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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 July 2023 the Home Care Aide Certification Program charged certified home care aide Stacey Renee Bennett (HM60993138) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Bennett had inappropriate conversations with her client that led to termination by her employer.

Cowlitz County

In July 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation of substance use disorder professional trainee license of Stacy RaeAnn Wirkkala (CO61077791).

Island County

In May 2023 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Lillian Lyric Davis (MR61132420). Davis must permanently cease and desist from engaging in all practice of a medical assistant in the state of Washington. From March 2022 to May 2022, Davis was employed as a medical assistant and performed duties such as conducting diagnostic testing, sterilizing equipment, and capillary puncture and venipuncture. Davis does not and never has held a credential to practice as a medical assistant in Washington.

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Kayla Erin Wilson (NA60049975) agreed to conditions on her registered nursing assistant license. The license will immediately be on probation. During the period of probation, Wilson must enroll and participate in a monitoring program until the program decides her participation is no longer necessary. Charges state that in December 2021, Wilson’s license was suspended after violating the terms of a referral contract by being involuntarily discharged from a monitoring program. In May 2022, Wilson was allegedly arrested for a DUI, a gross misdemeanor.

King County

In June 2023 the Medical Assistant Program denied the appeal to the program’s denial decision on the application for the medical assistant phlebotomist license of Kirandeep Kaur Aujla-Wiggins (PC61126684). Aujla-Wiggins failed to complete a required substance use evaluation and her application for a medical assistant phlebotomist license was denied in 2022. Aujla-Wiggins appealed the decision, but she failed to respond to the program’s motion for summary judgement.

In July 2023 the Dental Assurance Commission reinstated the dental assistant license of Patricia Lillian Marquart (D160029335).

In June 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license of Asher Patricklee Costello (VB61320916). In December 2022, Costello failed to provide proof of compliance with a required mental health evaluation by the Department of Health.

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and Jason Farrell Graham (RN60115488) agreed to restrictions on his registered nurse license. Graham must not accept work without Board approval, not work a shift within 12 hours of the previous shift, not work more than one different shift within a seven-day period, not work overtime, only work in a setting in which direct supervision is provided, not function as the head nurse or charge nurse, and not direct or supervise the work of other nurses. Graham may petition to modify the restrictions after he undergoes a new neuropsychogical evaluation. In January 2022, Graham underwent a neuropsychological evaluation and was found to have cognitive and physical impairments that affect his ability to safely practice.

Kitsap County

In July 2023 the Massage Therapy Program reinstated the massage therapist license of Jack Hamilton Ballard (MA60473288) with the condition that Ballard submit to the monitoring program’s evaluation.

In July 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Christina Lousie Gauthier (NA00119588) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Gauthier used a patient’s debit card to withdraw $200 and make a purchase of $3 without permission.

Okanogan County

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated and placed on probation for at least 24 months the licensed practical nurse license of Luke Aaron Richter (LP60702263). While on probation, Richter must complete continuing education in jurisprudence, patient advocacy, and documentation; not be employed by a temporary or travel nursing agency, or in-home health or a community-based care setting; work in a setting in which direct supervision is provided; not function as the head nurse or charge nurse; and not direct or supervise the work of other nurses. If employed in health care, Richter’s employer must submit quarterly performance reports.

Pierce County

In July 2023 the Podiatric Medical Board ended the terms and conditions on the podiatric physician and surgeon license of Valerie Lillian Marmolejo (PO60570750).

In July 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission denied the pharmacy assistant license of Amber Jo Williamson (VB61377758). In February 2019, Williamson was convicted of drug conspiracy-methamphetamine and heroin, a felony.

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) ended the probation on the registered nurse license of Olga Disko Kimbrel (RN00157008).

Snohomish County

In July 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Marianne Ames of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. In July 2022, Ames allegedly advertised, offered, and provided massage services. Ames has never held a massage therapist credential in the state of Washington.

In July 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Vic Ananko entered an Agreed Order in which Ananko must permanently cease and desist from any and all practice of denturist in the state of Washington.

In July 2023 the In-Home Services Program charged Miguel Racelis and Fanny Noble doing business as the Miguel Racelis Corporation and Home Angels (FS00000032) with numerous alleged Washington Administrative Code violations. In December 2021, Racelis failed to provide a plan of correction in response to a statement of deficiencies nor did he contact the program to notify them that he may be ceasing operations.

Spokane County

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and David D. Primm (RN00168794) entered an agreement reinstating his registered nurse license. Primm must not practice as a nurse except as part of an approved refresher course until he provides proof of successful completion of the approved refresher course. Primm must continue to comply with a monitoring program.