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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 November 2022 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Bryan Scott Richards (LP60431235) with unprofessional conduct. Richards did not return a request for information from an investigator about his behavior, which included allegations of combativeness toward his employer and threats of self-harm.

In November 2022 the Nursing Commission withdrew charges against registered nurse Michael Bradley LaChappelle (RN60688002).

Grays Harbor County

In November 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Shonna M. Carnes (RN60092565) with unprofessional conduct. Carnes allegedly slept while on duty and did not give patients medicine or do any assessments or charting. She did not respond to an investigator’s request for a statement of explanation.

King County

In October 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and certified nursing assistant Joseph O. Ombura (NC60212223) agreed to an order that requires Ombura to take continuing education classes in boundaries and law and ethics and pay a $250 fine.

In November 2022 the Nursing Commission amended charges against advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse Sandra J. Kennedy (AP30003689-NP, RN00099564). From about 2017 to 2021, Kennedy allegedly prescribed controlled substances for her husband, who she knew had a substance use disorder. She is not a pain management specialist and allegedly did not keep records or document her treatment. Also, she allegedly failed to comply with a Nursing Commission request for an explanation and records and failed to respond to a subpoena for records until after charges were issued.

In November 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Tianna Marie Stevens (CO61290958). Stevens agreed to the conditions, which include three years’ probation, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2019, Stevens was convicted of violating a non-contact order and forgery.

Kitsap County

In November 2022 the Nursing Commission charged advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse Wendy L. Swearingen (AP30004867-NP, RN00112041) with unprofessional conduct. Swearingen allegedly was impaired by alcohol at work.

Lewis County

In October 2022 the Social Worker Program and the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program amended charges against Erin Lacey Wilson (CG61027407, SC61092359), who holds associate independent clinical social worker and agency affiliated counselor licenses. Wilson allegedly worked while under the influence of a controlled substance.

Mason County

In November 2022 the secretary of state granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Ashley Renee Simon (CG61198392). Simon agreed to the conditions, which include probation for two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2012, Simon was convicted of theft and in 2017, she was convicted of theft on two occasions and attempting to elude a police vehicle.

Pierce County

In October 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Robert M. Rubia (NA00196177).

In October 2022 the Dental Commission amended charges against dentist Walter F. Foto (GA10000320, DE00008264). Foto’s license and general anesthesia permit were summarily suspended in August. Charges state that an infection control inspection and sedation audit showed that Foto failed to provide documentation showing that biological spore testing was properly conducted, numerous emergency drugs were missing and defibrillators, and his assistant did not have adequate training to serve as an anesthesia monitor. Foto allegedly treated at least 10 general anesthesia patients without an appropriately trained anesthesia monitor.

In October 2022 the Home Health Care Program charged home health care worker Dena Marie Phifer (HM60882809) with unprofessional conduct. Phifer allegedly administered a patient’s medication without proper authorization and had a romantic and sexual relationship with the patient’s son.

In October 2022 the Chiropractic Commission ended probation on the chiropractor license of Michael Lee Wall II (CH00034640).

Spokane County

In October 2022 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Kurt Allgood (CG60795582) with unprofessional conduct. Allgood allegedly sent messages to co-workers asking for sex.

Stevens County

In November 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Krystabel Briony Pitts (RN60872558) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly falsifying forms and a test card to provide proof of negative COVID test results for herself and another person.

Whatcom County

In October 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Cassandra Renee Casey (CO61281782). Casey agreed to the conditions, which include probation for three years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluation reports. In 2018, Casey was convicted of burglary and assault and in 2019, she was convicted of driving under the influence and reckless driving.

Out of State

Georgia: In October 2022 the Nursing Commission denied the registered nurse application of Liatrice Bradley (RN61240713). Bradley was convicted of having control of a vehicle while under the influence in 2016 and of operating a vehicle while under the influence in 2019, in Ohio. As part of her application, she was required to get a substance use evaluation, but she did not.

Kentucky: In November 2022 the Nursing Commission charged advanced registered nurse practitioner and registered nurse James Jerome Robinson (AP60923009-NP, RN60925707) with unprofessional conduct. In April, the Kentucky Board of Nursing entered an agreed order with Robinson that placed his Kentucky advanced practice registered nurse credential on probation for two years with conditions and restrictions.