Membership to the Medical Commission is by Governor appointment for full commission members and by the Executive Director of the Medical Commission for Pro Tem membership. To apply for appointment you must complete and submit an online application to the Office of the Governor. If you have any additional questions regarding membership on the Medical Commission, please contact us.

The Medical Commission is Recruiting!

The Commission is currently accepting applications to fill upcoming vacancies. We are looking for people willing to study the issues and make decisions in the best interest of the public. Our member selection reflects the diversity of the profession and provides representation throughout the state. Learn more on how to apply. 
 

Medical Commission Members
Karen Domino, MD - Chair
Terry Murphy, MD - Vice Chair
Ed Lopez, PA - Officer-at-Large
Jimmy Chung, MD	June 2025	Congressional District 1
Sarah Lyle, MD	June 2027	Congressional District 2
Po-Shen Chang, MD	June 2026	Congressional District 3
Terry Murphy, MD	June 2027	Congressional District 4
April Jaeger, MD	June 2026	Congressional District 5
Claire Trescott, MD	June 2024	Congressional District 6
Anjali D'Souza, MD	June 2025	Congressional District 7
Harlan Gallinger, MD	June 2024	Congressional District 8
Vacant		Congressional District 9
Richard Wohns, MD	June 2023	Congressional District 10
Elisha Mvundura, MD	June 2026	Physician at Large
Diana Currie, MD	June 2027	Physician at Large
Karen Domino, MD	June 2024	Physician at Large
Ed Lopez, PA-C	June 2026	Physician Assistant
Arlene Dorrough, PA-C	June 2025	Physician Assistant
Toni Borlas	June 2022	Public Member
Christine Blake, CPMSM	June 2025	Public Member
Robert Pullen	June 2026	Public Member
Scott Rodgers	June 2023	Public Member
Michael Bailey	June 2027	Public Member
Jamie Koop	June 2026	Public Member

Description

The mandate of the Washington Medical Commission (WMC) is to protect the public’s health and safety and to promote the welfare of the state by regulating the competency and quality of professional healthcare providers under its jurisdiction. WMC accomplishes this mandate through a variety of activities in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Health Systems Quality Assurance Division.

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The Governor appoints members to four-year staggered terms:

The Medical Commission is composed of 21 governor-appointed members. There are opportunities each year for new commission member candidates to be considered.

• Thirteen physicians; one from each congressional district and three at-large positions.
• Six public members.
• Two physician assistants.

The Department of Health Secretary delegates the authority to the WMC Executive Director to appoint physicians, physician assistants and public members to serve as pro tempore members. Their purpose is to ensure there are sufficient case reviewers, panel members for hearings, and adequate representation on special committees. Commissioners are paid $31.25 per hour, up to $250 per day, for their work. They are also reimbursed for travel at the same rate as a state employee. 

Code of Ethics

Commissioners shall:

• Make fair and objective decisions.
• Strictly maintain confidentiality.
• Avoid improper ex parte contacts.
• Recuse themselves when there is a real or potential conflict of interest, or the appearance of such a conflict.
• Protect the integrity of those who appear before the commission.
• Support the decisions of the commission in public.

Duties

• Establish qualifications for minimal competency to grant or deny licensure of allopathic physicians and physician assistants
• Regulate the competency and quality of professional healthcare providers under its jurisdiction by establishing, monitoring and enforcing qualifications for licensure
• Establish and monitor compliance with continuing education requirements
• Ensure consistent standards of practice
• Develop continuing competency mechanisms
• Assess, investigate and make recommendations related to complaints against physicians and physician assistants which may range from a notice of correction to a license revocation
• Serve as reviewing members on disciplinary cases and serve on disciplinary hearing panels
• Serve as members of standing committees, when appointed
• Develop rules, policies and procedures that promote the delivery of quality healthcare to the residents of the state

Qualifications

The WMC is made up of 13 allopathic physicians, six public members, and two physician assistants appointed by the Governor. Ten physician members represent their congressional districts. All members must be residents of Washington State.

Physician and Physician Assistant commission members must have been licensed to practice medicine in Washington State for at least five years.  

Public member representatives may not:

• Be a member of any other healthcare licensing board or commission
• Have a fiduciary obligation to a facility rendering healthcare services regulated by the commission
• Have a material or financial interest in the rendering of health services regulated by the commission

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Participation Expectation Guidelines

The following expectation guidelines are intended to serve as a reference for current members and for prospective appointees of the WMC:

• New appointees to the commission are expected to attend a new member orientation.
• Attend regular WMC meetings, scheduled for one to two days during business hours on Thursday and Friday about every six weeks. WMC establishes its meeting schedule at least one year in advance. The typical time commitment ranges between 16 to 20 days per year which also includes an annual WMC workshop, and the Department of Health one-day Board/Commission/Committee conference.
• WMC members may be appointed to standing committees:   
  • The policy committee meets about every six weeks, usually on Thursday after the WMC case reviews 
  • Ad hoc committees meet as needed, usually during regularly scheduled business meetings
• Prepare for all meetings by reading materials sent one to two weeks in advance of the scheduled meeting date. The packets take an average of two to four hours to read prior to each business meeting. In addition, between eight and 24 hours are spent reviewing complaint files prior to each meeting.
• Participate on disciplinary panels that may meet by telephone or in person several times per year. Sometimes panels meet with short advance notice in order to respond to emergent situations to protect the public. Hearings may also be scheduled separately from regular meetings because of the number of cases that need to be heard.
• Assist newly appointed WMC members as necessary

Total Annual Time Commitment

Meetings/Conferences	16 to 20 days per year
Meeting Preparation	Two to four hours per meeting (about two days per year)
Complaint File Preparation	Two to four days per month
Complaint File Review	48-72 hours per meeting (about 15 days per year)
Hearing Panels	Two to four days per year

Performance Guidelines for the Appointed Commissioners

Attend an orientation presented by the WMC outlining program development, issues discussed in past WMC business or committee meetings, and the organizational relationship and responsibilities of the WMC and the Department of Health. Members will be assigned a mentor for assistance.

Current Meeting Schedule

Regular Medical Commission business meetings and panels are scheduled about every six weeks.

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