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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 April 2022 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor application of Tricia Elizabeth Tyner (CG61203426). Tyner, who has a 2018 identity theft conviction in a California Superior Court, did not return an agreement requiring conditions on her license.

Clark County

In May 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged Rachel Johnson (CG61104840, CO60862568) with unprofessional conduct. Johnson, who has substance use disorder professional trainee and agency affiliated counselor licenses, allegedly had a romantic relationship with a patient at the corrections facility where she worked and conducted herself inappropriately.

In April 2022 the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant application of Alicia Ann Branum (NA61226818). Branum, who was charged with driving while under the influence in August in Battle Ground Municipal Court, did not provide a substance use evaluation report with her application as required.

Cowlitz County

In May 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Kendra Dawn Piper (CO60986555) with unprofessional conduct. In August, Piper was convicted of multiple felonies in Cowlitz County Superior Court, including theft, possession of stolen property, and forgery. 

In April 2022 the Dental Commission reinstated with conditions the dental assistant license of Alesia Marie Richardson (D160056631). Richardson agreed to comply with a substance use program and submit quarterly performance reports.

Franklin County

In May 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Kelly Marie Martin (RN00155102) with unprofessional conduct. Martin allegedly appeared impaired at her job as a school nurse, exhibiting, among other behaviors, slurred speech and difficulty filling out forms. Martin also allegedly submitted to a drug screen, which showed positive for amphetamine and benzodiazepine, medications that Martin had prescriptions for.

In May 2022 the Nursing Commission lifted the suspension of registered nurse Elvia G. Lothrop (RN60023184), provided Lothrup complies with several conditions, including participating in a substance use monitoring program.

King County

In April the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant and the agency affiliated counselor applications of Reachny Chea Chau (NA61262042, CG61265044). Chau, who was convicted of attempted identity theft and theft in King County Superior Court in September, did not return a required agreement placing conditions on the license.

In April 2022 the secretary of health denied the home care aide application of Keilani M. Luxmore (HM61028104) for medical reasons.

Kitsap County

In May 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions the registered nursing assistant application of Andrew Steven Wilmarth (NA61213898). Wilmarth agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least three years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. He was convicted of several gross misdemeanors, including in June 2021 of driving while under the influence.

Pierce County

In April 2022 the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant application of Megan Renae Cass (NA61213144). Cass failed to return an agreement that required conditions on the license. The conditions were required because of a prior deferred prosecution agreement that required she complete two years of an alcohol outpatient program.

In April 2022 the Pharmacy Commission denied the pharmacy assistant application of Azarias Lamar Tannis (VB61157646). Tannis was convicted of driving with a suspended or revoked license in 2010 and forgery and attempting to elude a police vehicle in 2002.

In May 2022 the Dental Commission ended conditions on the dental assistant license of Karla Garcia (D160689122).

Snohomish County

In May 2022 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Brandon Lee Groesbeck (MA60313574) with unprofessional conduct because he was convicted of indecent liberties, a felony sex offense, in Snohomish County Superior Court.

In May 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Margaret Arlene Chesney (NC10052514) with unprofessional conduct. Chesney allegedly modified and forged letters attesting to the status of her credential.

In May 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Renner P. Santonil (HM60826950) with unprofessional conduct. Santonil allegedly touched a patient’s breast and kissed the patient, who lived at a residential facility where he worked.

Thurston County

In May 2022 the Medical Assistant Program and the Nursing Assistant Program charged medical assistant phlebotomist and certified nursing assistant Joshua Wayne Strickland (PC60882668, NC60798720) with unprofessional conduct. The state’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families’ Child Protective Services determined allegations against Strickland for sexual abuse of a minor were founded. The charges also state that a trial court found Strickland’s behavior with another minor involved acts of sexual gratification and that Strickland presented a danger, a ruling an appellate court upheld.

In April 2022 the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant application of Dejournette Elizabeth Monet Denny (NA61253399) because she did not return a required agreement for conditions on the license. The secretary of health required the conditions because Denny was charged with domestic violence assault, in a case still pending before the Olympia Municipal Court.

In April 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions the agency affiliated counselor license of Star Lynn Johnson (CG61267731). Johnson agreed to probation for two years on her license, supervision by a professional, and quarterly performance reports.