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 November 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses of Sara Elizabeth Ramirez (CG61248008, CO61139512). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Ramirez must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. In October 2022, Ramirez tested positive for amphetamines.

In November 2023 the secretary of health suspended the social worker associate independent clinical and agency affiliated counselor licenses of Olivia A. Joelson (CG61045549, SC61158973). Joelson may not petition for reinstatement for three years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Joelson must pay a $2,000 fine and complete a professional boundaries course. In March 2021, Joelson entered a romantic relationship with a patient.

Island County

In November 2023 the Board of Physical Therapy indefinitely suspended the physical therapy assistant license of Mikaela Marie Vopnford (P160917534). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Vopnford must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. In March 2022, Vopnford tested positive for methamphetamine and cocaine.

King County

In August 2023 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission determined that Pavanjeet Singh Khalsa (IR60960504) was no longer eligible to maintain his pharmacy intern registration. In March 2023, Khalsa took a leave of absence from his pharmacy program and is no longer making progress towards graduation, which is required to maintain the pharmacy intern registration.

In October 2023 the Massage Therapy Program and Lilia Schastlivaya (MA60181846) agreed to the suspension of her massage therapist license. Schastlivaya may not petition for reinstatement for at least one year. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Schastlivaya must pay a $3,000 fine and complete 20 hours of continuing education in the areas of ethics and communication, SOAP notes and recordkeeping, and sanitation and standard precautions. In 2019, Schastlivaya repeatedly billed insurance for massages that she did not provide, inflated billing prices to insurance, and accepted cash payments for massages she then also billed for.

In October 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the paramedic license of Sean Patrick Sturgeon (ES60293230). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Sturgeon must contact a monitoring program and enroll if the monitoring program determines it is required. In September 2023, Sturgeon failed to respond to the statement of charges regarding his failure to comply with his monitoring contract which was signed in September 2021.

In November 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant and registered nursing assistant licenses of Rahab Wanjiru Kasina (NC61229580, NA60871723). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Kasina must pay a $250 fine and complete six hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights, caring for the elderly, and law and ethics. Kasina failed to respond to the statement of charges regarding allegations that she struck a patient’s arm while assisting them.

Snohomish County

In November 2023 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the certified nursing assistant license of Juana Luisa Flores Rosales (NC60697600). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Flores Rosales must reimburse the program $250 and complete 10 hours of continuing education in the areas of patient rights, preventing falls, and law and ethics. In September 2022, Flores Rosales failed to follow proper procedures when moving a patient to a wheelchair, causing injury to the patient.