For immediate release: May 4, 2022 (22-066)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of the following health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.
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’s website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health home page (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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Pierce County
In March 2022 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse license of Peter Nicholas Tomter (RN60941819) and required that, before requesting reinstatement, he participate in the intake process with a substance use monitoring program. Previously, the Oregon State Board of Nursing accepted Tomter’s voluntary surrender of his credential.
In March 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and Home Care Aide Program made an agreement with registered nursing assistant and home care aide Ceara Ardellia Howell (HM60824028, NA60075431) that suspends her credential for at least 12 months. Howell used her position to take possession of a patient’s property by having herself listed as the beneficiary for the patient.
Spokane County
In March 2022 the secretary of health suspended for at least two years the three separate registered medical assistant credentials of Clarisa Marie Chavarria (MR60708518, MR60984601, MR61008065). Chavarria was convicted of second-degree assault of a child, domestic violence, in Spokane County Superior Court.
In March 2022 the secretary of health suspended the independent clinical social worker license of Nicholas James La Vanway (LW60423044) after he was charged with assault in Spokane Municipal Court for allegedly assaulting a 9-year-old and a 5-year-old child.
Out of State
Maryland: In March 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Melissa Lissette Abramowicz (RN60598848) agreed to the suspension of Abramowicz’s credential after she removed propofol on multiple occasions from the facility where she worked.
New York: In March 2022 the secretary of health suspended the massage therapist license of Wanxuan Su (MA60906974) after Su failed to comply with a 2020 agreement that required Su to comply with record-keeping regulations, among other conditions.
Pennsylvania: In March 2022 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse license of Nicholas Alexander Firestone (RN60821898) after the California Superior Court ordered Firestone not to practice nursing as a result of his conviction for receiving stolen property (less than $950).
The DOH website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for the DOH blog, Public Health Connection.
###