State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

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 “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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

Benton County

In April 2023 the Board of Naturopathy modified an order on the suspended license of naturopathic physician Virginia L Frazer (NT00000677). The Board previously concluded that Frazer’s credential could be reinstated with certain terms and conditions. Frazer has since surrendered her license and agrees to not resume practice as a naturopathic physician in the state of Washington in any capacity, with no right to reapply. In 2020, Frazer failed to cooperate with the disciplining authority after she was contacted about complaints related to her unauthorized disclosure of confidential medical records and allegations that she was issuing medical exemption letters to patients to avoid COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

Grant County

In April 2023 the Nursing Commission suspended the registered nurse license of Esther Rae Tuller (RN60318009). Tuller may not petition for reinstatement for 18 months, and prior to any petition must undergo a neuropsychogical exam by a Commission-approved evaluator. Tuller must also contact a substance use monitoring program. In December 2021, Tuller admitted in a plea agreement that while working at a clinic she withdrew morphine from vials and replaced it with saline solution. In July 2022, Tuller was convicted of tampering with consumer products.

Okanogan County

In April 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Shannon Marie McDonald (RN60027186). McDonald may petition for reinstatement after participation in a substance use monitoring program’s intake process. On multiple occasions in January and February 2022, McDonald was unable to account for excess hydromorphone she had removed from an automated controlled substance dispensing unit.

Pierce County

In April 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the nursing assistant license of Scharlene Muna (NA60764134). Muna may petition for reinstatement if she completes four hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights, and law and ethics. In August 2022, the Department of Social and Health Services determined that Muna neglected a vulnerable adult and that prohibits her from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

In April 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner licenses of Darren Terry Freeman (RN60607116, AP60607117-NP). Freeman may petition for reinstatement after a psychological and/or psychiatric evaluation by a Commission-approved evaluator. In November 2022, Freeman made an appointment with an evaluator for a Commission-ordered mental health examination and failed to appear for it. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Freeman must undergo an examination.

In April 2023 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Richard Clinton Boggs (RN00163168). Boggs may petition for reinstatement after participation in a substance use monitoring program’s intake process. In December 2021, Boggs was convicted of violating a no contact/protection order, which had conditions of his abstinence from alcohol and drugs, as well as completing a drug and alcohol assessment and complying with treatment. In January 2022, Boggs was convicted of driving under the influence.

Spokane County

In April 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and Rachelle Lynn Tafoya (CG61180383) agreed to the suspension of her agency affiliated counselor license. Tafoya may not petition for reinstatement for a minimum of three years, and must first complete and pass an ethics course, as well as pay a $1,000 fine. In November 2022, Tafoya engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

Thurston County

In April 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Diane Cecilia Fruean (NA61126437). Fruean may petition for reinstatement but must first pay a $250.00 fine, complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of boundaries and patient confidentiality, and will then be on probation for a minimum of six months and her records may be audited and her practice reviewed at her employment unannounced. In May 2022, Fruean took full frontal nude photos of a patient and sent them to her sister.