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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “Health Care Provider Lookup” under the “Find it Fast” 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 February 2023 the secretary of health conditionally granted the license of registered nursing assistant Kathleen Marie McIntosh (NA61387971). McIntosh was convicted of driving without a required ignition interlock device in 2020, and entered a deferred prosecution for driving under the influence in 2018.

Clark County

In February 2023 the Pharmacy Commission restricted the pharmacist license of Robert M. Baba (PH00021616). Baba is not allowed to work in a pharmacy for one year but may volunteer at vaccine clinics and give vaccines. In April 2021, Baba was found guilty by General Court-Martial for dereliction of duty, wrongful use and possession of controlled substances, and theft while in Kuwait in 2020.

In February 2023 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Tang Xinwen. Xinwen is ordered to no longer engage in the practice of massage unless appropriate licensure is obtained, and to pay a fine of $1,000.

In February 2023 the Nursing Commission conditionally reinstated the license of nursing assistant Patricia Ann Cazares, also known as Patricia Justo (NA60497818).Cazares agreed to the condition of two years’ probation during which her employer must submit quarterly evaluation reports.

King County

In February 2023 the Nursing Commission reinstated, with probation, the registered nurse credential of Jeff Tchai-Fu Su (RN60287904). Under the conditions of this reinstatement, Su is prohibited from employment by a travel or temporary nursing agency; in home health; or in a residential program for people with developmental disabilities, adult family homes and assisted living facilities. Su also may not work nights. Su’s employer must submit eight quarterly performance reports to end the probation.

In February 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery withdrew the statement of charges against osteopathic physician Anne L Coatney (OP00001983).

In February 2023 the Nursing Commission withdrew the statement of charges against medical assistant and nursing assistant April Rose Plewa (CM60393812, NC60171293).

Mason County

In February 2023 the Nursing Commission charged licensed practical nurse Megan Nicole Bramlette (LP60495467) with unprofessional conduct. In 2020, Bramlette agreed to conditions on her license requiring participation in a monitoring program. It is alleged that twice in 2022, Bramlette failed to comply with the conditions by testing positive for alcohol.

Pierce County

In February of 2023 the Substance Use Disorder Program charged substance use disorder professional Robin Lee Mauritzen Sehmel (CO60309262, CP60821247) with unprofessional conduct. From February to September of 2022, Sehmel allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient, terminating with a domestic violence protection order from the patient. During this time, Sehmel is alleged to have given gifts, loaned money to, and smoked cannabis with the patient.

In March 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Richard Clinton Boggs (RN00163168) with unprofessional conduct. In December 2021, Boggs was convicted of violating a no contact/protection order, which had conditions of his abstinence from alcohol and drugs, as well as completing a drug and alcohol assessment and complying with treatment. In January 2022, Boggs was convicted of driving under the influence.

Skagit County

In January 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license application of Aric Withrow (CG61263455). In 2021, Withrow entered a stipulated order of continuance on charges of third-degree theft.

Snohomish County

In February 2023 the Board of Denturists and denturist Svetlana Hinkle (DN60406207) agreed to an order that requires Hinkle to allow an unannounced Department of Health investigator to inspect patient records; attendance and completion of the Ethics and Boundaries Assessment Services examination; a minimum of 8 hours continuing education in the area of recordkeeping; payment of fees and refunds associated with two patients’ treatment; and payment of a $1,000 fine. In 2020 Hinkle billed a patient’s insurance for dentures the patient did not receive, resulting in the denial of payment for dentures at a different clinic. During the investigation it was discovered that Hinkle had failed to document treatment and billing for a second patient. Hinkle did not provide investigators with repeated requests for medical and billing records.

In February 2023 the secretary of health denied the marriage and family therapist associate trainee license of Beverly Ann Drinkard (MG61302289). In June 2021, Drinkard agreed to the surrender of her license in Arizona after failing to comply with the conditions of a previous order.

In February 2023 the Dental Commission and dentist Henry K. Chiang (DE60305935) agreed to probation of his credential for at least three years. Chiang must allow Department of Health investigators to audit patient records unannounced approximately every six months, use a third-party billing service, pay a $5,000 fine, reimburse the Dental Commission for $10,000, complete 14 hours of continuing education in the areas of recordkeeping and treatment planning, and complete an ethical assessment. From January 2017 to June 2018, Chiang committed insurance fraud by billing incorrectly through Medicaid and appeared to falsify patient records.

Spokane County

In February 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Melissa Ann Rouches (RN60570598) with unprofessional conduct. Rouches is alleged to have had an unsteady gate, uncoordinated body movements, slurred speech and pale skin while on her shift in a neonatal intensive care unit. Charges state that Rouches agreed to a substance use test and tested positive for alcohol.

In February 2023 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the pharmacist license of Serina Lynn Ferrer (PH60172317).

Out of State

Florida: In February 2023 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Laura Ashley Silva (RN61035418) with unprofessional conduct. In June 2022, Silva was convicted of criminal trespass and unlawful carrying of a dangerous weapon.

Wisconsin: In February 2023 the Nursing Commission denied the registered nursing license of Brittney Torrence (RN61288050). Torrence failed to provide proof that she had obtained a substance use evaluation after she plead guilty to possession of opiates in 2021.