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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 December 2023 the secretary of health released Kathleen Marie McIntosh (CB61249067) from the terms and conditions on her certified behavior technician license.

Columbia County

In December 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Rebecca E. White (RN00134214) with unprofessional conduct. In May 2023, White entered a monitoring contract after allegedly diverting controlled substances.

Jefferson County

In November 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission granted Christine Elizabeth Meslang (VB61438923) a license to practice as a pharmacy assistant with conditions on the license. Meslang must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. In August 2020, Meslang was charged with third-degree malicious mischief – domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor, and use of drug paraphernalia, a misdemeanor. In April 2021, Meslang entered a stipulated order of continuance on two charges in which no proof of the outcome of the charges has been provided. In April 2022, Meslang was charged with fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor.

Pierce County

In December 2023 the secretary of health released Tiffani Viane Crossman (CO61200147) from the terms and conditions on her substance use professional trainee license.

In December 2023 the secretary of health granted Dennis Gregory Savare (CO61364471) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for two years, during which time an approved professional must supervise Savare’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In January 2020, Savare was convicted of a restraining order violation – domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor.

In December 2023 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission reinstated the dental assistant license of Stacy Lynn Martin (D160102560) with conditions on the license. Martin must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program.

Spokane County

In December 2023 the secretary of health granted Austin Keith Cortright (CG61489051) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for four years, during which time an approved professional must supervise Cortright’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In November 2020, Cortright was convicted of two counts of second-degree identity theft and second-degree theft, both class C felonies. Cortright was convicted of assault-threat to do violence in March 2022 and unlawful display of a weapon, a gross misdemeanor, in August 2022.

In December 2023 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Brittany Erin Rankin (CO61234236).

In December 2023 the Massage Therapist Program amended the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against massage therapist Brenna Marie Snodgrass (MA60646158). Charges state that Snodgrass admitted to having a sexual relationship with a patient within two years after their provider/client relationship ended.

Walla Walla County

In December 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Zhakeyzha Asalemo (NA61311367) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Asalemo transferred money from a patient’s debit card to her account without permission.

Whatcom County

In December 2023 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use professional trainee and substance use professional license of Amber Frances Rucker (CP61424877, CO61095313).