WA DOH Disciplinary Actions Against Health Care Providers

WA DOH Disciplinary Actions

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary actions against several health care providers in March 2026. Actions include charges of unprofessional conduct, agreed orders to cease practice, and termination of probation. These actions address issues such as billing fraud, practicing without a credential, and inappropriate patient relationships.

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What changed

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has issued disciplinary actions against multiple health care providers in February and January 2026, as reported on March 13, 2026. These actions include charges of unprofessional conduct for alleged billing fraud, practicing without a required credential, inappropriate patient relationships, and violations of pharmacy regulations. Specific cases involve Finn Indigo Mar (charged with billing fraud), Nicci Allen (agreed order to cease practice and a $1,000 fine), Phillip Maurice Carr (charged after pleading guilty to assault), Samuel Edward Hammer (charged with inappropriate patient relationship), Ted Joseph Bruya (charged with pharmacy violations), and Jessica Nicole Colley (application for credential denied due to alleged patient mistreatment).

Healthcare providers in Washington State must be aware of these enforcement actions as they highlight potential areas of non-compliance and unprofessional conduct. The DOH encourages consumers to report suspected unprofessional behavior. Entities and individuals facing similar allegations should consult legal counsel and respond promptly to department inquiries. Failure to comply with disciplinary orders or requirements can result in further sanctions, including permanent revocation of licenses and significant fines.

What to do next

Review disciplinary actions taken by WA DOH for potential parallels to current practices.
Ensure all healthcare providers maintain current and appropriate credentials.
Respond promptly and fully to any inquiries from the WA DOH Health Systems Quality Assurance Division.

Penalties

$1,000 fine for Nicci Allen; other actions include cease and desist orders, denial of credentials, and charges of unprofessional conduct.

Source document (simplified)

State disciplines health care providers (03-13-2026)

For immediate release: March 13, 2026 (26-036)

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, nursing assistants, counselors).

Information about health care providers is on the agency website. View the “ 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.

Clallam County

In February 2026 the Department of Health terminated the probation on Shawn Brandon Summers’s (CG61293120) agency affiliated counselor credential.

Clark County
In February 2026 the Department of Health charged mental health counselor associate Finn Indigo Mar (MC61107761) with unprofessional conduct. Between October 2022 and October 2023, Mar allegedly billed a patient’s mother $10,000 for counseling sessions he did not provide. Mar failed to respond to the department’s request for information.

King County

In February 2026 the Department of Health and Nicci Allen entered an agreed order requiring Allen to permanently cease and desist from practicing counseling unless she first obtains the required credential or meets an exception. Between March 2021 and Sept. 2023, Allen advertised counseling and therapy services, scheduled sessions, and accepted payment from clients without holding the required credential. The order also required Allen to pay a $1,000 fine.

In February 2026 the Department of Health charged independent clinical social worker Phillip Maurice Carr (LW60494715) with unprofessional conduct. In October 2023, Carr allegedly pleaded guilty to fourth-degree assault domestic violence, a gross misdemeanor.

In February 2026 the Department of Health charged massage therapist Samuel Edward Hammer (MA60433575) with unprofessional conduct. Between June 2022 and January 2023, Hammer allegedly provided massage therapy services to a patient and, in December 2022, began an inappropriate personal relationship with the patient that continued through 2025.

Lincoln County

In February 2026 the Pharmacy Quality Assurance Commission charged pharmacist Ted Joseph Bruya (PH00014225) with unprofessional conduct. In April 2019, a department inspection found Bruya allegedly used a pharmacy assistant in a technician role without approval. Inspections in September 2023 and April 2024 also found Bruya allegedly failed to correct previously identified deficiencies related to outpatient labeling and expired drugs and again used a pharmacy assistant in a technician role without approval. Bruya later admitted he had not corrected the deficiencies.

Pierce County

In January 2026 the Department of Health denied Jessica Nicole Colley’s (HM61525492) application for a home care aide credential. In July 2024, Colley allegedly created Snapchat videos while on duty, filmed and taunted residents, and made inappropriate gestures and comments while providing care.

Snohomish County

In February 2026 the Chiropractic Quality Assurance Commission charged chiropractor John J. Sim (CH00034211) with unprofessional conduct. After the department received a complaint in June 2023, Sim allegedly failed to provide requested patient records, later reporting he did not maintain treatment records for the identified individuals.

Thurston County

In February 2026 the Department of Health charged substance use disorder professional trainee Ryan Shaw (CO61662702) with unprofessional conduct. In June 2025, Shaw allegedly reported to his employer that he had relapsed on marijuana and requested to enter treatment.

Out of State

Oregon: In January 2026 the Department of Health denied Cristel Bratcher’s (NA70053179) application for a registered nursing assistant credential. Bratcher failed to disclose on her September 2025 application that Virginia revoked her certified nurse aide credential in August 2020. Bratcher did not respond to the department’s requests for information.

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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