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

For immediate release: March 21, 2024   (24-033)

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 media@wmc.wa.gov.

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.

Benton County

In February 2024 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Omar Adi (NA60206508). Adi may not petition for reinstatement for at least five years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Adi must pay a $1,000 fine and complete eight hours of law and ethics continuing education. In January 2023, Adi was placed on the Department of Social and Health Services long-term care abuse and neglect registry for neglecting a vulnerable adult.

King County

In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) summarily suspended the registered nurse license of Samuel Richard Gavit (RN60813746) pending further legal action. In May 2023 the California Board of Registered Nursing revoked Gavit’s license to practice as registered nurse in the state of California due to his conviction of driving with a 0.08 or higher blood alcohol.

Pierce County

In February 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency affiliated counselor and mental health counselor associate licenses of DonnaMarie Sweet (CG60323134, MC60679009). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Sweet must pay a $10,000 fine and complete a professional boundaries course. In July 2021 and 2022, Sweet had social relationships with patients and had a social incident where the patient was made to feel distressed.

In February 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the massage therapist license of Deon Abdullah (MA61102744). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Abdullah must pay a $1,000 fine and pass an ethics course. Between April 2022 and May 2023, Abdullah engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient.

In February 2024 the secretary of health suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Ayla Alexandra Adamson (NA60885880). Adamson may not petition for reinstatement for at least two years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Adamson must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. Adamson must also provide proof of compliance with all court requirements pertaining to previous court cases. In August 2023, Adamson failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding her guilty pleas to two counts of fourth-degree assault, a gross misdemeanor, and resisting arrest, a misdemeanor.

Snohomish County

In February 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the agency affiliated counselor and substance use disorder professional trainee licenses of Deena Lynn Elliott (CG61382507, CO61391959). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Elliott must comply with the investigation in previous court cases. In May 2023, Elliott failed to respond to a letter of cooperation regarding allegations of illicit use of methamphetamines and fentanyl.

Spokane County

In February 2024 the secretary of health suspended the x-ray technician and certified medical assistant licenses of Sheylyn Taree Karkhanin (CM60376683, XT60146872). Karkhanin may not petition for reinstatement for at least seven years. Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Karkhanin must pay a $2,000 fine and complete an ethics course. Between January and October 2019, while working at a correctional facility, Karkhanin had sexual relationships with patients, provided drugs to patients, and accessed and shared patient medical information without consent.

Thurston County

In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the licensed practical nurse license of Norma Mendoza Allarde (LP00039075). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Allarde must complete a jurisprudence module and complete 18 hours of continuing education in the areas of skin and wound care and patient advocacy and ethical nursing practice. Between January 31 and February 1, 2022, Allarde documented completion of physician-ordered wound care for two patients but did not provide the care as documented.

Walla Walla

In February 2024 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant license of Zhakeyzha Asalemo (NA61311367). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Asalemo must respond to the letter of cooperation and pay a $250 fine. In January 2023, Asalemo transferred money from a patient’s debit card to her account without permission.

Out of State

California: In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) summarily suspended the registered nurse license of John Allen Schultz (RN60499538) pending further legal action. In October 2023 the California Board of Registered Nursing accepted the surrender of Schultz’s license to practice as a registered nurse in the state of California. Schultz was convicted of a domestic violence felony.

Idaho: In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) suspended the registered nurse license of Randall Wade Reding (RN60758047). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Reding must provide documentation that he has been sober for at least 12 consecutive months. In October 2022, Reding voluntarily surrendered his Idaho registered nurse license and he failed to comply with a monitoring contract.

Tennessee: In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Michael Patrick Leahy (RN61282977). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Leahy must complete 10 hours of continuing education in the areas of documentation and professional accountability. Between April and May 2022, Leahy failed to properly document medication administration on multiple occasions and did not follow patient-care instructions properly.

Texas: In February 2024 the Board of Nursing (formerly the Nursing Commission) indefinitely suspended the registered nurse license of Lori Kilpatrick (RN60902964). Prior to petitioning for reinstatement, Kilpatrick must contact a monitoring program and, if required, enroll in the monitoring program. Between March and April 2020, Kilpatrick repeatedly failed to account for controlled substances. In June 2023, the Colorado Board of Nursing indefinitely suspended Kilpatrick’s privilege to practice nursing in the state of Colorado for failure to comply with a prior Board order.

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