OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions or modified actions against three health care providers in Pierce County.
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission agreed to reinstate the licensed practical nurse credential of Gina Marie Weathers (LP00040977), placed her on probation and ordered her to undergo evaluation for a substance abuse monitoring program. Her license was suspended in 2011 because she didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
In July 2016 the Nursing Commission entered an agreement with registered nurse Crystal Lee Schwab (RN60249039) that requires her to re-enter and comply with a substance abuse monitoring program. Schwab didn’t abide by previous substance abuse monitoring contracts.
In July 2016 the Nursing Assistant Program entered an agreement with certified nursing assistant Dennis Kinuthia Ngugi (NC60247238) that fines him $250, and requires him to complete continuing education in law and ethics, patient rights and dignity, and quality of life. Ngugi left a resident unattended who requires constant supervision. The state Department of Social and Health Services will not allow him to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
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 (medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health website (www.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.
– Washington State Department of Health
