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MissionTo partner with patients of all ages and walks of life in trusting, long-term relationships in order to offer outstanding, compassionate, and accessible primary care in a safe and healing atmosphere that is inspired by my community's needs and desires.
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Photo courtesy of Jennifer Jurgensen 2017.
Bio
I am a board-certified family physician and mother of two little boys. I was blessed to meet the love of my life, Ned Hammar, during our family medicine residency in Seattle. Together, we moved to Omak, a small town in North Central Washington roughly the size of Forks. We practiced there for about 5 years. That is where both our boys were born, and where I fell in love with being a community member and doctor in a small town.
We moved to Port Angeles in April 2015, and we love this community! We continue to put down roots here and are excited to be raising our boys here. Being a family physician is a true calling for me. So is being a mother. The most meaningful and joyful part of my journey as a doctor is the time I spend with my patients. As a doctor working in other medical settings, I have been frustrated by the standard model of care. I want each patient to feel treated as a whole person. I want to have the time to really listen to my patients, develop meaningful relationships, and care for them right when they need me, and not weeks or months later. What I intend to cultivate in my clinic is a new and truly patient- and family-centered experience. Together we will enjoy unhurried visits (typically 30-45 minutes) so we can address the whole situation, problem-solve, and stay in close communication throughout your care, both in times of wellness and illness. This is big-picture care: I want help you achieve the best overall health possible.
We moved to Port Angeles in April 2015, and we love this community! We continue to put down roots here and are excited to be raising our boys here. Being a family physician is a true calling for me. So is being a mother. The most meaningful and joyful part of my journey as a doctor is the time I spend with my patients. As a doctor working in other medical settings, I have been frustrated by the standard model of care. I want each patient to feel treated as a whole person. I want to have the time to really listen to my patients, develop meaningful relationships, and care for them right when they need me, and not weeks or months later. What I intend to cultivate in my clinic is a new and truly patient- and family-centered experience. Together we will enjoy unhurried visits (typically 30-45 minutes) so we can address the whole situation, problem-solve, and stay in close communication throughout your care, both in times of wellness and illness. This is big-picture care: I want help you achieve the best overall health possible.
PhilosophyMy calling is to approach my patients as if they are family. I believe we all need to be seen as whole people. Our health is absolutely impacted by what's going on with us physically, emotionally, spiritually, nutritionally, and economically. I do a better job as a doctor when I can listen to a person's whole story. I can problem-solve and work with you to improve your wellbeing in all situations. I have growing experience in blending the best of Western medicine and other healing approaches to my patients. This experience includes exploring what can affect our wellbeing, including nutrition, inflammation, stress, sleep, physical movement, mindfulness practices, as well as a sense of purpose and belonging. There are many ways to heal, and one size does not fit all! I partner with my patients to individualize care to your needs and situations. I do not judge anyone based on medical complexity, gender, age, sexual orientation/preferences, religious/spiritual beliefs, or political beliefs.
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Professional Interests
- Blending the best of Western medicine with science-based whole person approaches to help guide patients towards the best outcomes and well-being (this includes a Functional Medicine approach)
- Taking care of whole families
- Children and adolescents
- I am proficient in Spanish and was trained in a bilingual, bicultural clinic in Seattle to care for people whose primary language is Spanish
- Immediate Past-President of the Jefferson-Clallam Chapter of the Washington Academy of Family Physicians
Community Time
- CERT (trained to respond to local disasters as part of a Community Emergency Response Team)
- Exploring the trails and rivers of our beautiful Olympic Peninsula with with my family and our pup, Bowser
- Volunteering with our 10 year old son at Olympic Peninsula Humane Society
- Learning to landscape with edible permaculture ideas
Education
- College at Baylor University in Waco, Texas - 2003
- Medical School at University of Minnesota Medical School in Minneapolis, Minnesota - 2007
- Residency at Swedish Cherry Hill Family Medicine Residency in Seattle, Washington - 2010
- Ongoing education in Functional Medicine through Institute for Functional Medicine
- Ongoing education in practicing and teaching mindfulness skills through the Center for Mind-Body Medicine