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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 June 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Allie Montez agreed to a cease-and-desist order. Between December 2021 and April 2022, Montez provided massage therapy services to patients. Montez does not and has never held credentials to practice as a massage therapist. Montez must permanently cease and desist from any and all conduct in the practice of massage therapy. She must also pay a $250 fine.

Clark County

In July 2023 the sectary of health denied the agency affiliated registered counselor license of Brittaney Karen Wallace (CG61345682) after Wallace failed to respond to the Notice of Decision within 28 days. In September 2020, Wallace was convicted of first-degree criminal trespass, a gross misdemeanor. In February 2020, Wallace was also convicted of bail jumping, a class C felony.

In June 2023 the sectary of health denied the agency affiliated registered counselor license of Benjamin Henry Biasella (CG61396508) after Biasella failed to respond to the Notice of Decision within 28 days. In February 2020, Biasella was convicted of theft, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Franklin County

In July 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Brenda Ramirez of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that Ramirez practiced massage without a license in February 2023.

Grant County

In June 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors charged registered veterinary medication clerk Chase Kirk Sidwell (VM60981573) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Sidwell labeled, packaged, and/or delivered drugs to customers that are restricted to use by a licensed veterinarian. Sidwell allegedly labeled the drug deliveries with the name of a veterinarian who no longer supervises him, and he does not currently have a required, sponsor veterinarian.

Jefferson County

In June 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors reinstated the licensed veterinary technician license of Jennifer Anne Brinton (AT00002197).

King County

In July 2023 the Podiatric Medical Board and Ronald Scott Sorensen (PO00000510) agreed to conditions on his podiatric physician and surgeon license. Sorensen must attend and pass an ethics course and he must self-report events such as complaints and charges brought against him. Sorensen must also pay a $10,000 fine.

In July 2023 the Marriage and Family Therapist Program charged marriage and family therapist associate Marshan Marquis Goodwin Moultry (MG60582705) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in September and August 2021, Goodwin Moultry advertised that he had a substance use disorder professional trainee license and conducted chemical dependency assessment for a patient with an expired license. Goodwin’s substance use disorder professional trainee license expired February 2017.

In June 2023 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Leah Spring Alvarado (NT60391312). Between 2017 and January 2022, Alvarado represented herself as a licensed naturopathic physician to her employer. Alvarado does not and has never held credentials to practice as a naturopathic physician and was fired due to the lack of licensure. Alvarado must permanently cease and desist from any and all conduct in the practice of naturopathic medicine. She must also pay a $10,000 fine.

In June 2023 the secretary of health ended the terms and conditions on the mental health counselor license of Majid Azzedine (LH00005580).

Kitsap County

In July 2023 the secretary of health ended the conditions on the massage therapist license of Jack Eric Johnson (MA60625031).

Lewis County

In July 2023 the secretary of health and Carly Rae Holmes (CG61441616) agreed to probationary conditions on her agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation for two years, during which time Holmes’ supervisor must submit quarterly performance reports. In January 2023, Holmes was convicted of third-degree theft, a gross misdemeanor. In May 2018, Holmes was convicted of theft of a motor vehicle, a class B felony. In April of the same year, she was convicted of four counts of second-degree stolen property trafficking, all of which are class C felonies.

Mason County

In June 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, Substance Use Disorder Professional Program, and Mental Health Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor, substance use disorder professional trainee, and mental health counselor associate Laurie Catherine Romey (CG61099199, CO61125607, MC61271356) with unprofessional conduct. In May 2021, Romey entered an order granting deferred prosecution on a DUI charge. Between August 2022 and December 2022, Romey allegedly relapsed by drinking alcohol on multiple occasions.

Pierce County

In July 2023 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged chiropractor Dennis Eugene Smith (CH00001762) with unprofessional conduct. In November 2021, Smith allegedly incompetently performed a test that caused pain and injury to the patient. Charges also state that during the same appointment Smith failed to keep accurate documentation of the treatment.

In June 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Mental health Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor and mental health counselor associate DonnaMarie Sweet (CG60323134, MC60679009) with unprofessional conduct. In July 2021, Sweet allegedly lied to a health care investigator regarding allegations about a social relationship with a patient and a social incident where the patient was made to feel distressed. Charges state that in July 2022, Sweet continued contact with a former patient after being fired from a clinic in which she shared information about her own mental health.

Snohomish County

In July 2023 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged chiropractor Kyle Matthew Osborne (CH60450085) with unprofessional conduct. Osborne was a sole owner of a chiropractor business where his employee was referring patients to another business in which Osborne was co-owner. The patients were not notified of Osborne’s financial interest in the referrals to the other business.