Top Doctors: The Big List

With health-care reform at the top of the nation’s to-do list and an economy that has put many people into their own personal health-care crisis, it may seem difficult to find bright spots on the medical horizon. But Seattle’s a town known for innovation—in technology and other areas, including medicine. For example, it turns out that the answer to the health-care problem may be hatching right in our backyard, in a program piloted by a local health-care organization. Plus, a Seattle doc has some of the best news we’ve heard in a long time about the potential health benefits of our favorite beverage. And one more (big!) bright spot: As our annual list of top doctors attests, there’s no shortage of outstanding physicians around town. We culled our much-anticipated list from the recommendations sent in response to a survey delivered to 10,000 doctors in the greater Seattle area. We hope you’ll never need to call on one of the best cardiac specialists or oncologists in town, but if you do, take comfort in knowing that you’re in a community where the resources are close at hand.

Behind the Scene: How we conducted our survey

THE LIST
Here’s how the list reads:
Name of practitioner, credentials, clinic or hospital name, clinic address, clinic phone number; Web site; special expertise; other hospital affiliations; medical school, date of graduation. An asterisk (*) following the name indicates that the physician is not seeing new patients; two asterisks (**) indicate that the physician is not seeing new patients, but expects to do so within 12 months.

CREDENTIALS
A number of initials are used in this list to indicate medical and professional degrees. Here’s what they stand for:

• L.AC. Licensed Acupuncturist
• M.D. Doctor of Medicine
• M.H.A. Master of Health Administration
• M.P.H. Master of Public Health
• N.D. Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine 
• O.M.D. Doctor of Oriental Medicine
• Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy (doctorate)

ADDICTION MEDICINE
Steven Juergens, M.D.,* 11201 SE Eighth St., Suite 105, Bellevue, 425.454.0255; general and addiction psychiatry; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Mayo Medical School, 1979

Joseph Merrill, M.D., M.P.H., Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave., 206.744.3000; uwmedicine.org; Yale University, 1990

Jim Walsh, M.D., Swedish Addiction Recovery, 5300 Tallman Ave. NW, 206.781.6048; swedish.org; family medicine; Swedish Medical Center; State University of New York, Brooklyn, 1992


ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
Cora Breuner, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4500 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2028; seattlechildrens.org; eating disorders; University of Washington Medical Center; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1982

Jeffrey Lindenbaum, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 13451 SE 36th St., Bellevue, 425.562.1350; ghc.org; State University of New York, Buffalo, 1966


ALLERGIES/IMMUNOLOGY
Garrison Ayars, M.D., Allergy & Asthma Associates, 1200 112th Ave. NE, Suite 210, Bellevue, 425.454.2191; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1976

William Butler, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 125 16th Ave. E, 206.326.2391; ghc.org; clinical and laboratory immunology; Virginia Mason Medical Center; Ohio State University, 1973

Britton Georges, M.D., 1515 116th Ave. NE, Suite 207, Bellevue, 425.454.3329; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; George Washington University, 1972

ARvinder Mokha, M.D., The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.860.4487; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Maryland, 1995

David M. Robinson, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.223.6822; virginiamason.org; internal medicine; St. Louis University, 1983


PEDIATRIC ALLERGIES/IMMUNOLOGY
Mary Farrington, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.341.0404 and 19116 33rd Ave. W, Lynnwood, 425.712.7900; virginiamason.org; Seattle Children’s Hospital; Indiana University, 1987

Mary Lasley, M.D., Northwest Asthma & Allergy Center, 4540 Sand Point Way NE, 206.527.1200; asthmainc.org; Seattle Children’s Hospital; University of Nebraska, 1990


ANESTHESIOLOGY
Shelley Agricola, M.D., Matrix Anesthesia, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 310, Bellevue, 425.451.4141; cardiac anesthesia; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Utah, 1979

Alan Artru, M.D., University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., 206.598.4260; uwmedicine.org; neuroanesthesia; Medical College of Wisconsin, 1971

Daniel J. Baldini, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 11511 NE 10th St., Bellevue, 425.502.4068; ghc.org; Medical College of Virginia, 1977

Robert Caplan, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.223.6980; virginiamason.org; Yale University, 1977

Jeff Tomlin, M.D., Matrix Anesthesia, 12040 NE 128th St., Kirkland, 425.899.3424; Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1986

