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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Clallam County

In August 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee Sara Elizabeth Ramirez (CG61248008, CO61139512) with unprofessional conduct. In October 2022, after testing positive for amphetamines, Ramirez was discharged from her employment for failing to engage in treatment.

Clark County

In July 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor application of Tayler Ann Davis (CG61316326). In December 2022, Davis’s employer-provided drug test determined she tested positive for fentanyl.

In August 2023 the Behavior Technician Program charged certified behavior technician Savannah Lynn Ashdown (CB60954471) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in October 2020, Ashdown allowed a patient and his mother, whom she befriended, to spend the night at her home. In the same month, Ashdown allegedly posted a video of another patient online without permission from the patient or the patient’s guardians. Ashdown has been terminated from her employment.

In August 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Erin Lynn Matheny (CG61058351).

In August 2023 the Podiatric Medical Board withdrew the statement of charges against podiatric physician and surgeon Stephen M. Hayes (PO00000795).

Cowlitz County

In August 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Joshua Donald Phelps (RN60635723). The license will be on probation for at least 12 months, during which time Phelps’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports and Phelps must submit quarterly personal progress reports. In March 2021, Phelps administered fast acting insulin to a patient without contacting the provider regarding the patient’s low blood sugar and did not ensure the patient ate breakfast prior to administering the insulin.

Franklin County

In August 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacy technician Joshua Alden Wright (VA61104618) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in December 2022, Wright admitted to being impaired by alcohol at work.

Kittitas County

In August 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Rachel Ann Lough (NC60600432) with unprofessional conduct. In August 2023, Adult Protective Services substantiated that Lough had physically abused a vulnerable adult patient.

In August 2023 the secretary of health withdrew the intent to issue a cease-and-desist order against Doaa Karagholi.

Lewis County

In August 2023 the secretary of health granted Jinney S. Unger (CG61438261) a license to practice as a registered agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license will be on probation for at least two years during which time an approved professional must supervise Unger’s practice and they must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In June 2021, Unger was convicted of second-degree burglary, a class B felony; first-degree trafficking in stolen property, a class B felony; and second-degree possession of stolen property, a class C felony.

In July 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor application of Regan Carl Churchill (CG61228975). In November 2020, Churchill was charged with assault in the fourth degree – domestic violence, in Pierce County District Court.

Pierce County

In August 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Aleeiah Lynn Grandberry (NC60893107) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in December 2022 while caring for a minor with development disabilities, Grandberry allowed her boyfriend to bring their children and a handgun to the patient’s home. Additionally, Grandberry allegedly behaved inappropriately in the vicinity of the patient and left the patient unsupervised in the home.

In August 2023 the secretary of health granted Jeffrey Dwain Duncan (CO61459260) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. The license will be on probation for at least two years during which time an approved professional must supervise Duncan’s practice and they must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In 2018, Duncan was convicted of driving under the influence, a class C felony, in Pierce County Superior Court.

Snohomish County

In August 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Jenna Marie Gumke (NC61000717) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in February 2023, Gumke tested positive for cocaine on an employer-administered drug test.

In August 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Asya Sami of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. In November 2021, Sami injected lip filler into the lips of patients without a license. Sami does not and has never held a physician license in Washington state.

In August the Veterinary Board of Governors placed the veterinarian license of Susan Carroll Connor (VT00003002) on probation for at least two years. During the probation period, Connor is restricted from practicing in a solo practice-based setting nor can she perform procedures that use sedation or anesthesia without supervision of another veterinarian. Connor must complete 12 hours of continuing education in the areas of dentistry wet lab, medical record keeping and documentation, and anesthesia and pain management. Connor must also permit the board to review patient records quarterly, interview staff at her practice, and copy records regarding her practice. In August 2022, Connor’s work with two Bichon Frise dogs was allegedly deficient, negligent, incompetent, and failed to meet the standard of care.

Spokane County

In July 2023 the secretary of health denied applications for Jocelyn Raemay Stanard (CG61358759, CM61429215, MR61373229) for agency affiliated counselor, registered medical assistant, and certified medical assistant credentials. In February 2020, Stanard was convicted of second-degree taking vehicle without permission, a class C felony, in Stevens County Superior Court. Stanard was also convicted in October 2020 of distribution of 50 grams or more of actual methamphetamine, a class A felony.