State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers

OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of the following health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.

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 [email protected].

Information about health care providers is on the agency's website. Click on "Health Care Provider Lookup" under the "Find it Fast" 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 also encouraged to call and report their complaint.

King County

In July 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the moderate sedation with parenteral agents permit of Thi D. Nguyen (CS10000438). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Nguyen must submit a 10,000-word report on risk assessments for patients with comorbidities, medical consultation, and safe sedation and pass a jurisprudence exam. Nguyen must also successfully complete an ethics exam, attend two annual sessions of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology and pass at least one SIM MAN course. Nguyen did not adequately and accurately assess a patient's level of risk resulting in a poor outcome in June 2022.

Lewis County

In July 2024 the secretary of health revoked the massage therapist and certified nursing assistant licenses of Michael Paul Frietze (MA61107184, NC60680346) with no right to reapply. From September to October 2023, Frietze pled guilty to two counts of second-degree rape and one count of indecent liberties. Frietze was sentenced to 170 months to life in prison. Frietze also failed to respond to two statement of charges by January 2024 and April 2024.

Pierce County

In July 2024 the secretary of health denied the application for the pharmacy assistant license of Carole Catherine Kovac (VB61399781). In May 2021, Kovac was convicted of two counts of endangering welfare of children, a class C felony. Kovac was also convicted of DUI and harassment, both gross misdemeanors.

In August 2024 the secretary of health summarily suspended the certified nursing assistant license of Christina M. Lester (NC10084372) pending further legal action. In December 2023, the state Department of Social and Health Services, Adult Protective Services made final findings that Lester financially exploited and neglected vulnerable adults in their care. Lester is prohibited from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

Snohomish County

In July 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Ginny Marie Gabriella Jarman (RN00122559). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Jarman must complete 49.5 hours of continuing education. In December 2021, Jarman failed to timely respond to an incident involving a patient who was found on the ground suffering a seizure, resulting in a delay of care.

In August 2024 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission indefinitely suspended the certified pharmacy technician license of Rachel H. Langdon (VA00053093). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Langdon must pay a $1,000 fine and seek a substance abuse evaluation. From August 2022 to March 2023, Langdon diverted controlled substances on multiple occasions while working in a retail pharmacy. Langdon also failed to respond to a statement of charges by March 2024.

Out of State

Texas: In July 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the registered nurse and advanced registered nurse practitioner licenses of Jennifer Kay Heath (RN61234477, AP61234962-NP). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement of either credential, Heath must submit proof of completion of all educational courses required by the Texas Board of Nursing. In June 2023, the Texas Board placed Heath's advanced practice registered nurse and registered nurse credentials on probation based on findings that between approximately July 2018 and January 2019, Heath exceeded her scope of practice and fraudulently prescribed controlled substances to one patient. In November 2023, the California Board of Registered Nursing revoked Heath's registered nurse and nurse practitioner licenses based on discipline by the Texas Board. In January 2024, the Arizona State Board of Nursing accepted Heath's voluntary surrender of her advanced practice registered nurse license for unprofessional conduct to include disciplinary action by the Texas Board.