Washington Department of Health
The state Department of Health recently released a set of lists naming health care professionals who were sanctioned with official actions in December and January. In Western Washington, actions were taken against health care workers in Cowlitz, Thurston, Lewis, Pacific, Pierce and Clark counties.
This is a sampling of the complete list provided by the Department of Health:
Cowlitz County
Alison Lynn Johnson, a licensed practical nurse, had her credential suspended by the Nursing Commission. That action was taken after Johnson was found to have stayed in a patient’s home for several hours after her shift had ended. During that time she went through the family’s mail, used the shower and put on a family member’s clothes. Johnson also forgot to administer the patient’s medications. Johnson alleged that she was being placed in a witness protection program and that the patient’s family was helping her. An evaluation found that she is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
The secretary of health ended probation for Steven Michael Morrison, a chemical dependency professional trainee and chemical dependency professional.
The secretary of health withdrew a statement of charges against Amanda R. Docksteader, a massage therapist.
Taiying Hu entered an agreement with the Unlicensed Practice Program that requires him to cease and desist from practicing massage without a license and pay a $1,000 fine. Hu owns a business that advertised massage services despite lacking a licensed massage therapist.
Thurston County
Crystal Rene Whited, a home care aide, was indefinitely suspended by the Home Care Aide Program in relation to an incident when she drank a half gallon of liquor and became extremely intoxicated while providing in-home care services to a patient.
Anita Uy entered an agreement with the Unlicensed Practice Program that requires her to cease and desist from practicing massage and pay a $1,000 fine. Uy previously advertised and offered massage services for a fee despite lacking a license.
Kylie Emily Marie, a pharmacy assistant, was reprimanded by the Pharmacy Commission after she failed to respond to a commission investigator’s inquiry into a complaint that had been lodged against her.
Lewis County
The secretary of health granted a conditional agency-affiliated counselor credential to Jennifer Gail Johns that places her on probation until December 2019. Johns’ certified nursing assistant credential was put on probation last year.
Pacific County
Joseph WIlliam Rogerson, a certified nursing assistant, was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Nursing Assistant Program. Last year Rogerson agreed to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program in order to maintain his medical assistant license.
Pierce County
Julianna Teresa Jackson, an agency affiliated counselor and registered nurse, was suspended for at least five years by the Agency-Affiliated Counselor and Nursing Assistant programs. Jackson was employed at Western State Hospital when she engaged in behaviors found to be outside the boundaries of a professional patient-counselor relationship, including telling a patient’s mother that she loved the patient and “cannot wait until the day he gets out.” She also had sexual contact with the patient.
Elizabeth Nakitto Kalungi, a certified nursing assistant, was suspended for at least three years by the Nursing Assistant Program. Kalungi practiced under her sister’s name and license in order to gain employment as a nursing assistant while her credential was expired.
Simon N. Waiyaki, a registered nursing assistant, was suspended for at least 18 months by the Nursing Assistant Program after he took and withdrew money from a patient without permission while providing in-home care services.
David Flores was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Social Worker Program after he allegedly failed to fulfill probationary requirements for performance evaluation reports, unemployment declarations, and continuing education.
Elliott Farmer, a veterinary technician, was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Veterinary Board. It is alleged that Farmer failed to comply with a requirement to enter a substance abuse monitoring program. The charges also state that Farmer’s employer fired him after he admitted stealing controlled substances.
Petueru Lotonuiu Namulauti, a medical assistant and certified nursing assistant, was charged with unprofessional conduct by the Medical Assistant and Nursing Assistant programs. Last year he was charged with second-degree rape of a child – attempt, and communication with a minor for immoral purposes. Charges state that he made arrangements online to meet a 13-year-old male for sexual activities.
Odessa Leanne Partridge was denied a pharmacy assistant credential by the Pharmacy Commission. Between 2011 and 2017 Partridge was convicted of seven gross misdemeanors and one misdemeanor.
Clark County
James Chavez was notified by the Unlicensed Practice Program of their intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Chavez has allegedly been offering massage services for a fee despite lacking a credential.
The secretary of health awarded a conditional agency-affiliated counselor credential to Adam Hale Kravitz and instructed him to participate in a substance abuse monitoring program. From 2010 to 2013 he was convicted of five felonies and one gross misdemeanor.
Georgiann Reneer Torres was denied a dental assistant credential by the Dental Commission. Also knowns as Georgann Reneer Torres, in 2015 she was convicted in California of grand theft by embezzlement, failure to appear on a felony charge, and committing a felony while on bail. Then, from 2016-17, Torres worked as a dental assistant despite lacking a license.
Maria E. Romero, a certified nursing assistant, entered an agreement with the Nursing Assistant Program that changes her suspended credential to expired status. Romero will also be required to pay a $250 fine and complete continuing education in patient rights and dignity, and law and ethics. Her license was suspended last year after the state Department of Social and Health Services found that she neglected a vulnerable adult under her care. That finding prohibits her from being employed in caring for, or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Christopher P. Ramsey had his pharmacist credential suspended by the Pharmacy Commission. Ramsey’s Oregon pharmacist license was suspended in June 2017 in connection with taking and unlawfully using medications that weren’t prescribed to him, and going to work after consuming controlled substances he was not prescribed.
The Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions and advisory committees in order to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions, ranging from medical doctors to veterinarians. Health care workers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond to the Department of Health in writing in order to trigger a settlement process.
Information about health care providers is available on the DOH website at doh.wa.gov. Visitors to the website should click on the “How Do I” section for more information. The site includes detailed information about the license status of health care workers, including the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. The information is also available by calling 360-236-4700.