Ian H. Wright, M.D., Physicians Anesthesia Service, 1229 Madison St., Suite 1440, 206.625.0578; pasanes.com; Swedish Medical Center; St. Bartholomew’s Hospital Medical College, United Kingdom, 1980


PEDIATRIC ANESTHESIOLOGY
Vince M. Lucero, M.D., Physicians Anesthesia Service, 1229 Madison St., Suite 1440, 206.625.0578; pasanes.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Colorado, 1980


BARIATRIC SURGERY
Steven Bock, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 11511 NE 10th St., Bellevue, 425.502.3450; ghc.org; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; New York University, 1982

Joseph Chebli, M.D., Northwest Obesity Surgery, 1570 N 115th St., Suite 5, 206.368.1230; northwestobesitysurgery.com; advanced laparoscopy, general surgery; Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; State University of New York, Stony Brook, 1995

Kelly Clinch, M.D., Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, 12333 NE 130th Lane, Suite 420, Kirkland, 425.899.5500; evergreenhealthcare.org; general surgery; University of Washington, 1994

Jeffrey A. Hunter, M.D., Virginia Mason Federal Way, 33501 First Way S, Federal Way, 253.874.1604; virginiamason.org; general surgery; Virginia Mason Medical Center; University of Cincinnati, 1978

Kevin Montgomery, M.D., Northwest Weight Loss Surgery, 125 130th St. SE, Everett, 425.385.2263; nwwls.com; Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1986


CARDIAC SURGERY
Mark Hill, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.223.6198; virginiamason.org; University of Utah, 1989

Vu T. Hoang, M.D., Overlake Medical Clinics, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 605, Bellevue, 425.454.8161; thoracic surgery; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, Valley Medical Center; University of Florida, 1990

Edward D. Verrier, M.D., University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., 206.598.8200; uwmedicine.org; Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Harborview Medical Center; Tufts University, 1974


PEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY
Gordon Cohen, M.D., Ph.D., Heart Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2198; seattlechildrens.org; pediatric thoracic surgery; Tulane University, 1989


CARDIOLOGY
Thomas Amidon, M.D., Overlake Internal Medicine Associates, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425.454.2656; oima.org; interventional cardiology; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Duke University, 1986

Peter Demopulos, M.D., Seattle Cardiology, 1730 Minor Ave., Suite 1010, 206.215.4545; washingtonheartdoctors.org; interventional cardiology; Swedish Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Stanford University, 1981

Tim Dewhurst, M.D., The Polyclinic, 550 17th Ave., Suite 400, 206.860.4751; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Alberta, Canada, 1986

Joseph Doucette, M.D., Overlake Internal Medicine Associates, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425.454.2656; oima.org; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Harvard University, 1984

Christopher Fellows, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.341.1981; virginiamason.org; electrophysiology; Oregon Health & Science University, 1979

John W. Nemanich, M.D., Southlake Clinic, 4011 Talbot Road S, Suite 500, Renton, 425.251.5110; southlakeclinic.com; interventional cardiology; Valley Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center; University of Illinois, 1981

Richard Page, M.D., University of Washington Regional Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., 206.543.8584; uwheartcenter.org; clinical cardiac electrophysiology (arrhythmias); Duke University, 1984

Arthur Resnick, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 125 16th Ave. E, 206.326.3020; ghc.org; Virginia Mason Medical Center; Harvard University, 1979


PEDIATRIC CARDIOLOGY
Kimberly Krabill, M.D., Swedish Pediatric Specialty Care, 1101 Madison St., Suite 800, 206.215.2700; swedish.org; fetal cardiology, advanced pediatric echocardiography; Swedish Medical Center, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center, Tacoma General Hospital; University of Minnesota, 1981

Mark Lewin, M.D., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.1083; seattlechildrens.org; University of Southern California, 1991


COLORECTAL SURGERY
Oliver R. Biggers, M.D., Eastside Colon & Rectal Clinic, 1370 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425.453.8355; Swedish Medical Center, Overlake Hospital Medical Center; Meharry Medical College, 1975

Richard Billingham, M.D., Swedish Colon & Rectal Clinic, 1101 Madison St., Suite 500, 206.386.6600; nwcrc.com; Swedish Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; University of Rochester, 1971

