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.

Clark County

In August 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Kimberly Ann Smith (NA00032852). Smith may petition for reinstatement. Smith failed to respond to a statement of charges sent in May 2023 in response to Smith’s application to reactivate her license. In February 2022, Smith failed to comply with a required substance use evaluation.

Franklin County

In August 2023 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Badr Eddine Elkhlifi (NA61257269). Elkhlifi may not petition for reinstatement for two years. Prior to reinstatement, Elkhlifi must pay a $250 fine. Elkhlifi failed to respond to a statement of charges sent in May 2023 regarding a violation of a no contact order established due to allegations of domestic violence and threatening a resident in an adult family home.

Grant County

In August 2023 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the licensed practical nurse license of Millicent A. Mulamba (LP00048426). Mulamba may petition for reinstatement. Prior to reinstatement, Mulamba must participate in the intake process and participate in a monitoring program if the program determines she is required to enroll. Between April and June 2022, Mulamba showed signs of alcohol impairment in the workplace. She also documented completing nursing tasks while her license was expired.

Snohomish County

In July 2023 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and Substance Use Disorder Professional Program and Justin John Hartfield (CG60279113, CP60066891) agreed to the indefinite suspension on his agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional licenses. Hartfield may petition for reinstatement. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Hartfield must enroll and participate in a monitoring program until the program determines participation is no longer necessary. In 2021 and 2022, Hartfield admitted to employers and the Department of Health that he had relapsed and used methamphetamines.

In August 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the paramedic license of Thomas Clifford Jackson (ES60042709). Jackson may petition for reinstatement. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Jackson must reenroll and participate in a monitoring program until the program determines participation is no longer necessary. Jackson failed to comply with his monitoring program contract.

Spokane County

In July 2023 the secretary of health revoked the registered nursing assistant license of George Patrick Sessions (NA60116696). Sessions has no right to reapply. The department of social and health services found that Sessions abused a vulnerable adult.

In August 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program and Judy Beth Hegwer (NC60448088) agreed to the suspension of her certified nursing assistant license. Hegwer may not petition for reinstatement for at least two years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Hegwer must complete eight hours of continuing education in the areas of theft awareness and law and ethics. She must also pay a $250 fine. In August 2022, Hegwer stole numerous credit cards from a resident at the care center where she worked. Hegwer allegedly used the cards to make purchases totaling $856.14.

Thurston County

In July 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified counselor license of Darlene Anastacia Sousa (CL60739471). Sousa may petition for reinstatement. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Sousa must pay a $5,000 fine and must complete 12 hours of continuing education on the topics of law and ethics and scope of practice for professional counselors. Sousa represented herself as a neuropsychologist without the proper credential and conducted an assessment beyond the scope of her expired counseling credential.