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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 May 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy technician Olga V. Markin (VA00041004) with unprofessional conduct. Markin allegedly reported to work impaired.

King County

In May 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Qingjie Zeng of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order because Zeng allegedly practiced massage without a license.

Mason County

In May 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Kristan Kelly Ramirez (LP60259260) with unprofessional conduct. Ramirez allegedly failed to contact a substance use monitoring program as required by a prior agreement she entered with the Nursing Commission.

In May 2022 the Home Care Aide Program and home care aid Tracy Ree Pasic (HM60752843) modified a prior agreement after the program charged her with failing to comply with it. The new modifications require Pasic to contact a substance use disorder program within 14 days, work only if there is an on-site supervisor with a certified nursing assistant credential or higher, and ensure her employer submits quarterly performance evaluations.

Pierce County

In May 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a medical assistant-phlebotomist license to Lacey Louise Hedlund (PC61255702). Hedlund agreed to the conditions, which include participation in a substance use monitoring program. Hedlund had multiple past gross misdemeanor convictions between 2017 and 2021, including criminal trespass and theft.

In May 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant and certified nursing assistant Ashley Nichole Kark (CM60756785, NC60786738) with unprofessional conduct.

In May 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Jordan Nicole Landholm (CH60721678) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly not wearing a face covering as required by the governor’s proclamation.

In May 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Craig Patrick Lapenski (CH00003689) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly not following required COVID-19 protocols, including wearing a face covering and screening patients for fever or other symptoms as required by the governor’s proclamation.

In May 2022 the secretary of health charged registered nurse Awdrey Ng (RN60258507) with unprofessional conduct. In November 2020, he was convicted of child molestation and communication with a minor for immoral purposes in Pierce County Superior Court.

Spokane County

In May 2022 the secretary of health fined in-home services agency RJ Care Services LLC, which does business as Care to Stay Home, and owners and operators Jayne Fraser and Robert Fraser, (FS60016733) $3,000. The home care services company and owners were cited for repeat violations found during a relicensing inspection.

In May 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program, and the Mental Health Counselor Program charged registered agency affiliated counselor, substance use disorder professional trainee, and mental health counselor associate Jennifer Renee Dempsey (CG60895041, CO61019033, MC60904742) with unprofessional conduct. The Mental Health Counselors Program received a complaint that Dempsey was frequently absent from work and expressed concern about the skill and safety of her practice. She did not respond to an investigator’s letter.