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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 Radiologic Technologist Program and Mental Health Counselor Program charged radiologic technologist and mental health counselor Michael Thomas Smith (LH61144228, RT60280696) with unprofessional conduct. In July 2023, Smith was charged with second-degree murder with notice of domestic violence for allegedly murdering his girlfriend.

King County

In December 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program, and the Mental Health Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor, substance use disorder professional trainee, and mental health counselor Bruce Christopher Evans (CG60412393, CO60590101, LH61172017) with unprofessional conduct. Between February and June 2022, Evans allegedly failed to maintain proper treatment documentation of two patients. Evans allegedly had a personal relationship with one of the patients in which he didn’t maintain proper documentation.

In December 2023 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Brittany Dawn Bomann (CM60589192) with unprofessional conduct. In July 2023, Bomann failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding allegations of being intoxicated at work.

Kitsap County

In November 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program dismissed the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against registered nursing assistant William John Kipp, Jr. (NA60704749).

Pierce County

In January 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ayla Alexandra Adamson (NA60885880) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in August 2023, Adamson failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding her guilty pleas to two counts of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

Snohomish County

In January 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Jay Cho. Cho is ordered to permanently cease all practice of acupuncture and eastern medicine unless he obtains appropriate licensure. Cho must also pay a $1,000 fine.

In December 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee Program charged agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee Deena Lynn Elliott (CG61382507, CO61391959) with unprofessional conduct. In May 2023, Elliott failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding allegations of illicit use of methamphetamines and fentanyl.

Spokane County

In October 2023 the secretary of health granted Joshua Edward Leach (CG61444655) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for two years, during which time an approved professional must supervise Leach’s practice and submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. In August 2020 and in July 2016, Leach was convicted of third-degree retail theft – extenuating circumstances, class C felonies, and third-degree theft in August 2020, a gross misdemeanor. Leach was convicted of first-degree criminal trespass in November 2019 and obstructing law enforcement in July 2018, both gross misdemeanors.

In December 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged registered agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional Steven C. Floyd (CG60153079, CP60432152) with unprofessional conduct. Floyd allegedly engaged in sexual misconduct with patients including dating a patient and coercing a patient to engage in sexual acts.

In December 2023 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program and the Mental Health Counselor Program charged substance use disorder professional and mental health counselor Trevor Reed Liebing (CP60571716, LH60786955) with unprofessional conduct. Between mid-2018 and January 2022, Liebing allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a minor patient.