WA DOH Revokes and Suspends Health Care Provider Licenses

WA DOH Disciplinary Actions

Filed March 13th, 2026

Detected March 19th, 2026

Summary

The Washington State Department of Health has revoked and suspended licenses for several health care providers in February 2026 due to professional misconduct, including sexual misconduct, financial exploitation, and substance abuse. These actions impact providers across multiple counties and highlight the department's ongoing enforcement of licensing standards.

View original document View source feed page

What changed

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has issued disciplinary actions, including indefinite and multi-year suspensions, against multiple healthcare providers in February 2026. Specific cases involve agency affiliated counselors Albert C. Virachismith and Spencer Layne Pitcock for sexual misconduct and substance abuse with patients, substance use disorder professional trainee Ashley M. Williams for intoxication and inappropriate patient contact, and assistant medical phlebotomist Nancy Ann Cope for financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult. These actions demonstrate the DOH's commitment to upholding professional standards and protecting public safety.

Healthcare providers in Washington State must be aware that the DOH actively investigates and disciplines individuals for violations of professional conduct, including sexual misconduct, financial exploitation, and substance abuse. Failure to respond to department inquiries can also lead to disciplinary action. The DOH maintains a public database of provider credentials and disciplinary actions, accessible via their website, allowing consumers to verify license status and report concerns. Non-compliance with licensing standards and ethical conduct can result in license suspension or revocation, impacting a provider's ability to practice.

What to do next

Review disciplinary actions taken by the WA DOH against healthcare providers.
Ensure all licensed healthcare providers within the organization are aware of the professional conduct standards and potential consequences of violations.
Report any suspected unprofessional conduct to the WA DOH.

Penalties

License suspensions (indefinite and for at least one to two years), revocation of credentials, placement on vulnerable adult abuse registry.

Source document (simplified)

State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers (03-13-2026)

For immediate release: March 13, 2026 (26-035)

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.

King County

In February 2026 the Department of Health suspended Albert C. Virachismith’s (CG61136396) agency affiliated counselor credential for at least two years. Between August 2020 and February 2023, Virachismith solicited money from and made sexualized comments to a patient and sounded intoxicated during work hours when he invited the same patient to his home. Virachismith did not respond to the department’s requests for information.

Lewis County

In February 2026 the Department of Health indefinitely suspended Spencer Layne Pitcock’s (CG61430035) agency affiliated counselor credential. After a patient’s discharge, Pitcock contacted them on social media and visited their home where he made inappropriate physical contact and attempted to start a romantic relationship. Pitcock also offered marijuana to the patient and used marijuana in the patient’s presence.

In February 2026 the Department of Health suspended Ashley M. Williams’s (CO61038645) substance use disorder professional trainee credential for at least one year. In November 2024, Williams informed her employer that she was too intoxicated to report to work. Prior to this, Williams gave a patient her personal phone number and disclosed personal information. Williams did not respond to the department’s request for information.

Whatcom County

In February 2026 the Department of Health indefinitely suspended Nancy Ann Cope’s (PC61087406) assistant medical phlebotomist credential. In August 2025, the Department of Social and Health Services determined that Cope financially exploited a vulnerable adult and placed her on its vulnerable adult abuse registry effective July 2025. Placement on the registry disqualifies Cope from working with vulnerable adults. Cope failed to respond to the department’s request for information.

Our website is your source for a healthy dose of information. Get updates by following us on social media.