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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.

Benton County

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Brooke Lynn Dahlke (CG61509958) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for four years, during which time Dahlke must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In November 2022, Dahlke was convicted three times of theft, all gross misdemeanors. In March 2021, Dahlke was convicted of theft, reckless endangerment, second-degree driving with license suspended, all gross misdemeanors, and second-degree criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. In September 2019, Dahlke was convicted of second-degree false reporting, a class C felony.

Clallam County

In February 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program issued a cease-and-desist order to Frank Henry Springob (CH00001149). Springob must permanently cease and desist from practicing chiropractic medicine in Washington state unless he obtains the proper license. Since at least 2017, Springob used the Morphogenic Field Technique with clients while his license was suspended.

Island County

In March 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission withdrew the notice of intent to suspend the pharmacy license of SOAS LLC (CF60341896).

King County

In March 2024 the Medical Assistant Program charged medical assistant-phlebotomist Kristie Noelle Pogline (PC61206645) with unprofessional conduct. Due to instances between April 2022 and June 2022, Pogline was charged with reckless endangerment, a gross misdemeanor; endangerment with a controlled substance, a class B felony; speeding; and dangerously distracted driving. Pogline admitted to using methamphetamine and fentanyl including an instance with a minor.

In February 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged chiropractor Raymon Kooner (CH00034656) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between November 2015 and November 2020, Kooner owned a chiropractic clinic that advertised and/or billed for treatments outside the scope of chiropractic practice.

In March 2024 the secretary of health released Samantha Lynn McNeff (XT61407699) from the terms and conditions on her x-ray technician license.

In March 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Jodi A. Pantley (RN61161597) with unprofessional conduct. In May 2023, the Florida State Board of Nursing suspended Pantley’s registered nurse license after she failed to comply with an order requiring Pantley to submit a mental examination.

Kitsap County

In January 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board charged podiatric physician and surgeon David Monroe Gent (PO00000724) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Gent prescribed medication to patients and in return received money for directing the prescriptions to certain pharmacies.

Pierce County

In March 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner Darren Terry Freeman (RN60607116, AP60607117) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in May 2023, Freeman was convicted of two counts of third-degree assault, a class C felony, and two counts of violation of a protection order, a gross misdemeanor.

In March 2024 the secretary of health dismissed the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against mental health counselor Dathan J. Lane (LH60531446).

In February 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission charged dental assistant Angela Marie Parker (D160036087) with unprofessional conduct. In April 2023, Parker allegedly worked as a dental assistant with an expired license.

In March 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission and Dennis Eugene Smith (CH00001762) entered an agreed order on his chiropractor license. Smith must pass a jurisprudence examination and complete 12 hours of continuing education in the areas of documentation of care and orthopedic testing. Smith must also pay a $700 fine. In November 2021, Smith incompetently performed a test that caused pain and injury to the patient and failed to keep accurate documentation of the treatment provided.

Spokane County

In January 2024 the secretary of health denied the home care aide license application of Darin Reed Jess Reed (HM61263359). In January 2024, it was determined that Reed would need appropriate supervision if working in a direct care giving position. However, in Washington state, home care aides need to be able to work independently outside of direct supervision.

Thurston County

In March 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Sarah Marie Sawyer (CM61215408) of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Between October 2020 and July 2021, Sawyer worked as a certified medical assistant without a proper license.

In January 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission charged dentist Austin R. Smith (DE00006935) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in August 2020, Smith practiced below the standard of care during a patient’s procedure by failing to maintain a sufficient level of local anesthesia, failing to sufficiently remove decay before placing crowns, and placing crowns with open margins.

Yakima County

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Melissa Dee Pease (CO61510390) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for two years during which time Pease must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In June 2017, Pease was convicted of theft of a firearm, a class B felony, second-degree possession of stolen property, seven counts of second-degree vehicle prowling – third of subsequent conviction, second-degree trafficking in stolen property, and second-degree theft, all class C felonies.

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Michelle Diane Reyes (ST61505570) a license to practice as a surgical technologist with conditions on the license. Reyes must continue to comply with the conditions of a 2022 agreement to practice with conditions. In April 2022, Reyes entered into an agreement to practice with conditions.