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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” 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 February 2024 the Veterinary Board of Governors and Mark Joel Burton (VT00003045) entered an agreed order on his veterinarian license. The license is on probation for at least one year, during which time Burton’s patient records and practice may be audited. Burton must pay a $3,000 fine and complete seven hours of continuing education in the areas of medication/pain management/steroid use, skin condition, and record keeping and communication. Between 2011 and 2021, on multiple occasions, Burton administered and prescribed treatments to a dog that were contraindicated, or safer options were available. He also failed to explain the side effects of some of the treatments to the dog’s owner.

King County

In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Bruce Everett Beauchamp (RN60585595) provided he meets the relevant regulatory requirements for credentialing.

In February 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission granted Jeremy GJ. Li (PH61475366) a license to practice as a pharmacist with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least 12 months. In September 2023, Li entered a stipulation to informal disposition, where he admitted to making unauthorized, personal purchases with a credit card that did not belong to him.

In February 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission and Kuzi S. Hsue (DE00006736) entered an agreed order on his dentist license. Hsue must allow unannounced audits of his patient records and pay a $5,000 fine. Additionally, Hsue must pass a jurisprudence examination and complete 34 hours of continuing education in the areas of narcotics, pharmacology, recordkeeping, patient rights, and law and ethics. Hsue must also obtain a professional assessment and submit to the recommendations of said assessment. Following the assessment, Hsue must participate in a behavioral resource program. In December 2021, Hsue extracted 20 teeth from a patient’s mouth instead of six teeth per the agreement with the patient. Hsue did not acknowledge the mistake during the procedure or post-op. Hsue did not have complete or accurate patient records, nor did he provide post-op care instructions to the patient.

Kitsap County

In February 2024 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Allison Barkhurst (CO60889656) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Barkhurst failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding a complaint alleging unauthorized use or abuse of a controlled substance.

Pierce County

In February 2024 the secretary of health and Nikilauni Rae Simon-Lovett entered an agreed order in which Simon-Lovett must permanently cease and desist from all practice of medicine in Washington state unless she obtains a proper license. Simon-Lovett must also pay a $1,000 fine. Between February 2020 and November 2022, Simon-Lovett provided lip filling services using a non-FDA approved filler. Simon-Lovett does not and has never held a physician credential in Washington state.

In February 2024 the secretary of health released Jason Norman Shrum (HM61133755) from the terms and conditions on his home care aide license.

Skagit County

In February 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board and Michael B. Riojas (PO00000735) entered an agreed order on his podiatric physician and surgeon license. Riojas must pass an ethics course, self-report for six months, and pay a $10,000 fine. Between 2017 and 2018, Riojas prescribed medication to patients and received money in return for directing the prescriptions to certain pharmacies.

Snohomish County

In January 2024 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee license applications of Amy Lynn Nicholson (CG61384146, CO61510344). In March 2021, Nicholson was convicted of fourth-degree assault-domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor.