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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.

Chelan County

In January 2023 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Heather Marie Smith (CO61315536). Smith agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. Between 2015 and 2017, Smith was convicted of several felonies and gross misdemeanors, including burglary and bail jumping.

Clark County

In January 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Kathryn M. Reinmuth (CG61130488) with unprofessional conduct. While employed at Daybreak Youth Services, Reinmuth allegedly developed a sexual relationship and maintained unprofessional boundaries with a 17-year-old patient.

Cowlitz County

In January 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program and certified nursing assistant Kendra Nicole Disspain (NC10081597) agreed to an order that reinstates Disspain’s license provided Disspain continues to comply with substance use treatment.

Jefferson County

In January 2023 the Dental Commission granted with conditions a dental assistant license to Sarah Gates Smith (D161348089). Smith agreed to the conditions, which require her to be evaluated by a substance monitoring program. In April 2022, Smith was convicted of driving under the influence and negligent driving in Jefferson County District Court.

King County

In January 2023 the secretary of health granted, with conditions, an agency affiliated registered counselor license to Reachny Chea Chau (CG61265044). Chau agreed to the conditions, which include probation for at least two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2021, Chau was convicted of a gross misdemeanor theft in King County Superior Court.

In January 2023 the secretary of health ordered Johnny T. Stine to stop practicing medicine in Washington and pay a $1,000 fine. In June 2020, Stine entered a consent decree with the state attorney general’s office for violating the consumer protection act by advertising vaccinations on Facebook. In January 2021, he was charged with two counts of introduction of a misbranded drug into interstate commerce in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. Stine posted on Facebook that he was “vaccinating people with the nCoV19 spike protein” and offered to vaccinate people for $400 a person.

In December 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a registered nursing assistant license to Lonah Njoki (NA60634347). In April, Njoki was charged with domestic violence assault in Federal Way Municipal Court. Njoki’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluations to the Nursing Assistant Program for two years.

Lewis County

In January 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Sequoiah Christal Fields (NC60630023).

Mason County

In January 2023 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the pharmacy assistant license of Lisa Diane Lund (VB60822612).

Pend Oreille County

In January 2023 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Lacy Ann Conlon (CO61355687). Conlon agreed to the conditions, which include one year probation, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2018, Conlon was convicted of fleeing or attempting to elude a peace officer in Idaho, equivalent to a felony in Washington.

Pierce County

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted a certified nursing assistant license to DinhHongChau Tran (NC61201052). Tran agreed to the conditions, which require $250 reimbursement for costs and six hours of continuing education in preventing falls, patient rights, and law and ethics. In 2021, Tran transferred a patient with an ankle fracture alone though the injury required a two-person transport.

In January 2023 the Nursing Commission and Brien Edwin Applonie (LP00041235) agreed to an order that reinstates, with conditions, his licensed practical nurse credential. Applonie’s license is on probation until he completes a refresher class, and, while his license is on probation, Applonie may not practice as a nurse except as part of the refresher course.

Snohomish County

In January 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Vic Ananko of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Ananko allegedly does not have a Washington license but inserted and adjusted a patient’s dentures.

Spokane County

In January 2023 the Massage Therapy Program withdrew charges against massage therapist Dan Guo (MA60322250).

In January 2023 the secretary of health granted, with conditions, a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Veronica Tracy (CO61368860). Tracy agreed to the conditions, which include two years’ probation, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2017 and 2018, Tracy was convicted of several gross misdemeanors, including theft and assault-domestic violence.

In January 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Sean Joel DeVries (CO61364009). As part of the conditions, DeVries’ credential is on probation for at least four years, a professional must supervise his practice, and his employer must submit quarterly performance reports. In 2022, DeVries was convicted of reckless driving and assault and in 2021, assault-domestic violence.

Yakima County

In December 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Oswaldo Manuel Herrera (CO61336474). Herrera agreed to the conditions, which include four years of probation, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In April 2021, Herrera was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm in Yakima County Superior Court.

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.