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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 August 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery granted Nicholas Jeffery Sanseri (OL61429029) a license to practice as a limited licensed osteopathic physician and surgeon with conditions on the license. Sanseri must enroll and participate in a monitoring program. Between December 2014 and December 2022, Sanseri was convicted of three gross misdemeanors, two for driving under the influence of intoxicants and one for reckless driving.

Clark County

In August 2023 the secretary of health granted Michelle Lynn Kovich (CG61285322) a license to practice as an 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 Kovich’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In June 2017, Kovich was convicted of second-degree aggravated battery, a felony, in the Martin County Circuit Court in Florida.

In September 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) granted Janae Nichole McDaniel (AP61465261-NP) a license to practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner with conditions on the license. The license will be on probation until at least July 6, 2025, during which time McDaniel must comply with all terms and conditions required by a May 2023 Agreed Order entered on her registered nurse license. McDaniel’s registered nurse license is currently on probation until at least July 6, 2025, subject to terms and conditions.

In August 2023 the Occupational Therapy Practice Board granted Tayler Hanz Schmidt (OT61326244) a license to practice as an occupational therapist with conditions on the license. Schmidt must enroll and participate in a monitoring program. In January 2015 and in September 2022, Schmidt was convicted of driving under the influence, both gross misdemeanors.

Franklin County

In September 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Brenda Ramirez agreed to an order that states that she will permanently stop all practice of massage therapy unless first obtaining a Washington state credential.

In September 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) released the registered nurse license of Shaelynn Marie Logozzo (RN61159089) from the terms and conditions of a 2021 agreement. Logozzo is currently subject to probation with terms and conditions under a May 2022 stipulation. The probation and terms of the May 2022 stipulation remain in effect until released by the board.

King County

In August 2023 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission released Grace Zel Lee (CH60911095) from the conditions on their chiropractor license.

In August 2023 the secretary of health denied the certified nursing assistant and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses of Shauna Barbara Jane Rogers-Durham (NC61396457, CO61422512). In April 2021, Rogers-Durham entered a deferred prosecution agreement on charges of physical control of a vehicle while under the influence, a gross misdemeanor. In December 2019 she was convicted of first-degree negligent driving, a misdemeanor.

In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and Daniel Richard Howard (RN60465310) entered an agreement regarding his expired registered nurse license. Howard withdrew his pending registered nurse reactivation application. If Howard applies for reactivation of his credential in the future, the board may place his license on probation subject to terms and conditions, including but not limited to, successful completion of a refresher course followed by a period of probationary practice. In December 2020 and June 2021, Howard failed to provide a written statement addressing allegations contained in a complaint filed with the board.

Kitsap County

In September 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and Wendy L. Swearingen (RN00112041, AP30004867-NP) agreed to terms on her registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner licenses. Swearingen must participate in a monitoring program until the program determines participation is no longer necessary. In August 2019, Swearingen was observed to be impaired at work and subsequently acknowledged a relapse on alcohol.

Pacific County

In August 2023 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor license of Stephanie Lynn Engibous (CG61452067). In February 2019, Engibous was convicted of second-degree trafficking in stolen property, a class C felony.

Pierce County

In September 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program and Kianna Rose Martinez (NC61348485, NA61318110) entered an Agreed Order on her certified nursing assistant and registered nursing assistant licenses. Martinez must complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights and anger management. In December 2022, Martinez admitted to grabbing and yelling at an elderly patient.

In September 2023 the Veterinary Board of Governors amended charges of unprofessional conduct against veterinarian Joel Dennison Cuthbert (VT00007068). Charges state that in 2019, Cuthbert provided consulting services to an animal rescue wherein he recommended treatments that were outside the scope of what the rescue could perform without supervision. Cuthbert allegedly failed to maintain records of these consults and of a procedure he is alleged to have performed elsewhere. The amendment states that in May 2019, Cuthbert failed to adequately examine or document examination and findings of the procedure.

In August 2023 the secretary of health denied the medical assistant license of Ciera Nicole Hackler (MR61405988). In May 2023, Hackler entered and agreed to an informal disposition regarding a complaint against her medical assistant-phlebotomist license.

Snohomish County

In September 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Jeanne Ang Rather (RN60427259) with unprofessional conduct. In March 2022, Rather was convicted of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft in the United States District Court, Western District of Washington.

In September 2023 the secretary of health granted Xandra Lee Abram (CO61429908) 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 Abram’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In May 2019, Abram was convicted of a protection order violation, a gross misdemeanor, and then was convicted of a felony violation of a protection order in November 2019. In November 2018, Abram was convicted of fourth-degree assault - domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor.