New general surgeon finds work “very rewarding” Clinic visits with General Surgeons at upper and lower endoscopy General Surgeon Jimmy Barger, DO, are available performs Skagityears Regional – Mount Vernon,and 360-428-2500 FACOS knew agoClinics that he wanted encourages patients who are anda Skagit Health to pursue careerRegional in 50 or older to schedule a – Arlington medicine and thatGeneral decision, screening colonoscopy. 360-4356097 and his Surgery, future specialty, He sees patients at Skagit and Skagit Regional Clinic was confirmed when he Regional Health’s clinic – Smokey Point, 360428spent time shadowing his in Smokey Point and the 2500. uncle, a general surgeon in Arlington Surgery Center. Texas. Surgical procedures “General surgery is very are performed
As hisateducation and Skagit Valley trainingHospital unfolded, he in continued on his Vernon and journey Cascade in medicine andinhas Hospital Arlington. returned to his native Western Washington as a member of the surgical team at Skagit Regional Health. “I was able to rotate with my uncle during medical school and spend time with him every step of the way in surgery,” said Dr. Barger, who joined Skagit Regional Health in April 2020. “It completely solidified my decision to study medicine and got my interest going in general surgery.” Dr. Barger offers a broad scope of practice in surgery with a focus on minimally-invasive procedures, colon surgery, hernia repairs and emergency general surgery. He also
rewarding,” Dr. Barger said. Mount“I like the tangible aspect Valley of general surgery. I get to use my hands to fix problems people are having. My philosophy with patients is to work together to get to the bottom of what’s going on and work together to fix it as a team.” Dr. Barger, who is one of eight general surgeons and five Physician Assistants on the general surgery team at Skagit Regional Health, said he finds the group to be collaborative and supportive. “I have the opportunity to learn new things and to collaborate with the other surgeons in the group,” he said. “I am constantly learning and like to keep things fresh and new every day.”
Dr. Barger grew up in the Lynnwood area, attended Des Moines University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Des Moines, Iowa and completed his general surgery residency, including robotics training, at Doctors Hospital / Grant Medical Center – Ohio Health in Columbus, Ohio, where he was honored as Resident of the Year. For the past three years, he worked as a general surgeon at PeaceHealth St. John Medical Center in Longview, Washington. He is board certified in general surgery and serves as an associate professor at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, the newest medical school in Washington. “I have had my sights set on moving back to northwest Washington. I consider this home,” he said. “I am looking forward to becoming more integrated in the community and settling here, so I can provide this community with excellent quality surgical care.” To request an appointment, go to the MyChart patient portal or call 360-435-6097.
SKAGIT REGIONAL HEALTH GENERAL SURGEONS: • Jimmy Barger, DO, FACOS • Joel Dean, MD • Joshua Hawkins, MD, FACS • Janice Kang, MD • David Lauter, MD • Allison Porter, MD, FACS • Monroe Whitman, MD • Peter Wolff, MD Clinic visits with General Surgeons are available at Skagit Regional Clinics – Mount Vernon, 360-428-2500, Skagit Regional Health – Arlington General Surgery, 360-435-6097 and Skagit Regional Clinics – Smokey Point, 360-428-2500.
ABOVE: General Surgeon Jimmy Barger, DO, FACOS, performs a procedure at the Arlington Surgery Center.
Surgical procedures are performed at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington and the Arlington Surgery Center. Fall 2020 7
