Evergreen Reporter

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 Unlicensed Practice Program notified Tim Matlock of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Matlock allegedly advertised massage therapy and indicated to an investigator that he provided massage therapy, but he doesn’t hold a massage therapy credential in Washington.

In August 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the medical assistant-phlebotomist and agency affiliated counselor licenses of Christy Jean Logan (CG61029603, PC60815734).

In August 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Michelle Smith entered an agreement that states she will stop practicing as a substance use disorder professional, mental health counselor, social worker, or psychologist in Washington unless she obtains credentials.

Franklin County

In August 2022 the secretary of health reinstated medical assistant Lucia Gonzalez (CM60371462).

King County

In July 2022 the Dental Commission and dentist Stephen L. Ong (DE00006528) agreed to an order that requires Ong to pay a $2,000 fine, reimburse the Commission $2,374 for investigation expenses, complete 14 hours of additional continuing education, and pass a jurisprudence exam, among other penalties. Ong did not keep proper records and treated a patient below the standard of care.

In August 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant Ioan Muntean (NA00138310) with unprofessional conduct for sexual misconduct involving three employees at the adult family home he owned with his wife. Muntean allegedly forcibly kissed, touched the breasts and buttocks of employees, and pressed his penis against one, among other charges. He entered a stipulated order in King County District Court in February, requiring him to have no contact with the employees, enroll in a sexual deviancy and treatment program, and complete 20 hours of community service.

In August 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Florencia Escandor Enguerra (NA00015847).

Kitsap County

In August 2022 the Board of Optometry charged optometrist Melani A. Cruz (OD60906074) with unprofessional conduct related to an advertising campaign that allegedly promised a free eye exam with the purchase of two pairs of glasses.

In July 2022 the Pharmacy Commission denied the pharmacy assistant application of Ian Sepetys (VB61257826). Sepetys was convicted in Kitsap County Superior Court of assault and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Lewis County

In August 2022 the Social Worker Program and the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program charged independent clinical social worker associate and registered agency affiliated counselor Erin Lacey Wilson (CG61027407, SC61092359) with unprofessional conduct. Wilson allegedly failed to cooperate with an investigation into whether she came to work under the influence of controlled substances and tested positive for using cocaine.

Snohomish County

In August 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged Johnathan Duane Jones (HM60876254) with unprofessional conduct. Jones allegedly took and drank a bottle of wine from a client’s house without permission.

In September 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Jeffrey P. Clark (CH00002638) with unprofessional conduct. Clark and employees at the business he owned allegedly didn’t require vaccinations or masks for employees, in violation of the governor’s COVID-19 proclamation.

In September 2022 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Alexis Nicole Culton-Bussert (CM60544733) with unprofessional conduct. Culton-Bussert was convicted of driving under the influence in 2018 and assault in 2021, both in Snohomish County Superior Court.

In August 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions a substance use disorder professional trainee license to Adnan Saim Kaya (CO61316941). Kaya agreed to probation for one year, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. In 2019, Kaya was convicted of hit and run, unattended, in King County Superior Court and driving under the influence in the municipal court of Seattle. In 2013, he was convicted of reckless driving in Snohomish County District Court.

Spokane County

In August 2022 the Behavioral Health Agencies Program and American Behavioral Health Systems Inc. (ABHS) (FS60873721) agreed on an order that requires ABHS to amend its license to remove its certification to operate a secure withdrawal management and stabilization facility. After an investigation of 12 client records, the Behavioral Health Agencies Program found that ABHS did not follow policies for admitting individuals, provide proper services during patients’ stay, or provide proper discharge assistance, among other issues.

In September 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Megan Denise Goodyear (NC60713498) with unprofessional conduct. In January 2021, Goodyear was convicted of harassment-threat to kill in Kittitas County Superior Court and two counts of violating a no-contact order in the District Court for Lower Kittitas County.

Thurston County

In August 2022 the Pharmacy Commission charged pharmacy assistant Desiree Peacock (VB61211534) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly failing to respond to an investigator about a complaint alleging she has a substance use problem.

Whatcom County

In August 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Michael John Motel (CH60544585) with unprofessional conduct. Motel allegedly violated the gubernatorial proclamation requiring COVID-19 precautions as a condition for operation.

Yakima County

In August 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Yvonne Christine Franz-Lakey (CG61308986). She agreed to probation for two years, professional supervision, and quarterly performance evaluations. Franz-Lakey had prior convictions, including in 2019 in U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, for distributing five grams or more of methamphetamine.

Out of State

Oregon: In August 2022 the Nursing Commission ended the conditions on the registered nurse license of Melissa Josephine Beachler (RN60604083).

Texas: In August 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the licensed practical nurse and registered nurse credentials of Billy Ray Arkansas (LP60584735, RN60723054).

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.

Original source can be found here.