Top Doctors
Top Doctors 2022
Seattle magazine’s 22nd annual list of the best physicians in the Puget Sound region
Many people have no idea how to find a doctor. They often rely on recommendations from friends or colleagues, or whomever their health system suggests. Personal referrals matter, but, in partnership with Castle Connolly, we’ve created a comprehensive guide of notable doctors throughout the Puget Sound area. For more than two decades, Seattle magazine has…
Top Doctors 2021: A Human Touch
Dr. Eric Chen realized he enjoyed working with patients after an initial interest in research
Name: Eric Chen, M.D., PhD. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Hematology and medical oncology, Kaiser Permanente Bellevue Medical Center and Overlake Hospital Why did you pick your specialty? Research is what initially drew me into the field. Although I enjoyed research in the laboratory, had wonderful research mentors and considered it as a career, working directly with…
Top Doctors 2021: A Life-Changing Experience
Her father’s heart attack persuaded Dr. Sara Weiss to become a cardiologist
Name: Sara Weiss, M.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Cardiology, Virginia Mason Medical Center Why did you pick your specialty? When I was in college, my father had a heart attack but didn’t recognize the symptoms. He did not seek medical attention until a significant amount of heart damage had occurred. Thankfully, with the help of…
Top Doctors 2021: A Reassuring Voice
Colon and rectal surgery is ‘interesting and rewarding’
Name: Ulrik Wallin, M.D., Ph.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Colon and rectal surgery, The Polyclinic Colon & Rectal Surgery (located at The Polyclinic Broadway), affiliated with Swedish First Hill. Why did you pick your specialty? I feel fortunate to be a colorectal surgeon because of the variety of ways I can help people. Many patients who see…
Top Doctors 2021: From Engineer To Heart Surgeon
Dr. Robert Binford’s unique background influences his approach
Name: Robert Binford, M.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Cardiothoracic surgery, Overlake Clinics; Overlake Medical Center Why did you pick your specialty? I am originally an aerospace engineer with aspirations of becoming a test pilot or even an astronaut, but I decided to change course and pursue a career in medicine. During medical school, I gravitated…
Top Doctors 2021: Battling Addiction
Dr. Paul Grekin has been working with patients for three decades
Name: Paul Grekin, M.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Addiction psychiatry, Evergreen Treatment Services Why did you pick your specialty? Helping people with substance use disorder is as rewarding to me today as it was when I started 30 years ago. It is a privilege to work with people as they embrace the arduous struggle to…
Top Doctors 2021: Passionate Advocate
Volunteering abroad shapes Dr. Julie LaCombe’s views on women’s health
Name: Julie LaCombe, M.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Urogynecology, Overlake Clinics; Overlake Medical Center Why did you pick your specialty? Women’s health care is something I’ve been passionate about since I started working in an OB/GYN office to help pay my way through college. I have been further influenced as a global women’s health advocate…
Top Doctors 2021: Like Solving a Puzzle
The process of diagnosis intrigues Dr. Jeanne Poole
Name: Dr. Jeanne Poole Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Cardiac Electrophysiology at UW Medicine Heart Institute, University of Washington Medical Center Why did you pick your specialty? Arrhythmia diagnosis can be like a puzzle, requiring careful evaluation with many diagnostic tools to determine the best course of therapy. Electrophysiology is a technology-driven field, and has been at the forefront of using engineering…
Top Doctors 2021: Covid Warrior
EvergreenHealth was the first hospital in the United States to confirm community spread of Covid-19
Name: Francis X. Riedo, M.D. Practice and Hospital Affiliation: I am EvergreenHealth’s Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention and have been with the health system for almost 30 years. EvergreenHealth is located in Kirkland and is an integrated health care system serving nearly one million residents in King and Snohomish counties. I specialize in…
Top Doctors 2021: Conquering Cancer
Dr. Ajay Gopal has a reputation for a sympathetic bedside manner
This story is featured in the May/June issue of Seattle magazine. Subscribe here to access the print edition. Name: Ajay Gopal, M.D., Fellow of the American College of Physicians Practice and Hospital Affiliation: Medical director of clinical research, hematology, malignancies/hematology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Why did you pick your specialty? Much of how we determine what we…
Top Doctors 2021: Med School Crisis Sparks Career in Cardiology
Dr. Keiko Aikawa watched a doctor save a man’s life
Name: Keiko Aikawa, M.D., Fellow of the American College of Cardiology Practice and hospital affiliation: PacMed cardiologist at First Hill and Canyon Park clinics; medical director of PacMed Cardiovascular Lab (Vascular Studies) Why did you pick your specialty? I fell in love with cardiology when I was a medical student. I was on my cardiology rotation…
The Top Doctors in Seattle for 2021
Our 21st annual list of the best physicians in the Puget Sound
Many people have no idea how to find a doctor. They often rely on recommendations from friends or colleagues, or whomever their health system recommends. Personal referrals matter, but we’ve taken that to the next level. For more than two decades, Seattle magazine has published a list of the region’s top doctors. None paid to…
Top Doctors 2021: Vascular Surgery
Part of our 21st annual list of the region's best physicians
Vascular surgeons treat diseases of the arteries and veins (excluding the heart) through medical therapy, minimally invasive catheter procedures and surgical reconstruction. Renee C. Minjarez, M.D.: endovascular surgery, aneurysm, carotid artery surgery; Lake Washington Vascular, 12333 N.E. 130th Lane, Suite 425, Kirkland, 425-453-1772; EvergreenHealth Medical Center, Overlake Medical Center Benjamin Ware Starnes, M.D.: endovascular surgery,…
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