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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 January 2024 the secretary of health granted Shandra Pauline Spry (CG61485360, CO61511121) licenses to practice as an agency affiliated counselor and as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the licenses. The licenses are on probation for at least three years, during which time Spry must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In October 2021, Spry was convicted of no contact/protection order violation – domestic violence and fourth-degree assault – domestic violence, both gross misdemeanors. Spry was convicted of third-degree malicious mischief in February 2020 and fourth-degree assault in November 2019, both gross misdemeanors.

King County

In December 2023 the Marriage and Family Therapist Program charged marriage and family therapist Caitlyn B. King (LF60923999) with unprofessional conduct. Between November 2021 and May 2022, King allegedly provided therapy services with an expired license.

In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Crista Lynn Niles (RN60959508) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2023, Niles allegedly failed to ensure accurate medication administration and/or documentation for multiple patients and failed to provide a written statement to the Board.

In January 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Staten C. Medsker (CH00002796). Medsker must permanently cease and desist from all chiropractic practice in the state of Washington and pay a $1,000 fine. In November 2022 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission revoked Medsker’s license to practice as a chiropractor. In December 2022 and January 2023, Medsker provided chiropractic treatment to a patient and represented himself as a sports chiropractor without a current license.

In January 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board and Ryan A. Bierman (PO00000712) entered an agreed order on his podiatric physician and surgeon license. Bierman must pass an ethics course and pay a $10,000 fine. Bierman participated in a rebate program without disclosing his financial interest in the referral.

In January 2024 the Veterinary Board of Governors and Savjit Singh Gurm (VT00008739) agreed to restrictions on his veterinary license. The license is restricted for at least one year, during which time Gurm may not perform orthopedic surgery and he must have his supervisor submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Gurm must complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of practical skills on patellar surgery and medical records. Gurm must also pay a $3,000 fine.

Kittitas County

In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged the licensed practical nurse license of Debi Deann Guse (LP00050370) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2023, Guse allegedly failed to ensure accurate, timely medication administration to multiple patients.

Snohomish County

In January 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission released Debra L. Miranda (VA00021259) from the terms and conditions on her pharmacy technician license.

Spokane County

In January 2024 the secretary of health withdrew the statement of charges of unprofessional conduct against massage therapist Marlene Maree McLean (MA60803653).

In January 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Kylie Nicole Plopper (NC60870842) with unprofessional conduct. Kylie was allegedly found asleep in the bathroom at work.

In January 2024 the secretary of health granted Sarah Anne Willett (CO61428742) a license to practice as a substance use disorder professional trainee with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least three years, during which time Willett must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In February 2022, Willett was cited for driving under the influence and hit and run unattended.

Thurston County

In January 2024 the secretary of health denied Sirina Teouri (NA61486888) a license to practice as a registered nursing assistant. Teouri failed to respond to the notice of decision on application.

In December 2023 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Kori Markus Kronmeyer (CO61098828).

In January 2024 the Massage Therapy Program charged massage therapist Feng Yan Blake (MA61029825) with unprofessional conduct. Blake failed to comply with a 2022 stipulation by failing to inform the Department of health of an employment or address change and failing to comply with patient charting standards and rules.

Out of State

Arkansas: In December 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Justin Alan Frechette (RN60662219) provided that he meets the relevant regulatory requirements for credentialing, and continues to comply with a monitoring program.

Montana: In January 2024 the Respiratory Care Practitioner Program charged respiratory care practitioner Vincent Joseph Zinicola (LR60335795) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in February 2022, Zinicola caused a minor patient to take sexually explicit photos and videos for Zinicola to publish online. In June 2023, Zinicola was convicted of third-degree rape of a child and two counts of third-degree child molestation, all class C felonies.

Oregon: In November 2023 the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery denied the osteopathic physician and surgeon application of Jason Ling (OP00001909). In December 2014, Ling was convicted of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, a felony. In May 2014, Ling was convicted of two counts of insurance fraud, one count of tax evasion, and three counts of unlawful prescription of controlled substances in the Superior Court of California.

Utah: In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) released Ashley Verona Stone (RN60279309) from the terms and conditions on her registered nurse license.