OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.
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 website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” 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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In August 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the agency affiliated counselor license of Ashley Elyse Jean Kluge (CG61019292).
In August 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacist Robert M. Baba (PH00021616) with unprofessional conduct. In April of 2021, Baba was found guilty by General Court-Martial for dereliction of duty, wrongful use and possession of controlled substances, and theft while at or near Camp Arifjan, Kuwait in 2020.
In July 2022 the secretary of health denied the home care aide credential application of Shawn Matthew Clarke (HM60634123). Clarke was found to have used the resources of and borrowed money from a former patient without repayment.
In August 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Catherine Lenore Warner (CG61101263).
Cowlitz County
In July 2022 the secretary of health denied the registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant credential applications of Andrea Merz (NA61262460, NC61265437). In 2020, Merz was twice convicted of driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Grant County
In August 2022 the Substance Use Disorder Professionals Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Plasido Session Lindsey Jr. (CO60700650) with unprofessional conduct. In April 2021 the Program received a complaint that Lindsey was negligent in reporting compliance to local courts and probation offices and had failed to properly assess patients. Lindsey did not respond to investigation requests.
King County
In August 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Paulmichael Rowland of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Roland allegedly states on his Facebook page that he works as a nurse at a health care company, and between approximately 2016 and 2022 advertised himself as a licensed practical nurse. Roland has never been licensed in any state.
In August 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist Neville W. Richter (DE00005047) with unprofessional conduct. Richter allegedly failed to make or maintain adequate patient records.
In August 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse John Lance Galvin (RN00155631) with unprofessional conduct. Galvin allegedly failed to disclose to the Commission that he was convicted of driving under the influence in June 2020. Also, while on shift at a hospital, Galvin allegedly smelled of alcohol, fell asleep, and was tremulous.
Kitsap County
In August 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Juanita Gragasin (NA00142846).
Lewis County
In July 2022 the secretary of health denied the substance use disorder professional trainee application of Crystal Parks (CO61261419). Between 2013 and 2022, Parks was convicted 11 times for charges including theft, burglary, and driving with a suspended license. On the application, Parks answered “no” to having prior convictions.
Pierce County
In August 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Bo Robert Mullen (CH60582933) with unprofessional conduct. Mullen is co-owner of Harbor Life Chiropractic, which allegedly did not comply with multiple Washington legal codes requiring the use of masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Snohomish County
In July 2022 the secretary of health denied the medical assistant phlebotomist application of Angelique Cuellar-Saunders (PC61208283). Saunders, who had a 2017 allegation of forging a prescription of a controlled substance for her own use, did not comply with a recovery program in 2018 or a required substance use evaluation in 2022.
In July 2022 the Department of Health notified Tamera Jordan Duncombe (NC61259218) that she had been issued a certified nursing assistant credential in error. The department rescinded the credential and moved the application to “pending” status.
Thurston County
In July 2022 the secretary of health denied the agency affiliated counselor application for Ashley Renee Simon (CG61198392). Between 2012 and 2017, Simon was convicted three times for charges including theft and attempting to elude a police vehicle.
Whatcom County
In August 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Kelly Ryan Frost (CG61270543). Frost agreed to the conditions, which include probation for three years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance reports. In 2020, Frost was convicted of having sex with his patient from the clinic where he worked as a counselor.
Yakima County
In August 2022 the Mental Health Counselor Program charged mental health counselor Melissa Lara Belding (LH60587833) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that among other allegations, between 2018 and 2019, Belding practiced contraindicated Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy without a certificate of completion in EMDR, resulting in danger and harm to a patient. She also allegedly failed to obtain patient consent for EMDR, failed to recognize seizure activity during EMDR, and engaged in inappropriate violations of patient boundaries, including allowing the patient to sit in her lap during treatment.
Out of State
California: In August 2022 the Pharmacy Commission reinstated with conditions the pharmacist license of Jamie Dong Viet Nguyen (PH60748647). In addition to other terms, Nguyen must participate in a recovery assistance program and pay a fine of $2,000.
Idaho: In August 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated the registered nursing license of Lynn Mai Bui (RN60271490).
Note to Editors: Health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing. The case then enters the settlement process. If no disciplinary agreement can be reached, the case will go to a hearing.
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.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up