The Tennessee Department of Health released its monthly disciplinary action report for January, documenting actions taken by health-related licensing boards against practitioners in Middle Tennessee.
Chiropractors
Among chiropractors, Dwaine Allison practiced on a lapsed license for approximately four months and agreed to a civil penalty of $1,500. Matthew Kuo and Taryn Shaw both failed to complete continuing education requirements, each receiving civil penalties of $600 with orders to submit required continuing education. Samantha Oberg practiced on a lapsed license for approximately three months and was assessed a $1,000 civil penalty. Lauren Stemle also failed to complete continuing education requirements and agreed to a $600 civil penalty. Lee Thomas paid a marketer for referring accident victims to his clinic around 2020; his license was suspended with suspension immediately stayed, and he was placed on 180-day probation with required EBAS test and Tennessee Medical Foundation evaluation.
Dentistry
The Board of Dentistry cited multiple dental hygienists and assistants for continuing education violations, with civil penalties ranging from $150 to $600. Anita J. Galloway, DDS, faced more serious charges including unprofessional conduct, failure to complete required continuing education, and submission of falsified continuing education certificates, resulting in a reprimand and $600 civil penalty. Joseph Glover, DMD, was deficient in sedation/anesthesia continuing education hours for the 2021-2022 audit cycle by four hours and was required to complete make-up hours. George Wesely Smiley, DDS, was reprimanded for his second continuing education violation, with a civil penalty of $1,200 and requirement to provide in-person ACLS/PALS verification within 30 days.
Mental Health and Social Work
Lena Wooton, LPC/MHSP, conducted client sessions in non-private environments with others present and submitted fraudulent certificates; she was required to complete 15 additional continuing education courses covering boundaries, confidentiality, and ethics, with civil penalties of $1,000. Michelle Bruning and Kimberly McLaurin, both licensed clinical social workers, practiced on lapsed or expired licenses and received civil penalties of $300 and $400 respectively.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://rutherfordsource.com/health-professionals-boards-disciplinary-actions-for-jan-2026/