For immediate release: June 20, 2023 (23-085)
Contact: DOH Communications
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Clark County
In May 2023 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner licenses of Ashlee Alieta Tubb (RN60475444, AP60525660-NP).
In May 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Jesse Allen James (CG61266110). In August 2022, James entered into an Agreed Order for allegedly recording inaccurate time spent with patients on multiple occasions. James did accept an offer to practice with conditions.
Island County
In May 2023 the secretary of health and Todd Lincoln Berlandi (CO61411196) agreed to conditions on his substance use disorder professional trainee license. The license will be on probation until at least April 2024, during which time Berlandi’s supervisor must submit quarterly performance reports. In January 2018, Berlandi was convicted of no contact/protection order violation, a misdemeanor; March 2018 convicted of no contact/protection order violation, a misdemeanor; December 2018 convicted of promoting prostitution, a class C felony; and January 2019 convicted of driving under the influence, a misdemeanor.
Pierce County
In May 2023 the Pharmacy Commission ended conditions on the pharmacy assistant and pharmacy technician licenses of Jung Eun Kim (VB60425928, VA60723687).
In May 2023 the Substance Use Disorder Professionals Program, Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, and the Nursing Assistant Program and Tania A Rodgers (CG60869869, CO60881295, NC10061998) agreed to conditions on her substance use disorder trainee, agency affiliated counselor, and certified nursing assistant licenses. The substance use disorder trainee and agency affiliated counselor licenses are on probation for at least five years during which time Rogers must pay a $500.00 fine, attend and receive an unconditional pass from an ethics course, work under a supervisor that submits quarterly performance reports, and permit an investigator up to 10 unannounced audits of patient/client records. The certified nursing assistant license is restricted until some of the conditions above are met. In February 2021, Rogers had a sexual relationship with a client.
In May 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Martika Lashawn Whitaker (NA60818849).
Snohomish County
In May 2023 the Board of Physical Therapy ended conditions on the physical therapist license of Heather E Sheppard (PT00009643).
In May 2023 the secretary of health denied the dental assistant license of Shravan Kumar Chintala (D161343946). In July 2022, Chintala was convicted of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. Chintala did not respond to a request for a substance use evaluation.
In May 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program and Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide and registered nursing assistant Jackson Simosi Nyarangi (HM60905751, NA60552782) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in April 2022, Nyarangi appeared intoxicated and provided substandard care to a patient and was later hospitalized with a blood alcohol level of .446.
In May 2023 the secretary of health denied the surgical technologist license of Jamie Rae Guevara (ST60323590). In 2022, Guevara entered into conditions on another license but did not accept an agreement to practice with conditions for this one.
Spokane County
In May 2023 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Brenna Marie Snodgrass (MA60646158) with unprofessional conduct. Starting September 2019, Snodgrass allegedly had a sexual relationship with a client.
In May 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors withdrew charges of unprofessional conduct against veterinarian Kendall L Cypert (VT00003858).
Thurston County
In May 2023 the secretary of health and Andrew Nicholas Brenna (CG61238132) agreed to conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. Brenna must contact and enroll in a substance use monitoring program and continue counseling with a treatment provider that submits quarterly reports. Brenna answered “yes” to having a medical condition that may limit his ability to practice with reasonable skill and safety, and use of alcohol and controlled substances in the two years prior to October 2021. In 2019, Brenna was convicted of assault and battery on a family or household member.
In May 2023 the secretary of health and Dejournette Elizabeth Monet Denny (IC61392578) agreed to conditions on her interim medical assistant license. The license will be on probation until at least August 3, 2024, during which time Denny’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In August 2022, Denny entered an agreement to practice with conditions and probation for a different license.
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.
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