Every year, we ask a few of Seattle’s Top Doctors to share what inspires them to practice medicine, the advice they give most often, and what they think the future holds for healthcare. These interviews are part of Seattle magazine’s annual Top Doctors feature, created in partnership with Castle Connolly. None of the doctors paid to be included — all are nominated by their peers.

What inspired you to become a doctor?

As long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a doctor. My mother was a nurse in an epilepsy surgery unit many years ago. She worked nights. When I was 10, my mother was on her way to work one night and was hit by a drunk driver. She suffered major life-threatening injuries and was in the hospital for several weeks. I was the oldest of three children, had to step in to take care of my brothers and help manage the household. Seeing her go through that made me feel helpless. All I could think about was how to learn to heal and prevent suffering. It was a life-changing moment. That event solidified my pursuit of medicine.

What’s one thing about being a doctor that most people misunderstand?

Being a doctor taking care of patients is not just a 9-to-5 job. Our work has become more complex with learning about new medications and technology. Our days are very long. We document our encounters with patients, renew prescriptions and answer patient emails or phone calls. Al-though we have gone to medical school and have had intensive training, we have to fight with insurance companies for prior authorizations for medicine or procedures for our patients in order to give our patients the best care. The added clerical work consumes hours before the day starts, after the day ends and on weekends.

What’s something in medicine you believe will be totally different in 10 years?

Artificial intelligence will play a major role in assisting in the evaluation and management of patient health care needs. It will become a tool to craft documentation such as chart notes, letters to insurance companies and procedural documentation. It will not be something that will replace physicians but may improve efficiency and accuracy of diagnosis and treatment.

Have you ever had a patient diagnose themselves correctly?

With the advent of the internet and availability of healthcare information online, patients have become much more knowledgeable about health and disease. Sometimes they are wrong in making a self-diagnosis, but at other times they are right on. There is some empowerment in having knowledge in order to advocate for yourself when you or your family member is dealing with a health problem. There can be a problem for the layperson who does not have a strong medical background in navigating what is online. I caution against reading and making conclusions that
may not be accurate, as it can evoke confusion and anxiety with self-diagnosis.

What’s one myth about health or medicine that you wish would go away?

In our current post-pandemic and political environment, there has been a significant amount of misinformation pertaining to health care. One issue is the distrust of vaccines. Vaccines serve a purpose. They prevent disease. They do not cause autism. True, vaccines can have side effects. For the vast majority, however, people will be healthier and potentially live longer if they are protected against infectious diseases.

What is the most unusual case you’ve ever encountered?

A Munchausen’s by proxy case. A young girl’s mother insisted that the girl had a variety of health issues, leading to endless tests and treatments that were unnecessary.

What’s one piece of advice you wish every patient followed?

For the best health care and disease prevention, establish care with a primary care provider. They will be there for you when you are sick, give you advice to stay well and advocate for you. Listen and develop a partnership with your health care provider.

If you could change one thing about the healthcare system, what would it be?

Everyone should have the right to aff ordable health care with care delivered based upon science. Health care decision-making should be supported through research. Decisions about a person’s health care should be ethically based and be between the provider and the patient.