Chambers (NA60186045, LR00003443) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say that after a social worker observed signs of impairment, including glassy eyes and slurred speech, Bussell-Chambers underwent testing for a substance for which she had no prescription.

In January 2020 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse credential of Susan Guevara Cuellar (RN00122556).

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Joseph G. Price (NC10081021) with unprofessional conduct. Price allegedly sexually assaulted a co-worker in the co-worker’s home.

Snohomish County

In December 2019 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified nursing assistant credential of Allison Rae Washburn (NC10016064).

Spokane County

In January 2020 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor and Nursing Assistant programs entered an agreement with agency-affiliated counselor, registered nursing assistant, and certified nursing assistant Wayne Andrew Black Jr. (CG60760818, NA60813883, NC60819857) that places him on probation for at least three years. Black must pass a professional boundaries course, and pass examinations in boundaries scenario and in unprofessional conduct scenario. Black didn’t complete and pass a previously required course.

In January 2020 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Xiulan Chen (MA60804406) with unprofessional conduct. The massage therapist allegedly began a sexual relationship with a former client.

In January 2020 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Diana M. Sage (RN00137344) with unprofessional conduct. Sage declined to participate in a required substance abuse monitoring program.

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Brandi Marie-Ann Farnworth (NA60676120) with unprofessional conduct. In 2019 Farnsworth was convicted of second-degree assault.

Thurston County

In January 2020 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Julie Shipe (NA60545635) with unprofessional conduct. Shipe allegedly didn’t respond by the deadline to an inquiry about a report of unprofessional conduct related to financial exploitation of clients.

In January 2020 the secretary of health entered an agreement with physical therapy assistant Christopher Joseph Edwards (P160409046) that places him on probation for at least two years, and fines him $500. The physical therapy assistant must complete a course in professional boundaries and risk management. Edwards had an intimate and sexual relationship with a former patient.

Whatcom County

In January 2020 the Naturopathy Board ended conditions on the naturopathic physician credential of V. Joseph Wessels Jr. (NT00000376).                                                                                          

Out of State

Colorado: In January 2020 the Pharmacy Commission entered an agreement with Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy Inc. (CF00059001) under which it may not engage in preparation of compounded medications for at least 12 months. The company violated multiple compounding rules and standards.