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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.

Jefferson County

In March 2024 the Veterinary Board of Governors ordered that the veterinary technician license of Sara Ruth Penhallegon (AT60337137) be subject to oversight pending Penhallegon’s completion of the following terms and conditions. Penhallegon must complete four hours of continuing education in the area of record keeping and allow auditing of her veterinary medical records for one year. In May 2019, Penhallegon didn’t meet the standard of care by failing to properly document aspects of the treatment and assessments.

King County

In March 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) and Samuel Richard Gavit (RN60813746) entered an agreed order on his registered nurse license. The suspension on Gavit’s license was lifted subject to the following conditions. Gavit must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program, and complete a jurisprudence module. In May 2023 the California Board of Registered Nursing revoked Gavit’s license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of California based on his conviction for driving with a 0.08 or higher blood alcohol.

In March 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission released Anthony James Spinelli (DE60448647) from the terms and conditions on his dentist license.

Kitsap County

In March 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Clementino Elio Lavalle (NC60675992).

In March 2024 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program, Substance Use Disorder Professional Trainee Program, and the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged agency affiliated counselor, substance use disorder professional trainee, and substance use disorder professional Alion Anthony Mansfield (CG60972601, CP60686667, CO60679949) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Mansfield engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient.

Mason County

In March 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Crystal A. Stanley (NC10084571) with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least two years, during which time Stanley’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports.

Snohomish County

In March 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission released Jaymes R. Steiber (VA00041199) from the terms and conditions on his certified pharmacy technician license.

In February 2024 the secretary of health denied the emergency medical technician license application of Madison Elyse Van Avery (ES61477317). Van Avery failed to respond to a notice to practice with conditions on the license.

Spokane County

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Larry Lee Childress (CG61395360) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. Childress must work under an approved supervisor who must submit quarterly performance reports. In December 2017, Childress was convicted of third-degree theft-substantial pain and second-degree theft, both class C felonies. In September 2023, Childress was arrested for driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance, both gross misdemeanors.

In March 2024 the Midwifery Program charged midwife Dawn Marie Brown (MW60857630) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in January 2021, Brown practiced below the standard of care by not identifying fetal distress or discussing transport needs with the primary midwife.

In March 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Dana Lynn Johnson. Johnson agreed to permanently cease and desist from practicing as a licensed practical nurse in Washington state, unless she obtains the correct license. Between March 2022 and December 2022 and again between January 2023 and April 2023, Johnson falsely represented to her employer that she held licenses for licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant and, medical assistant.

Stevens County

In March 2024 the Midwifery Program charged midwife Dana K. Combest (MW00000267) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in January 2021, Combest practiced below the standard of care by not identifying fetal distress as an indicator to transport and failing to inform the patient of all the risks prior to delivery.

Thurston County

In March 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Joshua Tyler Christensen (CG61436039).

Whatcom County

In March 2024 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Candice Rose Hilton (HM60818828) with unprofessional conduct. In February 2021, Hilton accepted a gift of $100 from a patient.

Yakima County

In March 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use professional trainee license of Mayra Laura Corona (CO61217554).

Out of State

California: In March 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the registered nurse license of Zakaria Muigai Chege (RN60886364) with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least three years, during which time Chege’s health care employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Chege must also complete a jurisprudence module.

Canada: In March 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission amended the agreed order on the reinstatement of the pharmacist license of Jatinder S. Bhatia (PH00041178). Within 18 months of active credential status, Bhatia must complete 1,500 pharmacy intern hours.

Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.