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

For immediate release: July 1, 2024 (24-079)

Contact: DOH Communications
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700

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.

Snohomish County

In May 2024 the secretary of health revoked the home care aide license of Dawn Marie Strom (HM60740848). In April 2020, Strom was placed on the Department of Social and Health's registry as a person disqualified from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children for financially exploiting a vulnerable adult.

Spokane County

In March 2024 the secretary of health revoked the home care aide license of Suzan Estelle Gilmer (HM60484185). In November 2023, Gilmer was placed on the Department of Social and Health's registry as a person disqualified from caring for vulnerable adults, juveniles, and children for financially exploiting a vulnerable adult.

Stevens County

In June 2024 the secretary of health suspended the midwife license of Dana K. Combest (MW00000267). Combest may not petition for reinstatement for at least one year. Prior to reinstatement, Combest must complete 23 hours of continuing education in the areas of recordkeeping, charting, informed consent, fetal heart rate monitoring, fetal assessment in labor, birth emergency management for out-of-hospital providers and breech deliveries. Combest must prepare and submit her midwifery practice guidelines that identify procedures and routines of care and the circumstances under which consultation, co-management, referral, and transfer of care of women and neonates are to take place. In January 2021, Combest practiced below the standard of care by not identifying fetal distress as an indicator to transport and failing to inform the patient of all the risks prior to delivery.

Walla Walla County

In May 2024 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Robert C. Johnson (NA60242112). Johnson may not petition for reinstatement for at least two years. In June 2023, Johnson was placed on the Department of Social and Health Services' long-term care abuse and neglect registry for financially exploiting a vulnerable adult. Johnson is prohibited from being employed in the care of or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.

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