Daniel Froese, M.D., Swedish Colon & Rectal Clinic, 1221 Madison St., Suite 1220, 206.215.1790; swedish.org; general surgery, colorectal cancer surgery; Swedish Medical Center; University of Leicester, United Kingdom, 1984

Steven Medwell, M.D., Minor & James Medical, 515 Minor Ave., 206.386.9500; minorandjames.com; Swedish Medical Center; Indiana University, 1973

Richard Thirlby, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.223.6636; virginiamason.org; colorectal cancer surgery; University of Michigan, 1978


CRITICAL CARE
Todd Freudenberger, M.D., Overlake Internal Medicine Associates, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 600, Bellevue, 425.454.2671; oima.org; pulmonary medicine; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1994

David A. Kregenow, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.341.0470; virginiamason.org; pulmonary medicine; University of Pennsylvania, 1995

William Park, M.D., Southlake Clinic, 4033 Talbot Road S, Suite 500, Renton, 425.251.5110; southlakeclinic.com; pulmonary medicine, sleep disorders; Valley Medical Center; University of Michigan, 1991

Embra A. Roper, M.D., The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.860.2318; polyclinic.com; pulmonary medicine; Swedish Medical Center; Medical College of Georgia, 1981

Curtis Veal Jr., M.D.,* The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.329.1760; polyclinic.com; pulmonary diseases; Swedish Medical Center; Medical College of Georgia, 1981

William J. Watts, M.D., Overlake Internal Medicine Associates, 1135 116th Ave. NE, Suite 600, Bellevue, 425.454.2671; oima.org; pulmonary medicine; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1975


PEDIATRIC CRITICAL CARE
Thomas Brogan, M.D., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2170; seattlechildrens.org; Harborview Medical Center; University of California, Davis, 1990


DERMATOLOGY
Kim Abson, M.D., The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.860.2326; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital; University of Washington, 1986

Carmen Berger, M.D., Southlake Clinic, 4011 Talbot Road S, Suite 460, Renton, 425.271.5345; southlakeclinic.com; Valley Medical Center; Vanderbilt University, 1995

Roy Colven, M.D., Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave., 206.744.2173; uwmedicine.org; University of Washington, 1987

A. Laurin Likosky, M.D., Kirkland Dermatology Associates, 12333 NE 130th Lane, Suite 330, Kirkland, 425.899.3376; Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Arizona, 1995

Ulrike Ochs, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1201 Terry Ave. S, 206.223.6781; virginiamason.org; cosmetic dermatology; Northwestern University, 1988

John E. Olerud, M.D., University of Washington Medical Center–Roosevelt, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, 206.598.4067; uwmedicine.org; University of Washington, 1971


PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY
Virginia P. Sybert, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 125 16th Ave. E, 206.326.2111; ghc.org; inherited skin disorders, medical genetics; University of Washington Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Overlake Hospital Medical Center; State University of New York, Buffalo, 1974


EATING DISORDERS
Cora Breuner, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4500 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2028; seattlechildrens.org; adolescent medicine; University of Washington Medical Center; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, 1982

Wallace R. Hodges, M.D., Minor & James Medical, 515 Minor Ave., 206.386.9500; minorandjames.com; internal medicine; Swedish Medical Center; University of Michigan, 1970


PEDIATRIC EATING DISORDERS
Cora Breuner, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4500 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2028; seattlechildrens.org; adolescent medicine; University of Washington Medical Center; Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,1982


EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Warren Appleton, M.D., Evergreen Hospital Medical Center, 12040 NE 128th St., Kirkland, 425.899.1711; evergreenhealthcare.org; emergency preparedness; Wayne State University, 1970

Michael Copass, M.D.,* Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave., 206.744.3000; uwmedicine.org; neurology; University of Washington Medical Center; Northwestern University, 1964

Laura Fife, M.D., University of Washington Medical Center, 1959 NE Pacific St., 206.598.4000; uwmedicine.org; internal medicine; University of Utah, 1979

G. Theodore Johnson, M.D., Virginia Mason Medical Center, 1100 Ninth Ave., 206.583.6450; virginiamason.org; University of Minnesota, 1975

Karl Kaufmann, M.D., Valley Medical Center, 400 S 43rd St., Renton, 425.251.5185; valleymed.org; University of Cincinnati, 1996

