State Disciplines Several King County Health Care Providers Over Misconduct Allegations

The Washington State Department of Health has taken disciplinary action against several health care providers in King County, citing allegations ranging from unprofessional conduct to criminal violations.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, the actions are part of ongoing oversight by the agency’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division, which works with boards and commissions to regulate licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions statewide.

In King County, multiple providers were recently charged with unprofessional conduct.

In February 2026, the Department of Health charged midwife Rhonda Shannon Mitchell with unprofessional conduct. According to the department, beginning in August 2020, Mitchell allegedly failed to address a patient’s risk factors during pregnancy. The department states that the patient’s fetus died during childbirth in April 2021. The department further alleges that Mitchell did not appropriately respond to possible complications following delivery and continued treating the patient without consulting or transferring care to a physician.

In a separate case, the Board of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery charged osteopathic physician Rachael Murphy in March 2026. According to the Department of Health, Murphy allegedly improperly prescribed medication to a patient in March 2025 and did not respond to the department’s requests for information.

Also in March 2026, the Department of Health charged certified medical assistant Larry Vern Smalley with unprofessional conduct. The department alleges that between June and August 2024, Smalley violated a protection order multiple times by contacting an individual and going to that person’s home without permission. The department also states that Smalley was charged with criminal trespass in July 2024.

In addition to the charges, the Department of Health has taken disciplinary action against another provider in King County.

In March 2026, the department indefinitely suspended the credential of respiratory care practitioner Reshawn Bernard Hayes. According to the Department of Health, Hayes was arrested in 2023 on an outstanding warrant and later admitted to consuming intoxicants prior to an investigatory meeting. In addition, DOH claims that Hayes pleaded guilty in September 2023 to multiple domestic violence-related offenses, including violations of a no-contact order, harassment and third-degree malicious mischief. The department states that Hayes did not respond to its requests for information.

State officials note that health care providers charged with unprofessional conduct have 20 days to respond in writing. Cases may be resolved through settlement or proceed to a formal hearing if no agreement is reached.

The allegations described in these cases have not been proven and remain subject to the state’s disciplinary process.

Information about health care providers, including license status and disciplinary history, is available through the Department of Health’s online provider lookup tool or by calling 360-236-4700.