State disciplines health care providers

For immediate release: July 17, 2023 (23-098)

Contact: DOH CommunicationsPublic 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OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or withdrawn charges against the following health care providers in our state.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 [email protected].

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.

In June 2023 the Massage Therapist Program charged massage therapist Leilei Wang (MA60970494) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that Wang failed to comply with a 2021 probationary stipulation in which she agreed to unannounced record keeping audits. In November 2022, Wang allegedly could not provide patient records during one of these audits and had expired licenses displayed throughout the business.

In June 2023 the secretary of health issued a cease-and-desist order to Brenda Guerrero-Gonzalez. In or around July and August of 2022, Guerrero-Gonzalez advertised that she provided massage therapy as well as “vacuum therapy, radio frequency therapy, LED light therapy, lipo laser, lymphatic massages and postoperative care” and advised a prospective patient that she removes “post-surgery drainage tubes and stitches.” Guerrero-Gonzalez does not and has never held credentials to practice as a massage therapist, advanced registered nurse practitioner, physician, or surgeon in Washington. Guerrero-Gonzalez must immediately cease and desist from any and all conduct in the practice of massage therapy, advanced nursing care, or medicine. She must also pay a $1,000 fine.

In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged Christina Lynn Goers (NC60726732) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in 2019 an 82-year-old resident of the facility where Goers was employed transferred money to her numerous times totaling $7,525 dollars.

In June 2023 the Dental Commission and Jessica Lee Finn (D161409109) agreed to conditions on her dental assistant license. Finn must contact, enroll, and participate in a substance use monitoring program. In April 2015, Finn was convicted of second-degree identity theft and forgery, both felonies. Finn was convicted of third-degree theft, a misdemeanor, in both May 2016 and June 2022. In the application, Finn stated that substance use was a concern.

In June 2023 the Nursing Commission and registered nurse Karen Ann Price (RN60181825) entered an Agreed Order. Price must continue to comply with a substance use monitoring program. Between May and October of 2022, on several occasions, Price was brought to the hospital because she was intoxicated and showing signs of an altered mental status, and was engaging in disruptive behavior. In November 2022, Price entered a substance use monitoring program.

In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program amended charges of unprofessional conduct against certified nursing assistant Candace Ann Saucedo (NC61019125). Saucedo allegedly cashed the same checks from a patient at multiple banks. Charges state that the patient’s payments totaled $2,780, but she received $4,310 from cashing the checks more than once. In April 2022, Saucedo was charged with theft in Pierce County Superior Court. The amendment states that in January 2023, Saucedo has since pled guilty to two charges of second-degree theft, both felonies, and was sentenced to community custody for six months.

In June 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation of the certified nursing assistant license of Joshua Michael Nicholson (NC60804330).

In June 2023 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Lionel D. Folgado (NC61051226) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in January 2022, Folgado physically and verbally intimidated a patient.

In June 2023 the secretary of health ended the probation on the substance use disorder professional trainee license of Kaylee Rae Zornes (CO61032199).

In June 2023 the Unlicensed Practice Program notified Patty Soots of its intent to issue a cease-and-desist order. Charges state that Soots performed a dental extraction on an animal while working as an unregistered assistant of a licensed veterinarian.

In June 2023 the Home Care Aide Program charged home care aide Tricia L. Cline (HM60913330) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in May 2022, Cline slept through a patient falling and injuring himself.

In June 2023 the secretary of health reinstated the certified nursing assistant license of Jennifer Amy Maione (NC10020758).

In June 2023 the secretary of health and Christina Yumiko Stivers (CG61299807) agreed to conditions on her agency affiliated counselor license. The license will be on probation for three years, during which time Stivers must work under an approved supervisor that submits quarterly performance evaluation reports. In September 2019, Stivers was convicted of a DUI and possession of a controlled substance, both misdemeanors; in June 2020 of felony heroin possession with intent to deliver; and in January 2021 of possession of a controlled substance, a misdemeanor.

Idaho: In June 2023 the Midwifery Program charged Cathleen Ann Weston (MW60050144) with unprofessional conduct. Charges state that in July 2021, Weston pleaded guilty to providing false information affecting a certificate of live birth, a felony, in Kootenai District Court in the state of Idaho.

Wyoming: In June 2023 the Nursing Commission and Connie Lee Buck (AP60794627-NP, RN60796613) entered an Agreed Order in which her credentials were placed on probation for at least 24 months. During the probationary period, Buck must obtain or continue counseling from an approved counselor, psychiatrist or psychologist who must provide quarterly reports to the Commission, submit personal progress reports directly to the Commission, may not accept employment in the health care field without prior approval from the Commission, may not engage in solo practice as an advanced registered nurse practitioner, may only be employed as a registered nurse where there is indirect supervision, and may not be employed in community based care. In 2020, Buck was convicted of stalking and identity theft in a Wyoming District Court. In 2021, the Wyoming State Board of Nursing entered a settlement agreement that subjected Buck’s credentials to conditions for a minimum of 12 months. As a result, in 2021, Montana entered an order requiring that Buck’s credential be placed on probation for a period of 10 years.

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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