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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Benton County

In February 2022 the Board of Physical Therapy dismissed charges against physical therapist Nicolas Charles Marsh (PT60243012).

Clark County

In February 2022 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliate counselor application of Thomas Hildreth (CG61114763). Hildreth was convicted in 2019 of trafficking in stolen property in Clark County Superior Court.

Cowlitz County

In January 2022 the secretary of health denied an agency affiliated counselor license application to Nikkea Natasha Marin (CG61240061). Marin was convicted of multiple gross misdemeanors, and felonies, including identity theft and burglary, between 2007 and 2019.

King County

In February 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Molly A. Gleason (LP60036935) with unprofessional conduct. In September 2021, Gleason entered a substance use monitoring program in lieu of discipline after Gleason allegedly withdrew oxycodone at her workplace for her personal use. In November 2021, Gleason withdrew from the substance use monitoring program.

In January 2022 the Nursing Commission denied the application of Lidia Tadese Gebreab (RN61188105) to be credentialed as a registered nurse. Gebreab failed to show that she had graduated from a licensed nursing education program.

In February 2022 the Medical Assistant Program charged Jimmy S. Howard (MR60693466) with unprofessional conduct. Howard was convicted in February 2022 of child molestation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes in Kitsap Superior Court. He was sentenced to 31 months of confinement.

In February 2022 the Board of Naturopathy and naturopathic physician John F. Ruhland (NT00000884) entered an agreement that requires conditions on his license, including oversight, inspections, restrictions on his treating cancer patients and medications, and a $10,000 fine. Ruhland’s practice fell below the standard of care in multiple ways, including having expired rescue medications, failures to obtain informed patient consent, and administration of medication to a patient without knowing the details of the medication.

In February 2022 the Veterinary Board of Governors reinstated the veterinary technician license of Audrey Heather Forth (AT00002371).

In January 2022 the secretary of health denied the physical therapist license application of Michael David Harrington II (PT61206982) for at least two years. Harrington’s physical therapist license was suspended for 18 months in both North Carolina and Texas in 2020.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission and licensed practical nurse Lisa M. Murphy (LP00052356) entered an agreement where Murphy agreed to continue to actively participate in a substance use monitoring program. In March 2021, the Nursing Commission ordered Murphy to participate in a substance use monitoring program. In August 2021, Murphy worked as a nurse without the required approval of the program.

Kitsap County

In February 2022 the Veterinary Board of Governors charged veterinarian E Zoltan Tusnadi (VT00004055) with unprofessional conduct. Tusnadi failed to comply with a 2020 agreement that he would pay $150 to the Board in reimbursement costs and complete 30 missing hours of continuing education.

Pierce County

In February 2022 the Veterinary Board of Governors charged veterinary technician Melissa Anne Kelly (AT60084856) with unprofessional conduct. Kelly allegedly stole prescription medications and medical supplies and was charged with theft in Tacoma Municipal Court.

In February 2022 the secretary of health ordered Michele Williams to stop engaging in registered nursing conduct. She has never held a license but represented herself as a registered nurse by signing documents with “RN” next to her name. When asked by an employer to provide her license number to administer vaccines, she gave her son’s nursing license number.

In February 2022 the Radiologic Technologist Program reinstated with conditions the radiologic technologist license of Michael Robert Malley (RT60111099). He must continue to participate in a substance use program.

In February 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program placed the registered nursing assistant license of Susan Wanjiru Mbuchi (NA60989089) on probation for at least two years. Mbuchi was placed on the Department of Social and Health Services long-term care abuse and neglect registry after failing to call 911 when a patient at the adult home where she worked fell and hit his head.

Snohomish County

In January 2022 the Pharmacy Commission denied the pharmacy assistant application of Alieu Drammeh (VB61128826). Drammeh’s license as a registered nurse was revoked with no right to seek reinstatement in 2012. In June 2021 the secretary of health ordered Drammeh to permanently stop practicing nursing in Washington state after he allegedly stole the identity of a licensed registered nurse and used that identity to get hired for nursing jobs.

In February 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Brenda Elaine Benjamin (RN00106408) entered an agreement that requires her to contact and participate in a substance use program. Benjamin was impaired by alcohol while working as a school nurse.

In January 2022 the Pharmacy Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license application of Joshua Jeffrey Miller (VB61226334). Miller did not respond to a proposed agreement that would have put conditions on his license. Miller denied he had past convictions on his license application but was convicted of driving while under the influence in 2018.

In February 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated registered nurse Katelin Renee Pinkerton (RN60839262) who agreed to the conditions on her license, including participation in a substance use monitoring program.

Thurston County

In February 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse credential of Errin Brooke Garcia (LP60402191).