For immediate release: June 3, 2022 (22-077)
Contact: Sharon Moysiuk, Communications 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
OLYMPIA — The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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.
Benton County
In March 2022 the secretary of health ordered Sami Anwar to cease and desist from practicing medicine in Washington and pay a fine of $1,000. Anwar was the chief operating officer of a medical center and intervened in medical care at the center, but he has never held a credential to practice as a physician or a surgeon in Washington.
Clark County
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse license of Jill Suzanne Thompson (RN60864873).
Cowlitz County
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission ended probation on the registered nurse license of Daniel K. Stoneking (RN00172588).
Grant County
In April 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Alison Dawn Sedlacek (HM60620759) with unprofessional conduct. Sedlacek allegedly took a hydrocodone pill from a resident at the adult family home where she worked.
King County
In April 2022 the Medical Assistant Program charged certified medical assistant Heidi Marie Vaughn (CM60366750) with unprofessional conduct. Vaughn was convicted of gross misdemeanor theft in Federal Way Municipal Court and Snohomish County District Court in 2015. In 2016, Vaughn was convicted of unlawful solicitation to possess a controlled substance in Pierce County Superior Court. Vaughn allegedly failed to provide a required explanation to a department of health investigator.
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission reinstated with conditions the registered nurse license of Chris Leon Porter (RN00148053). Porter agreed to the conditions, which place his license on probation and prohibits him from practicing until he has successfully completed a refresher course. His credential will then remain on probation for at least 18 months, during which time he may not teach and may not accept employment in health care without prior approval from the Nursing Commission. He must also submit progress reports and ensure that his employer submits quarterly employer reports.
In April 2022 the Dental Commission charged dentist Stephen L. Ong (DE00006528) with unprofessional conduct for alleged improper record-keeping and treatment below the standard of care.
Pierce County
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Elizabeth Tracy Anderson (RN60136609) with unprofessional conduct after she was allegedly out of compliance with a substance use monitoring program.
Snohomish County
In April 2022 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Mary Mellisa Carver (HM60680966) with unprofessional conduct. Carver allegedly failed to provide a required statement to a department of health investigator related to a complaint alleging Carver made sexual advances toward a resident at the assisted living facility where she was the activities director.
In April 2022 the secretary of health reinstated the registered nursing assistant license of Raquel Rona Kenagy (NA60451636).
Spokane County
In April 2022 the secretary of health granted with conditions an agency affiliated counselor license to Tawni Ashlyn Zuniga (CG61231426). Zuniga agreed to the conditions, which include four years’ probation, professional supervision, and quarterly reports. Between 2018 and 2020, Zuniga was convicted of burglary and assault-domestic violence, among other things.
In April 2022 the Chiropractic Commission charged chiropractor Timothy Bruce Price (CH00034209) with unprofessional conduct for allegedly engaging in sexual activity and sexually demeaning behavior with a patient.
Yakima County
In April 2022 the Nursing Commission ended conditions on the registered nurse license of Mark D. Young (RN00136107).
Out of State
Oregon: In April 2022 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Victoria Dimm Deeks (RN00077017) entered an agreement that requires Deeks to participate in a substance use monitoring program. The Oregon State Board of Nursing suspended Deeks’ license for one year and then Deeks’ license was to be placed on probation for 36 months with random urine drug testing after Deeks was convicted of driving while under the influence of intoxicants in Oregon.
South Dakota: In April 2022 the Nursing Commission charged registered nurse Megan Colleen Grissom (RN60536670) with unprofessional conduct for violating the conditions of a substance use monitoring contract she agreed to participate in in lieu of discipline.
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.
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