State disciplines health care providers - R21-11
For immediate release: May 27, 2021 (21-138)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Chelan County
In March 2021 the secretary of health denied an agency-affiliated counselor credential to Thomas Dean Grindle (CG61106722). In 2014 Grindle was convicted in North Carolina of death by vehicle. Grindle admitted to recent treatment for substance abuse issues.
Clark County
In March 2021 the secretary of health conditionally granted a massage therapist credential to Erin Kristine Rodgers (MA61055624) and ordered Rodgers to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Should she not be required to enter the program, Rodgers will be placed on probation for at least three years. In 2005 Rodgers was convicted of fourth-degree assault – domestic violence. In 2013 Rodgers was convicted of first-degree negligent driving, and of two counts of third-degree theft. Rodgers was also convicted of third-degree theft in 2014 and 2015. In 2015 Rodgers was also convicted of second-degree identity theft. In 2018 Rodgers was convicted of third-degree possession of stolen property.
King County
In March 2021 the Nursing Commission restricted the licensed practical nurse credential of Lisa M. Murphy (LP00052356) and ordered the nurse to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Should Murphy not be required to enter the program, she will be placed on probation for 12 months. Murphy didn’t cooperate with a substance abuse monitoring program.
In March 2021 the Certified Behavior Technician Program entered an agreement with certified behavior technician Erin Elizabeth Damitio (CB60810077) that requires Damitio to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Damitio, who disclosed active methamphetamine use to her employer, entered inpatient treatment and continues to seek treatment for substance use.
In April 2021 the secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against substance use disorder professional trainee Ana Amador Lopez (CO60258974).
In March 2021 the Veterinary Board modified an agreement with veterinarian Thomas C. Sullivan (VT00004977) to fine Sullivan $2,500 and to require Sullivan to pass an ethics course. In 2019 Sullivan agreed to pass an ethics course within six months.
In March 2021 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Hong-Mai T. Rongerude (PH00021041) with being unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety because of a physical or mental condition. Charges say Rongerude acknowledged not being fit to practice safely.
In April 2021 the Nursing Commission withdrew a statement of charges against registered nurse Michele Anne Bouvet (RN00124156).
In April 2021 the secretary of health ended conditions on the marriage and family therapist, and mental health counselor credentials of John Erik Burgess (MG60933918, MC60933890).
In April 2021 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the registered nurse credential of Sonni Lynn McFarland (RN60883193) and placed McFarland on probation for at least 24 months, along with conditions. McFarland’s license was suspended in 2020 because she withdrew medication for patients but didn’t document administering or disposing of it.
In March 2021 the secretary of health denied a surgical technologist credential to Katlin Marie Kellow (ST61094353). On her application, Kellow denied having had action taken against a health care license. A 2020 stipulation on her certified medical assistant credential required Kellow to enter a substance abuse monitoring program.
In April 2021 the Dental Commission charged dentist Shawn Keller (DE00009100) with unprofessional conduct. Keller allegedly didn’t meet the standard of care in treating multiple patients, kept inadequate records, delayed in submitting infection control tests to the lab, had no records verifying he and his employees had basic life support-cardiopulmonary resuscitation certifications, had no records to indicate he offered his employees hepatitis B vaccinations, didn’t post dental and dental assistant licenses, and prescribed medication to non-patients or didn’t document that they were patients.
In April 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program dismissed a statement of charges against certified nursing assistant Eyob Tesfayohannes (NC10078932).
In April 2021 the Dental Commission charged dentist Garrett Buck (DE60879751) with unprofessional conduct. Buck allegedly recommended unjustified treatment for a patient who, charges say, needlessly underwent general anesthesia.
In April 2021 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor Program agreed to reinstate the agency-affiliated counselor credential of Maureen Tsetska Gray (CG60798958) and placed Gray on probation for at least 12 months. Gray’s license was suspended in February 2020. Gray had a personal and sexual relationship with, and married, a former client.
In March 2021 the secretary of health denied a substance use disorder professional trainee credential to Marc Joshua Gerson (CO61083768). In 1999 Gerson was found not guilty by reason of insanity on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of first-degree arson. Gerson didn’t furnish proof of having undergone a required substance use evaluation.
Kitsap County
In March 2021 the secretary of health conditionally granted a marriage and family therapist associate credential to Renee Garcia Miller (MG60846071). In 2018 Miller surrendered her California marriage and family therapist license in connection with failure to supervise registered interns, failure to maintain patient confidentiality, and failure to comply with code and state regulations.
In April 2021 the secretary of health ended conditions on the substance use disorder professional trainee credential of Lauren Alexandra Hight (CO60893410).
Pierce County
In April 2021 the secretary of health ended probation for respiratory care practitioner Stuart E. Hanson Jr. (LR00002530).
In April 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Jesse J. Hill (NA60540266) with unprofessional conduct. In 2020 Hill was convicted of third-degree assault, as well as two counts of violation of a protection order – domestic violence. Charges say Hill didn’t respond to a health care investigator’s inquiry.
Snohomish County
In April 2021 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified medical assistant credential of Ajandra Kumar Singh (CM60610185).
In April 2021 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor and Mental Health Counselor programs entered an agreement with agency-affiliated counselor and mental health counselor associate Jodi Lyn Strittmatter (CG60702625, MC60796017) that reinstates her credentials and places her on probation for at least three years. Strittmatter admitted having a romantic relationship and sexual contact with a patient.
In April 2021 the Dental Commission charged dental assistant Michelle Nichole Mohney (D160387519) with unprofessional conduct. Charges say Mohney filled Valium prescriptions at three different pharmacies despite a “no refills” notation, and that Mohney also filled a prescription for another narcotic. Charges further assert the dentist whose signature purportedly appears on the prescriptions denied writing them and said her signature was forged.
Spokane County
In April 2021 the Dental Commission charged dentist Emerson Grant Godbolt (DE60548646) with unprofessional conduct. The dentist allegedly performed unjustified treatment on a patient.
Thurston County
In April 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program filed an amended statement of charges against registered nursing assistant Trisha Failauga (NA61024397) to add an allegation that she emitted an odor of methamphetamine while at work.
In April 2021 the Nursing Commission withdrew a statement of charges against registered nurse Alysha A. Parker (RN00161244).
Yakima County
In April 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Tre’jor La’nae Hyde (NA60753439) with unprofessional conduct. Hyde allegedly made about five unauthorized transactions with a client’s electronic benefits transfer card.
Out of State
Arizona: In March 2021 the Veterinary Board entered an agreement with veterinarian Laura J. Waters (VT00004179) that fines Waters $5,000 and restricts Waters from prescribing controlled substances. Waters must complete continuing education in prescribing controlled substances and in client communication. A client, who owned a dog Waters treated, died with a potentially fatal level of morphine. The client allegedly diverted morphine Waters prescribed for the dog. Waters didn’t meet the standard of care in treating the dog.
California: In March 2021 the secretary of health denied a massage therapist credential to Shufeng Zhang (MA61014018). On her application, Zhang denied having had action taken against a health care license. Zhang’s Oregon massage therapist credential was suspended in 2019 and revoked in 2020.
Kansas: In March 2021 the Pharmacy Commission denied a pharmacist credential to Joseph Malika Muroka (PH61064715), whose Kansas pharmacist license was placed on probation in 2019 in connection with diverting medication.
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.