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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 May 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the massage therapist license of Allen Wendell Holden (MA00022827). The license is on probation for two years, during which time Holden must allow audits of at least 10 patient records.

Franklin County

In February 2024 the secretary of health and Cristian Alexis Guzman (HM61255007) entered an agreed order granting him a home care aide license, subject to conditions. Guzman must enroll in a monitoring program and work under an employer who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In December 2020, Guzman was convicted of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license, both third-degree gross misdemeanors. In January 2021, Guzman was convicted of driving under the influence, a gross misdemeanor.

King County

In May 2024 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant and registered nursing assistant licenses of Wondu Gonder Tanetse (NC60190437, NA60187481).

In May 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacist Samah Omar Hassanein (PH00049037) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that from January to May 2023, Hassanein dispensed a controlled substance, on approximately five different occasions, for personal use.

Kitsap County

In May 2024 the secretary of health charged registered nursing assistant Tyara Robin Scott (NA61193463) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that the program received a complaint in July 2023 that Scott may have accessed financial resources of a patient without lawful authority. Scott failed to cooperate with the investigation by not responding to the allegations.

Snohomish County

In May 2024 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Melanie Elliot-Morgan. Elliot-Morgan must cease and desist from engaging in any practice of Eastern medicine and must pay a $1,000 fine. From May 2022 to November 2023, Elliot-Morgan provided services without a license.

Spokane County

In May 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Alexander Lee Blackburn (RN60525795) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that from July to August 2023, Blackburn engaged in sexual misconduct with a patient who was recovering from an altered mental state due to fentanyl intoxication.

Thurston County

In May 2024 the secretary of health withdrew the statement of charges against registered nursing assistant Mauricio Matias Retambay (NA60858695).

Out of State

Kansas: In May 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program and Isatou Gassama Manka (NC60323822, NA60287963) entered an agreed order on reinstatement of her registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant licenses with conditions on the licenses. The licenses are on probation for one year, during which time Manka must work under a health care employer who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports and complete a minimum of four hours of continuing education in the area of boundaries.

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.