For immediate release: February 13, 2024 (24-018)
Contact: DOH Communications
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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 “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 encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In January 2024 the Dental Quality Assurance Commission charged dentist and dentist moderate sedation with parenteral agents David A. Keller (DE00011209, CS60035682) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between February 2019 and July 2020, Keller provided substandard care to a patient resulting in failed maxillary implants.
Ferry County
In January 2024 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Vienna Michele LaFrenz of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that between 2017 and 2020, LaFrenz provided services to patients as an integrative medicine doctor. LaFrenz has never held a physician license in the state of Washington.
King County
In January 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program and Teresia Wanjiku Kiminda (NA61285478) entered an agreed order on her registered nursing assistant license. The license is on probation for at least two years, during which time Kiminda’s employer must submit quarterly performance evaluation reports. Kiminda must also enroll in a substance use disorder program. In May 2022 and January 2023, Kiminda was arrested for driving under the influence.
In January 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Melissa Michele Morato (CO61214960).
Pierce County
In January 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the optometrist license of Joseph Theodore Beaushaw (OD60545495).
In January 2024 the Substance Use Disorder Professional Program charged substance use disorder professional trainee Luis Cristobal Medina (CO61033705) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2023, Medina engaged in a sexual relationship with a former patient.
Skagit County
In January 2024 the secretary of health terminated the probation on the certified medical assistant hemodialysis technician license of Amy Leigh Taylor (HT60417704).
Thurston County
In January 2024 the secretary of health granted Ashley Renee Simon (CG61198392) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation until at least November 3, 2024, during which time Simon must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports.
In January 2024 the Agency Affiliated Counselor Program and the Social Worker Program charged registered agency affiliated counselor and independent clinical social worker associate Jonathan Mark Hoyer (CG61114074, SC61124149) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Hoyer responded to the Department of Health regarding complaints on his job performance by reporting he had experienced a substance abuse relapse.
Yakima County
In December 2023 the secretary of health granted Sarah Jean Palmer (CG61486814) a license to practice as an agency affiliated counselor with conditions on the license. The license is on probation for at least three years, during which time Palmer must work under an approved supervisor who submits quarterly performance evaluation reports.
Out of State
Florida: In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Jennifer P. Calderin (RN61141659) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in February 2022, Calderin tested positive for cocaine on a substance use test requested by her employer.
Idaho: In December 2023 the Social Worker Program charged licensed independent clinical social worker Jill Susann Howard (SC61166897) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that between August 2022 and March 2023, Howard engaged in a sexual relationship with a former patient.
Iowa: In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) charged registered nurse Dawn Marie Leach (RN60376862) with unprofessional conduct. In December 2022, the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing placed Leach’s Massachusetts registered nurse license on probation.
Oregon: In January 2024 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Tara L. Milburn (NC10065711) with unprofessional conduct. In October 2020, Milburn was convicted of fourth-degree domestic violence, gross misdemeanor, third-degree assault, a class C felony, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor. Between May and July 2021, Milburn was convicted three times of violation of a no contact order-domestic violence and one conviction malicious mischief - third-degree domestic violence, all gross misdemeanors. In September 2022, Milburn was convicted of custodial assault and third-degree assault, both class C felonies, and fourth-degree assault and violation of a no contact order-domestic violence, both gross misdemeanors.
In January 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) reinstated the licensed practical nurse license of Caroline Wanjiru Dion (LP60798050) provided that she meets the relevant regulatory requirements for credentialing.
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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