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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 October 2023 the secretary of health released Kathleen Marie McIntosh (NA61387971) from the terms and conditions on her certified nursing assistant license.

Cowlitz County

In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and Kristin Jeanne Schaper (RN60864789) entered an agreed order in which the summary suspension on her registered nurse license was lifted. Per the agreed order, Schaper must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. In April 2022, the state of Oregon accepted the surrender of Schaper’s license for allegations including being impaired at her workplace and for being dishonest during an Oregon board investigation. In October 2022, the state of Arizona accepted the surrender of Schaper’s license for a pattern of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at her workplace and for failing to comply with an Arizona board order.

King County

In October 2023 the Nursing assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Teresia Wanjiku Kiminda (NA61285478) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in May 2022 Kiminda was arrested for driving under the influence. Then, again in January 2023, she was arrested and charged with driving while under the influence.

In October 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Saba Mesfia Muluneh (NC60940234) provided he meets the relevant regulatory requirements for credentialling.

In October 2023 the Nursing assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Phonethip Pon Harrington (NA61304471) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between 2017 and 2022, Harrington used an elderly patient’s credit card for personal purchases totaling thousands of dollars.

Kitsap County

In October 2023 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission charged dentist Hamidreza Barakhshan (DE00009257) with unprofessional conduct. In October 2022, in response to a patient complaint, Barakhshan allegedly failed to create adequate treatment records.

Mason County

In October 2023 the Mental Health Counselor Program and mental health counselor Mirra Leigh Merkel (LH60569530) entered an agreed order on modification. Merkel must pay a fine of $1,200. Between November 2018 and March 2019, Merkel had a romantic relationship with a patient.

Pierce County

In October 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program amended the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against registered nursing assistant T. L. Nicole Emanuel (NA60117626). The amendments include that between August and December 2021, Emanuel’s adult family home license was summarily suspended and a civil fine and conditions were imposed on the license pending completion of investigation. The amended charges state that in June 2022, Emanuel and her sister prepared documents refuting previous allegations and transported patients to a bank to notarize the patient signatures on the documents.

In October 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program amended the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against registered nursing assistant Jessica M. Newkirk (NA60227374). The amendments include that between August and December 2021, Newkirk’s sister’s adult family home license was summarily suspended and a civil fine and conditions were imposed on the license pending completion of investigation. The amended charges state that in June 2022, Newkirk and her sister prepared documents refuting previous charges and transported patients to a bank to notarize the patient signatures on the documents.

In October 2023 the secretary of health reinstated Louie G. Hallie’s (LW00005315) license to practice as an independent clinical social worker with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least two years, during which time Hallie’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Additionally, Hallie’s practice may be reviewed and his records may be audited on an unannounced basis up to three times per year for two years.

Snohomish County

In October 2023 the secretary of health released Amanda Lee Warner (CO61147343) from terms and conditions on her substance use disorder professional trainee license.

Spokane County

In October 2023 the secretary of health released Cal Hugh Hilmo (NC60927504) from the terms and conditions on his certified nursing assistant license.

In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Nicole D. Denobrega (RN00174528) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2019, Denobrega was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. In September 2021, Denobrega was allegedly convicted of the amended charge of reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor.

In October 2023 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission granted Sara Dawn Reed (D160090047) a license to practice as a dental assistant with conditions on the license. For two years, Reed’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In November 2020, Reed was convicted in Idaho of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamines), a felony.

In October 2023 the secretary of health granted Misty Dawn Lamar (CG61431676) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least three years, during which time Lamar must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In October 2021, Lamar was convicted of possession of a controlled substance in Idaho, a felony. In May 2021, Lamar was convicted of first-degree negligent driving, a gross misdemeanor. In April 2021, Lamar was convicted of reckless driving, a gross misdemeanor, and hit and run of an unattended vehicle, a misdemeanor.

Whatcom County

In October 2023 the secretary of health on designation from the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) ended the probation on the registered nurse license of Mary Elizabeth Hancock (RN60325629).

Out of State

Texas: In October 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Taylor Ashley Porter (RN60781446) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in January 2023 the Texas Board of Nursing placed Porter’s Texas registered nurse license on probation for a minimum of three years. The action was based on positive drug screens and findings of alcohol and/or controlled substance use while working.