For immediate release: May 18, 2022 (22-069)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Franklin County
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission granted with conditions an advanced registered nurse practitioner license to Jonathan Nolan Hale (AP61271241-NP). Hale agreed to participate in a substance use monitoring program.
King County
In April 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy assistant Jocelyn Emily Kraves (VB61122245) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly diverting a controlled substance while working at a pharmacy.
In April 2022 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Lyudmila Aleksandrovna Sharak (CM60526894) with unprofessional conduct after she allegedly had difficulty walking in a straight line and had slurred speech while working at a clinic.
In April 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the interim medical assistant license of Brooke Traci Neal (IC60955200).
Lewis County
In March 2022 the secretary of health denied a registered medical assistant credential to Sequoiah Christal Fields (MR61246229) after she failed to agree to conditions on the license. She did not complete the sanctions required by an earlier default order imposed after she used a client’s debit/credit card to purchase personal items.
Mason County
In March 2022 the secretary of health denied the home care aide application of Alison Helen Clark (HM61054049) because she was placed on the Department of Social and Health Services’ registry of those disqualified from working with vulnerable people in 2021.
Pierce County
In March 2022 the Mental Health Counselor Program ordered that the license of mental health counselor Amanda Anna Boley (LH60429375) be placed on probation for 24 months. She also was ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and revise her consent agreement. Boley violated documentation and disclosure requirements for a patient’s treatment records.
In April 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program, Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, and Nursing Assistant Program charged Tania A. Rodgers (CG60869869, CO60881295, NC10061998) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly having an intimate and sexual relationship with a patient. Rodgers also allegedly misrepresented and omitted facts during the investigation of the allegations.
Spokane County
In April 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and Medication Assistant Endorsement Program charged Janina Gabrielle Schmalfeldt (NC60669862, ME60785583) with unprofessional conduct. Schmalfeldt, who holds a certified nursing assistant credential with a medication assistant endorsement, allegedly took a patient’s hydrocodone pain medication for her own use at the assisted living facility where she worked.
In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Christa LeAnne Hunter (CG61115361). Hunter agreed to at least 12 months’ probation on her license, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. In 2019 she was convicted of taking a motor vehicle without permission, a felony, in Spokane County Superior Court.
Thurston County
In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Joshua Tyler Christensen (CO61260470). Christensen agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least two years, professional supervision of his practice, and quarterly performance evaluations. He was convicted of several felonies and gross misdemeanors between 2010 and 2018, including assault and driving while under the influence.
In April 2022 the secretary of health ordered Samantha Kaczmarek to stop engaging in massage therapy in Washington. Kaczmarek has never held a license to practice as a massage therapist in Washington.
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.
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