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.

Clallam County

In July 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation on substance use disorder professional trainee license, the substance use disorder professional license, and the agency-affiliated counselor license of Jenny Lynn Iredale (CG61288289, CP61190077, CO60969949).

King County

In July 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program, the Medical Assistant Program and Dimtu Godana Jatani (PC60817020, NC60565978) agreed to the suspension of her certified nursing assistant license. Jatani’s certified nursing assistant license is indefinitely suspended. Jatani may petition for reinstatement, and she must provide proof of compliance of all conditions required by a 2021 agreement. Regarding Jatani’s medical assistant-phlebotomist license, which is still active, she must provide proof of continued compliance and/or successful completion of all conditions required by a 2021 agreement.

In July 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the marriage and family therapist license of Pamela Kujawsky Kendrick (LF00001552). In June 2023, Kendrick failed to respond to a statement of charges regarding a complaint filed against her in January 2022.

Pierce County

In June 2023 the secretary of health suspended the certified nursing assistant license of Jennifer Marie Wenski (NC60886889). Wenski may not petition for reinstatement for three years. Prior to reinstatement, Wenski must complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of law and ethics and theft awareness. In January 2021, Wenski made purchases and ATM withdraws of approximately $20,000 with her deceased client’s debit card and used her client’s EBT card twice to make purchases for her personal benefit.

In July 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the licensed practical nurse license of Stephen Wakibi Buteraba (LP60319984). Buteraba may petition for reinstatement. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Buteraba must complete 18 hours of continuing education and a jurisprudence module. In March 2019, Buteraba gave the wrong medication to a patient and the patient experienced low blood pressure as a result.  Buteraba also failed to respond to the Board’s request for a statement regarding the incident.

Skagit County

In July 2023 the Mental health Counselor Program and Amanda Light (LH00004924) agreed to restrict her mental health counselor license. While her license is restricted, Light may not accept new patients and the program may audit a minimum of 10 patient records and review her practice on an unannounced basis up to two times. On December 31, 2023, Light has agreed to surrender her license and to never practice mental health counseling in the state of Washington again. Light has no right to reapply. Between December 2012 and March 2018, Light had a multi-level dual relationship with a patient in which she failed to maintain records of the treatment she provided for the patient.

Spokane County

In July 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the pharmacy technician license of Dawn Marie McGuffin (VA60195177). McGuffin may petition for reinstatement. McGuffin failed to respond to a statement of charges sent in April 2023 regarding allegations of diverting controlled substances from her former employer for her own use.

Yakima County

In June 2023 the secretary of health suspended the massage therapist license of Jesus Bautista Rodriguez (MA60736453). Rodriguez may not petition for reinstatement for 10 years and must pay a $5,000 fine prior to reinstatement. In March 2022, Rodriguez was charged with third-degree rape after a client reported Rodriguez for sexual misconduct during a massage therapy session.