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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.

Clallam County

In August 2022 the Massage Therapy Program charged massage therapist Lindsay Rose Rieker (MA60069647) with unprofessional conduct for failing to cooperate with the disciplining authority.

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Sandra Dawn Allen (CG61087918).

Clark County

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended the suspension of the health care assistant credential of Mindy R. Garcia (HC00152376) and placed it in a terminated status.

Grant County

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Chenell A. Wolfe (CO61067865).

Grays Harbor County

In August 2022 the secretary of health ordered emergency medical technician Mary Lynn Jarzabek (ES61065273) to submit a 500-word essay on working as an EMT, contact the program specialist to discuss the scope of practice as an EMT, and pay a $250 fine among other measures. Jarzabek worked without being affiliated with an emergency medical service licensed by the secretary of health.

King County

In September 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist Mark A. Caggiano (DE00006697, CS10000433), who holds a moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit, with unprofessional conduct. Caggiano’s treatment of a patient fell below the standard of care in relation to improperly selecting and placing implants, among other issues.

In September 2022 the Podiatric Medical Board charged podiatric physician and surgeon Charles Rui Chieh Chu (PO00000277) with unprofessional conduct for participating in a rebate program without disclosing Chu’s financial interest in the referral.

In August 2022 the Dental Commission withdrew charges against dentist Kianoosh Behshid (DE00009985).

In July 2022 the Nursing Commission withdrew the statement of charges against Shirley Onyeamechl Okpalobi (LP60699826) and vacated the final order of default. The suspension on Okpalobi’s licensed practical nurse credential was lifted and the license’s status was returned to expired.

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the agency affiliated counselor license of Maureen Tsetska Gray (CG60798958).

In August 2022 the Marriage and Family Therapist Program and marriage and family therapist Linda Lee Hanby (LF60256554) agreed to an order that places conditions on her license. They include three years’ probation, restriction from handling family reunification cases until she completes 16 hours of continuing education, and an ethics course, among other conditions. Hanby committed unprofessional conduct by practicing below the standard of care in handling a family reunification case.

In September 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program and registered nursing assistant Gabriel Waithaka Kimani (NA60858387) agreed to an order requiring Kimani to participate in a substance use monitoring program. If the program determines Kimani does not need to enroll, his license will be placed on probation for 24 months. Under the terms of the probation, Kimani must pay a $250 fine and submit quarterly employer performance evaluations. While driving a car with a client inside, Kimani was under the influence of alcohol and crashed the vehicle. Kimani was charged with failure to control speed to avoid a collision, and with first-degree negligent driving.

Pacific County

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the agency affiliated counselor license of Stacy RaeAnn Wirkkala (CG61058445).

Pierce County

In August 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program amended charges against registered nursing assistant T L Nicole Emanuel (NA60117626). Emanuel co-owns an adult family home and removed four residents from the home and traveled with them for multiple days, sleeping in the car, without allowing them access to their cellphones, or personal care products.

In August 2022 the Nursing Assistant Program amended charges against registered nursing assistant Jessica M. Newkirk (NA60227374). Newkirk, who co-owns an adult family home, removed four vulnerable adults from the residence and traveled with them for multiple days, sleeping in the car, without allowing them access to their cellphones, or personal care products.

In August 2022 the secretary of health withdrew its notice of intent to issue a cease-and-desist to Young T. Park.

Snohomish County

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended conditions on the registered medical assistant license of Trevor Harold Page (MR60503585).

In September 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist Daryl I. Boekenoogen (DE00006844) with unprofessional conduct. Boekenoogen provided dental treatment via a teledentistry company for several patients that was below the standard of care and risked injury or harm to the patients. Charges also state that Boekenoogen failed to maintain clinical records for the patients.

Spokane County

In September 2022 the Examining Board of Psychology charged psychologist John W. Fishburne (PY00003685) with unprofessional conduct. Fishburne allegedly agreed to be the executor of a client’s estate in the event of the client’s death, an action falling below the standard of care that could have harmed the client.

In September 2022 the secretary of health ended probation on the substance use disorder professional Kevin Donald Edwards (CO60525948).

Thurston County

In August 2022 the secretary of health denied the home care aide application of Austin James McKoy (HM61200796). McKoy was booked on five counts of rape after allegedly admitting to the Olympia police that he touched the breasts and genitals of a patient.

Whatcom County

In August 2022 the Unlicensed Practice Program and Hsiang-Chiu Chi entered an agreement that Chi will permanently stop engaging in massage therapy in Washington state unless first obtaining a credential and will pay a $1,000 fine.

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.