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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 Chiropractic Commission denied the chiropractic x-ray technician license application of Chaunte Arlene Andrews (CX61199334). Andrews, who was charged with driving while under the influence in 2019 and 2020, did not agree to the conditions on the license.

Cowlitz County

In April 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the agency affiliated counselor and independent clinical social worker associate licenses of Joshua James Furlong (SC61045655, CG60869748).

In April 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Katie Marie Mayfield (CG61240467). Mayfield agreed to the conditions, which include at least two years’ probation, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. In 2018, Mayfield was convicted of possession with intent to deliver heroin and making a false or misleading statement to a public servant in Cowlitz County Superior Court.

Island County

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions the agency affiliated counselor license application of Todd Lincoln Berlandi (CG61243705). Berlandi has prior convictions for driving while under the influence, the violation of a protective order, and promoting prostitution.

King County

In April 2022 the Dental Commission ended probation on the dentist license of Kaliska G. Pacheco (DE00011062).

In April 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the x-ray technician license of Jason Edward Belvill (XT60761178).

In April 2022 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Michael Wayne Steel (MA60320409) with unprofessional conduct. Steel allegedly made sexually inappropriate comments and inappropriately touched a patient, which resulted in criminal charges in Kent Municipal Court.

In April 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program vacated an order denying the agency affiliated counselor license of Kamaria Lorane Benge (CG61221328) and granted Benge the credential with conditions.

Kitsap County

In April 2022 the Mental Health Counselor Associate Program charged mental health counselor associate David Scott Secrest (MC60842091) with unprofessional conduct. Secrest allegedly had a romantic relationship with a patient and did not keep records of the patient’s sessions.

Pierce County

In April 2022 the Home Care Aide and Nursing Assistant Programs charged home care aide and registered nursing assistant Lavonya Sherice Camp (HM60927786, NA60997182) with unprofessional conduct after Camp was charged with theft and trafficking in stolen property by the Pierce County prosecutor’s office. Camp allegedly stole $40,000 in jewelry from the mother of a patient in whose home Camp worked. 

In April 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the registered medical assistant license of Brittany Amber McElliott (MR61155046).

Snohomish County

In March 2022 the secretary of health denied the emergency medical technician application of Matthew Ron Schwittay (ES61161504) because he did not obtain a required substance use evaluation.

In April 2022 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation on the pharmacist license of Saikrishna Arumilli (PH00039402).

In March 2022 the Pharmacy Commission ended probation on the pharmacist license of Elaine Watson Rundgren (PH60552395).

In April 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Dana Diana Jackson (RN00122852) with unprofessional conduct. Jackson allegedly failed to comply with a substance use monitoring contract.

In April 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Steven Roy Miller of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Miller allegedly advertised on his Facebook page that he was a psychologist practicing hypnotherapy and marriage counseling though he doesn’t hold a license for any of those credentials.

Spokane County

In April 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Kristena Elisha Buege (NC61040370) with unprofessional conduct. Buege allegedly took oxycodone pills from a patient at the long-term care facility where she worked and tested positive for controlled substances.

Stevens County

In April 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Jamie Jo Sillett (NC61188089, NA61040631) with unprofessional conduct. Sillett allegedly took a patient’s oxycodone pills.

Yakima County

In March 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Miguel Angel Bautista (CO61191490). Bautista agreed to the conditions, which place his credential on probation for at least three years, require professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. Bautista was convicted of several offenses between 2011 and 2020 including possession of stolen property and domestic violence.

In April 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions the registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant licenses of Michelle Diane Reyes (NC61243806, NA61235024). Reyes agreed to the conditions, which include participation in a substance use program. In May 2021, Reyes took hydrocodone belonging to a patient for her own use.

Out of State

California: In April 2022 the secretary of health placed the psychologist license of Pablo Armando Mejia (PY60288505) on probation for two years and required he take an ethics class, among other conditions. Mejia had a romantic and sexual relationship with a patient’s mother and had a child with her.