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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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

Clark County

In February 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission amended the charges of unprofessional conduct against chiropractor Harley Orville Youngblood (CH00003002). The acts of unprofessional conduct Youngblood allegedly committed now include abuse of a client or sexual contact with a client. In December 2021, Youngblood allegedly touched a patient in a sexual manner during multiple treatment sessions.

Jefferson County

Corrected entry from news release (24-046) on April 29, 2024: 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 Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery released Anne L. Coatney (OP00001983) from the terms and conditions on her osteopathic physician and surgeon license.

In March 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission charged dentist John Lee Starks (DE00005377) with unprofessional conduct. Starks allegedly failed to document that he advised patients on opioid-related information such as overdose potential. He also allegedly failed to check patient’s history in the prescription monitoring program before prescribing multiple opiate prescriptions to patients.

Kitsap County

In March 2024 the Podiatric Medical Board and David Monroe Gent (PO00000724) entered an agreed order on his podiatric physician and surgeon license. Gent must pass an ethics course, self-report for six months, and pay a $10,000 fine. Gent prescribed medication to patients and in return received money for directing the prescriptions to certain pharmacies.

Mason County

In March 2024 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged agency affiliated counselor Vincent Michael Dalseg (CG61315710) with unprofessional conduct. In November 2022, Dalseg self-reported that he had relapsed and resumed using alcohol and controlled substances.

Pierce County

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Timothy Lee Hannon (CG61408192) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least two years, during which time Hannon must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In June 2019, Hannon was convicted of four counts of second-degree identity theft, all class C felonies.

In March 2024 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission reinstated the chiropractor license of James Calvin LaHoe (CH60114798) with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least five years, during which time LaHoe cannot practice as a solo practitioner and he must work as an associate for a chiropractor. LaHoe must also allow for audits of his chiropractic practice and complete 18 hours of continuing education in the area of ethics and boundaries.

In March 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Michelle S. Ortiz of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that Ortiz held herself out as a medical assistant and her resume indicates that she has practiced as a medical assistant for about 20 years. Ortiz has never held a medical assistant license in Washington state.

In March 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the substance use disorder professional, agency affiliated counselor, and certified counselor licenses of Bryan David Jeffers-Atkins (CG60277350, CL60284014, CP00006148) with conditions on the license. The licenses are on probation for at least 12 months, during which time, Jeffers-Atkins must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports.

Spokane County

In March 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program and Kylie Nicole Plopper (NC60870842) entered an agreed order on her certified nursing assistant license. Plopper must contact a monitoring program and if required, enroll in the program. In March 2023, Plopper failed a blood alcohol concentration level test after being found asleep in the bathroom at her work.

In March 2024 the secretary of health and Elijha E. Shafer (MA61269011) entered an agreed order on his massage therapist license. The license is on probation for at least 18 months, during which time, Shafer must allow audits of his client records. Shafer must also pay a $1,000 fine and complete four hours of continuing education in the area of boundaries. Shafer engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Drake Raymond Corkrum (CG61444624) 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 Corkrum must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In January 2021, Corkrum was convicted of driving under the influence and reckless driving, both gross misdemeanors.

In March 2024 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Matthew David Herrera (MA60414852) with unprofessional conduct. Herrera allegedly admitted to touching a patient in a sexual manner during a treatment session.

In March 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the certified nursing assistant license of Aisha Shanae Spears-Foster (NC10078302).

In March 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Alicia Ann Hobday (NC60642935) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Hobday failed to disclose a previous conviction in her license application. In November 2019, Hobday was convicted of first-degree rendering criminal assistance, a class B felony.

Thurston County

In March 2024 the secretary of health granted Bradley Lawrence Austin (CO61511120) 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 Austin must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In December 2018, Austin was convicted of second-degree burglary, a class B felony.

Out of State

Florida: In March 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the  registered nurse license of Patty M. Vatter (RN00159118) with conditions on the license. Vatter must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program.