State disciplines health care providers-R21-14
For immediate release: June 17, 2021 (21-153)
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Clark County
In April 2021 the secretary of health granted the release of conditions for substance use disorder professional trainee Carl Albert Robinson (CG60881922).
Franklin County
In May 2021 the Pharmacy Commission modified an agreed order against pharmacist Serina Lynn Ferrer (PH60172317). Ferrer must continue complying with a substance abuse monitoring program, and sign a release allowing the program to provide the commission with records and reports pertaining to her participation and compliance with the program.
King County
In May 2021 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor John Babich (CH00002224) with unprofessional conduct. Babich allegedly failed to provide a response in a timely manner to a health care investigator regarding five complaints made against him alleging unprofessional conduct.
In May 2021 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Sadie Bylsma Betito (AP60879599, RN60879598) with unprofessional conduct. In 2020 Betito surrendered her California registered nurse license, public health nurse certificate, nurse practitioner certificate, nurse practitioner certificate, nurse practitioner furnishing certificate, and clinical nurse specialist certificate to the California Board of Registered Nursing after Betito allegedly failed to document patient care and the justification for prescriptions, and failed to follow up on lab results.
In May 2021 the secretary of health granted the application of substance use disorder professional Michael Alan Mitchell-Preston (CO61146724) and placed his license on probation for at least three years. Mitchell-Preston was found guilty of fourth-degree assault in 2003 and possession of dangerous weapons in 2005; convicted of possession of a dangerous weapon in 2007; first-degree theft in 2010; first-degree rendering criminal assistance in 2010; second-degree vehicle prowling in 2012; possession of a stolen vehicle and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle in 2012; obstructing a public servant and possession of auto theft tools in 2013; reckless driving in 2013; first-degree theft in 2017; and unlawful possession of a controlled substance-methamphetamine in 2017.
In May 2021 the secretary of health reinstated the license of certified nursing assistant Peter W. Eng (NC60116761).
Mason County
In May 2021 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Tracy Ree Pasic (HM60752843) with unprofessional conduct. Pasic allegedly worked under the influence of alcohol while caring for a patient at an in-home services agency. Charges state that Pasic admitted to alcohol use, enrolled and participated in an alcohol abuse treatment program.
Pierce County
In May 2021 the Nursing Commission ended probation for licensed practical nurse Keziah N. Kimbowa (LP60726782).
In May 2021 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Laura Marie Smith (RN00101348) with unprofessional conduct. Smith received a number of checks addressed to her from her father and negotiated the checks lawfully. Smith allegedly unlawfully amended and re-negotiated some of the checks without her father’s permission and with the intent to permanently deprive him of the use and benefit of those funds.
In May 2021 the secretary of health granted the release of terms and conditions for marriage and family therapist and mental health counselor Bryce Robert Wilson (LF60206020, LH00010388).
Snohomish County
In May 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program ended probation for certified nursing assistant Khaddy F. Janneh (NC60143356).
Spokane County
In May 2021 the Psychology Board granted the release of terms and conditions against psychologist Theodore G. Sneed (PY60516246).
Thurston County
In May 2021 the Agency-Affiliated Counselor Program charged registered agency-affiliated counselor Jeremy Samuel Kochrian (CG60148814) with unprofessional conduct. While providing functional family therapy to a client and her juvenile son, Kochrian allegedly exchanged sexually explicit text messages with the client and had sex with her on multiple occasions.
In May 2021 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Carolyn L. Shows (HM60774986) with unprofessional conduct. The Department of Health received an unprofessional conduct report against the home care aide. The allegations were related to financial exploitation of a resident. A written explanation related to this allegation was requested and Shows didn’t provide a full and complete explanation by the deadline.
Out of State
California: In May 2021 the Nursing Assistant Program withdrew the statement of charges against DeWayne Dai Dela Guerra (NC10052564).
South Carolina: In May 2021 the Nursing Commission granted the license reinstatement of registered nurse Sarah Adair Harris (RN60457004). Harris must participate in a substance abuse monitoring program and complete a Commission-approved refresher class.
Wisconsin: In May 2021 the Osteopathic Board of Medicine and Surgery charged osteopathic physician Mark F. Guilfoyle (OP60703409) with unprofessional conduct. Guilfoyle allegedly was reprimanded by the New Hampshire Board of Medicine for practicing below the standard of care from 2015 through 2018 by failing to detect breast cancer in a number of patients who were later diagnosed with breast cancer. In addition to the reprimand, charges state that Guilfoyle was fined and is permanently restricted from reading and interpreting mammograms in New Hampshire.
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.
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
###
