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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

King County

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Kimberly Marie Lux (CG61429118) agreed to conditions on her agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation until at least January 18, 2025, during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In March 2018, Lux was convicted of driving under the influence, a gross misdemeanor, and in September 2019 of unlawful possession of a stolen vehicle, a class B felony.

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Mohammed Sadik (CG61417098) agreed to conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation for four years during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In December 2020, Sadik was convicted on two counts of first-degree theft, a class B felony, and in July 2018 he was convicted of first-degree theft, a class B felony and third-degree assault, a class C felony.

In June 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Abby Lea Yuan (CG61133585). In 2020, Yuan was convicted of third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. Yuan did not respond to an offer to practice with conditions on her license.

In June 2023 the secretary of health denied the dental assistant license of Hilda Hedit Stephania Nava-Castro (D161350678). In October 2022, Nava-Castro was convicted of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. Nava-Castro did not respond to an offer to practice with conditions on her license.

Pierce County

In June 2023 the Dental Commission reinstated the dentist license of Cynthia Leu-Yeh (DE00007993) subject to regulatory requirements. Other conditions require that Leu-Yeh permit unannounced audits of at least five patient records for compliance with record-keeping and patient charting for up to two times a year over the next four years.

Skagit County

In July 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery charged osteopathic surgeon and physician Larri A. Mishko (OP00001626) with inability to practice with reasonable skill and safety. Charges state that in October 2021, Mishko enrolled in a five-year monitoring agreement with a substance use monitoring program. In February 2022, Mishko allegedly failed to comply with treatment recommendations and was discharged from the program in March 2023.

Snohomish County

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Tiffany Kay Frodsham (RN60389890) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in August 2016 and November 2017, while working as a school nurse, Frodsham failed to document patient encounters and nursing care provided to students, and transported students in her personal vehicle to receive care in non-emergent situations without supervisor approval.

Spokane County

In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Theresa Lynn Mowatt (NC10010047) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2022, Mowatt smelled of alcohol when she arrived to her shift at a supported living home for vulnerable adults.

In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Judy Beth Hegwer (NC60448088) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in August 2022, Hegwer stole numerous credit cards from a resident at the care center where she worked. Hegwer allegedly used the cards to make purchases totaling $856.14.

In June 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Carl Kenneth Gordon (CG61200416). While employed at an adolescent addiction and mental health treatment facility in 2021 and 2022, Gordon engaged in boundary violations including but not limited to non-consensual touching of female patients.

In July 2023 the secretary of health and Mitchell A. Eggett (CG61362530) agreed to conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. The license is on probation until April 18, 2025, during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In November 2019, Eggett was convicted of third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. In August 2019, Eggett was convicted of second-degree identity theft, a class C felony, and second-degree vehicle prowling and obstructing an officer, both gross misdemeanors.

Thurston County

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Joshua Tyler Christensen (CG61436039) agreed to conditions on his agency affiliated counselor license. The license is on probation until at least April 5, 2024 during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In April 2018, Christensen was convicted of driving under the influence, a felony, and fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor. In February 2020, Christensen was convicted of third-degree theft, a misdemeanor.

In June 2023 the secretary of health ended conditions on the certified medical assistant license of Emily Meghan Burns (CM60348653).

Whatcom County

In June 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified massage therapist Heather Coreen Arvensis (MA00021142) of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that Arvensis provided services and advertised herself as a licensed massage practitioner on her website but has an expired license.

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Christopher Vernon Lindstrom Giffen (LH61400261) agreed to conditions on his mental health counselor license. The license is on probation until at least May 9, 2024 during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. Additionally, Giffen may have records audited by the program unannounced up to three times a year and by the Department of Health for at least 10 patient records. In May 2022, another license of Giffen’s was placed on probation for at least two years.

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Laurie D. Dupar (RN00089180) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Dupar described herself as a “nurse practitioner” on her business website and LinkedIn webpage even though Dupar does not hold a credential to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner in the state of Washington.

Yakima County

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Albert Allen Bass (CO61422731) agreed to conditions on his substance use disorder professional trainee license. The license is on probation for four years during which time a supervisor must submit quarterly performance evaluations. In 2022, Bass was convicted of third-degree theft on more than one occasion, first-degree criminal trespass, driving under the influence, and shoplifting, all of which are gross misdemeanors. In February 2020, Bass was convicted of fourth-degree assault.