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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 March 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the chemical dependency professional trainee license (now called substance use disorder professional trainee license) of Sally Ann Hart (CO60903587).

Cowlitz County

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Jeannine Marie Hajek (IC60451178) of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Hajek allegedly worked as a medical assistant in Washington, though she has never had a license to do so. She has an expired medical assistant interim certification.

Jefferson County

In March 2022 the Social Worker Program charged independent clinical social worker Shannon M. Tierney (LW00007915) with unprofessional conduct. Tierney failed to provide a written explanation to a Department of Health investigator.

King County

In February 2022 the secretary of health ordered Tameka Louise Hammon to stop acting as an advanced registered nurse practitioner unless she obtains a proper license. Hammon does not hold a license to practice as an advanced registered nurse and never has had that credential.

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Sakchai Sribuaphuan of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Sribuaphuan allegedly worked as a massage therapist though he has never had a massage therapist credential in Washington.

In March 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Romulo Luarca Inocencio agreed to an order that requires Inocencio to stop practicing dentistry and pay a fine of $3,000. Inocencio has never had a license to practice dentistry in Washington but owns a company called AIM Dental Associates, Inc.

In March 2022 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery ended the conditions on the license of osteopath Mark A. Scott (OP00001683).

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliate counselor license to Lindsay Cathleen Nemeyer (CG61215841). Nemeyer agreed to the conditions, which include two years’ probation, supervision, and performance evaluations. In 2016, Nemeyer was convicted of attempted identity theft in King County Superior Court. In 2017, she was convicted of two counts of identity theft in Pierce County Superior Court.

In March 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Shirley Onyeamechl Okpalobi (LP60699826) with unprofessional conduct. Okpalobi allegedly misrepresented her education to obtain a registered nurse credential and misrepresented facts during an investigation into that degree.

In February 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Nicolle Rae Steiger (CO61245838). Steiger agreed to probation on her credential for two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. She was convicted of multiple felonies and gross misdemeanors between 2015 and 2018, including identity theft and theft.

In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Zackery Wayne Iko Rule (NA61117986) with unprofessional conduct after he was arrested for driving under the influence and granted deferred prosecution with conditions.

Kitsap County

In March 2022 the Social Worker Program, the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program and the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged Gregory Charles Lewis (CG60686826, CO60686837, SC60704380) with unprofessional conduct. Lewis, an independent clinical social worker associate, chemical dependency professional trainee (now substance use disorder professional trainee), and agency affiliated counselor, allegedly contacted a patient’s mother outside of business hours and attempted to hug, touch, and kiss her romantically.

Lewis County

In March 2022 the Massage Therapist Program and massage therapist Stacy Jo Dagnon (MA00008770) agreed that she would pay a $250 fine, complete four hours of continuing education in law and ethics, and take the jurisprudence exam within a year. Dagnon treated a client while her credentials were expired.

Pend Oreille County

In March 2022 the Dental Commission charged James Gary Cool (DE00005239, CS10000010), a dentist with a moderate sedation and parenteral agents permit, with unprofessional conduct. Cool allegedly failed to properly treat a patient whose teeth he extracted and did not correctly document the treatment.

Pierce County

In March 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Nursing Assistant Program amended charges against agency affiliated counselor and certified nursing assistant Devin Tavares Scott (NC60456202, CG60949322) with unprofessional conduct. After a patient at Western State Hospital where Scott worked threw a yogurt near his feet, Scott allegedly responded with aggressive contact resulting in minor injuries to the patient’s hand, elbow, neck, and face.

In March 2022 the Radiological Technician Program charged radiologic technician Tony Mandel Johnson (RT60040761) with unprofessional conduct. Johnson was convicted of two counts of child molestation in Pierce County Superior Court for molesting a female minor between the ages of nine and 11 between 2016 and 2019.

In March 2022 the Veterinary Board entered an agreement with veterinarian Corey L. Michel (VT61021078). Michel must complete 20 hours of continuing education and pay a fine of $5,000, among other conditions. He is also not allowed to perform ovariohysterectomy procedures until he successfully completes continuing education courses. Michel’s treatment of an English bulldog fell below the standard of care, resulting in the dog’s death.

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions the agency affiliate counselor license of Kayla Rebecca Ann Staudt-Olivera (CG61226771). Staudt-Olivera agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least three years, supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. Staudt-Olivera was convicted of several felonies in Pierce County Superior Court, including assault and theft in 2018.

Skagit County

In March 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Tori R. Springer (CO60942051) with unprofessional conduct. Springer allegedly had a sexual relationship with a patient.