Steve Marshall, M.D., Overlake Hospital Medical Center, 1035 116th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425.688.5100; overlakehospital.org; Oregon Health Sciences University, 1982

Gregory Schroedl, M.D., Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, 1550 N 115th St., 206.368.1765; nwhospital.org; University of Washington, 1974


PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE
Mark Del Beccaro, M.D., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.8899; seattlechildrens.org; University of Washington, 1985

Eileen Klein, M.D., M.P.H., Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 206.987.2599; seattlechildrens.org; Johns Hopkins University, 1988


ENDOCRINOLOGY/METABOLISM
Edward Benson, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 125 16th Ave., 206.326.3034; ghc.org; Overlake Hospital Medical Center, Virginia Mason Medical Center; University of Washington, 1975

Ronald Brazg, M.D., Southlake Clinic, 723 SW 10th St., Suite 250, Renton, 425.656.4040; southlakeclinic.com; Valley Medical Center; University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, 1980

Frances Broyles, M.D., Minor & James Medical, 1229 Madison St., Suite 1500, 206.386.9500; minorandjames.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Florida, 1984

Ken Gross, M.D., The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.860.2389; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1976

Shannon Heitritter, M.D., The Polyclinic, 1145 Broadway, 206.860.2385; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; Harvard University, 2000

Irl Hirsch, M.D.,* University of Washington Medical Center Diabetes Care Center, 4225 Roosevelt Way NE, Suite 101, 206.598.4882; uwmedicine.org.; diabetes; University of Missouri, 1984

Paul Mystkowski, M.D., Overlake Internal Medicine Associates, 1407 116th Ave. NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, 425.454.5046; oima.org; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Cincinnati, 1994


PEDIATRIC ENDOCRINOLOGY/METABOLISM
Gad B. Kletter, M.D., Swedish Pediatric Specialty Care, 1101 Madison St., Suite 800, 206.215.2700; swedish.org; Sackler School of Medicine, New York, 1983


FAMILY PRACTICE
Travis Abbott, M.D.,* Group Health Cooperative, 125 16th Ave. E, 206.326.3530; ghc.org; Harvard University, 1971

Shirley Chen, M.D., Pacific Medical Centers, 12910 Totem Lake Blvd. NE, Suite 101, Kirkland, 425.814.5000; pacificmedicalcenters.org; Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Toronto, 1997

James Coghlan, M.D., 1530 N 115th St., Suite 303, 206.368.1933; Northwest Hospital & Medical Center, Swedish Medical Center; University of Washington, 1979

Antony Egnal, M.D.,* Eastside Family Medicine Clinic, 1200 112th Ave. NE, Bellevue, 425.453.1039; efmc.us; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Cape Town, South Africa, 1985

Wuaca Luna, M.D., Cascade Primary Care, 4033 Talbot Road S, Suite 570, Renton, 425.656.5400; valleymed.org; primary care sports medicine; Valley Medical Center; University of Washington, 1999

Kevin McCarty, M.D., Totem Lake Family Medicine, 11800 NE 128th St., Suite 560, Kirkland, 425.899.5200; tlfm.com; Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1985

Scott McIntyre, M.D., The Polyclinic Family Medicine Sand Point, 3216 NE 45th Place, Suite 200, 206.525.4000; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center, Northwest Hospital & Medical Center; University of Washington, 1982

Kim Pittenger, M.D.,** Virginia Mason Kirkland, 11800 N 128th St., Kirkland, 425.814.5100; virginiamason.org; Virginia Mason Medical Center, Evergreen Hospital Medical Center; University of Cincinnati, 1979

Trish Raymer, M.D.,* The Polyclinic, 509 Olive Way, Suite 900, 206.860.4700; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Washington, 1989

Eric Seaver, M.D., Group Health Cooperative, 13451 SE 36th St., Bellevue, 425.562.1337; ghc.org; Overlake Hospital Medical Center; University of Washington, 1995

Robbie Sherman, M.D.,** The Polyclinic, 509 Olive Way, Suite 900, 206.860.4700; polyclinic.com; Swedish Medical Center; University of Washington, 1981

Mary Weiss, M.D., Swedish Physicians Central Seattle Clinic, 1600 E Jefferson, Suite 510, 206.320.4888; swedishphysicians.org; Swedish Medical Center; University of Washington, 1988