Department of Health

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the West Coast Health Alliance, alongside leading national medical organizations, continue to recommend COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for all eligible individuals. As the fall season approaches, the DOH emphasizes the importance of vaccinat...

The Washington State Department of Health has announced the revocation and suspension of licenses, certifications, and registrations for various health care providers. This action affects several professionals, including physicians, nurse practitioners, and mental health counselors, due to violat...

The Washington State Department of Health has announced disciplinary actions against several health care providers for various violations. Among those disciplined are a physician, a registered nurse, and a respiratory care practitioner. The actions include license suspension, revocation, and fine...

The Washington State Department of Health has disciplined 44 health care providers. The actions taken include suspensions, revocations, and fines against various professionals, such as physicians, nurses, and mental health counselors. Notable cases include a physician accused of sexual misconduct...

State health officials have suspended the license of Jeremiah Shane Dunlap, a substance use disorder professional in Pierce County, due to serious allegations, including sexual misconduct. Dunlap, who was the CEO of Rainier Recovery, is accused of making inappropriate remarks to employees, allowi...

The West Coast Health Alliance reaffirms its strong support for vaccination as a crucial measure to protect children’s health, emphasizing that extensive research involving millions of individuals globally demonstrates no link between vaccines and autism. The Alliance expresses concern over misle...

A Grays Harbor County resident has died from complications related to the H5N5 avian influenza virus, marking the first recorded human infection of this variant globally. The individual, an older adult with underlying health conditions, had been hospitalized since early November. The Washington S...

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) emphasizes the importance of vaccines as a vital tool for public health. It asserts that there is no credible scientific evidence linking vaccines to autism, aligning with national health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and ...

A Grays Harbor County resident has been confirmed with H5N5 avian influenza, marking the first detection of this strain in humans. The individual, hospitalized with influenza symptoms, has underlying health conditions and owns a mixed flock of domestic poultry exposed to wild birds. Public health...

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses and certifications of several health care providers due to serious misconduct. Key actions include the indefinite suspension of Wendy Amelia Kurinzi and Constance M. Morris, both registered nursing assistants, for abu...

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses and certifications of several health care providers due to serious misconduct, including abuse of vulnerable adults and substance misuse. Notable cases include Wendy Amelia Kurinzi and Constance M. Morris, both suspen...

A Grays Harbor County resident has preliminarily tested positive for avian influenza, marking a potential first human case in Washington for 2025. The individual, an older adult with underlying health issues, was hospitalized with symptoms including high fever and respiratory distress. Confirmato...

The Washington State Department of Health has suspended the license of Thurston County registered nurse Bradley Alan Ermey due to allegations of repeatedly sexually assaulting a vulnerable adult. This suspension prevents Ermey from practicing as a nurse in Washington, prioritizing patient safety ...

The Washington State Department of Health has announced disciplinary actions against various health care providers, including charges of unprofessional conduct against a naturopathic physician and a massage therapist. Several providers had their credentials either placed on probation, revoked, or...

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) is urging residents to receive updated vaccines for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV as the holiday season approaches. Vaccination rates have declined over the past three years, with significant decreases noted this season. To assist, DOH has introduced...

The Washington Department of Health has issued a notice of intent to deny the license application for Peninsula Counseling due to allegations that a person with a previous enforcement action is involved in its operations, including financial management and clinical supervision. This situation cou...

The Washington State Department of Health has secured additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to maintain WIC benefits through mid-to-late November. This funding supports the reduced 11-member administrative team for the Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program. The contin...

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses and certifications of several health care providers due to serious misconduct, including financial exploitation and neglect of vulnerable adults. Key cases include Jose Antonio Vasquez and Nicole Jean Barrera, both su...

The Washington State Department of Health has launched the Measles Exposure Location Tracker, an online tool providing real-time updates on measles exposure sites across the state. This initiative aims to inform the public of potential exposure, especially following a recent case at Seattle-Tacom...

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery has suspended the license of Spokane County physician Mark Hart due to his inability to practice medicine safely. This action follows allegations that Hart did not complete a required substance use disorder treatment program after a 2023 DUI convictio...

The Washington State Department of Health has disciplined various health care providers, including withdrawing charges against some. Key cases include massage therapist Kyle Stephen Pierce, who pleaded guilty to indecent liberties, and Elizabeth Aleman, who was ordered to cease unlicensed practic...

The credentials of King County mental health counselor Christopher Salim Duchene have been suspended due to charges of second-degree rape and indecent liberties stemming from allegations of sexual assault against two acquaintances. The suspension prevents him from practicing in Washington while l...

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses and certifications of several health care providers. This includes Shaun Clifton Stoops, whose nursing assistant credential was suspended due to physical abuse of a vulnerable adult; Kenny Duane Scribner, whose home c...

The Washington State Department of Health has secured additional funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ensuring the continuation of Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits through October. This funding will support the current team of 10 WIC Nutrition Program employees. Amid uncert...