6 minute read
New surgeons
New general surgeon finds work “very rewarding”
Clinic visits with General Surgeons are available at General Surgeon Jimmy Barger, DO, performs upper and lower endoscopy Skagit Regional Clinics – Mount Vernon, 360-428-2500 FACOS knew years ago that he wanted and encourages patients who are and Skagit Regional to pursue a career in Health 50 or older to schedule a – Arlington General medicine and that decision, screening colonoscopy. Surgery, 360-435and his future specialty, 6097 He sees patients at Skagit and Skagit Regional was confirmed when he Clinic Regional Health’s clinic – Smokey Point, 3602500. spent time shadowing his uncle, a general surgeon in 428in Smokey Point and the Arlington Surgery Center. Surgical procedures are performed at Skagit Valley Hospital in Texas. As his education and training unfolded, he Mount “General surgery is very rewarding,” Dr. Barger said. “I like the tangible Vernon and Cascade continued on his journey Valley aspect of general surgery. Hospital in Arlington.in medicine and has I get to use my hands to returned to his native fix problems people are Western Washington as a having. My philosophy member of the surgical team at Skagit with patients is to work together to Regional Health. get to the bottom of what’s going on
“I was able to rotate with my uncle and work together to fix it as a team.” during medical school and spend Dr. Barger, who is one of eight time with him every step of the way general surgeons and five Physician in surgery,” said Dr. Barger, who Assistants on the general surgery joined Skagit Regional Health in April team at Skagit Regional Health, said 2020. “It completely solidified my he finds the group to be collaborative decision to study medicine and got and supportive. my interest going in general surgery.” “I have the opportunity to learn
Dr. Barger offers a broad scope new things and to collaborate with of practice in surgery with a focus the other surgeons in the group,” he on minimally-invasive procedures, said. “I am constantly learning and colon surgery, hernia repairs and like to keep things fresh and new emergency general surgery. He also 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.
Surgical procedures are performed at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon, Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington and the Arlington Surgery Center. Fall 2020 7
Orthopedic surgeon brings experience from the playing field to the OR
Orthopedic Surgeon Christopher Thomas, DO understands the lumps, bumps and injuries that can occur on the gridiron after playing football as a full-ride scholarship athlete at Eastern Washington University. Watching his teammates in the training room and struggling with injuries himself solidified his plan to attend medical school.
Dr. Thomas, who played left tackle on the offensive line and stands 6’ 5” tall, describes himself as “A big guy, who is soft spoken and has a calming presence.”
• Gerard Benecki, MD • Jimmy Dang, DO • Michael Picco, DO • Christopher Sheu, MD, FAAOS • Christopher Thomas, DO • Ryan Vellinga, MD • Richard Williamson, MD Orthopedics and Sports Medicine providers offer clinic visits at Skagit Regional Clinics – Smokey Point in Arlington and Skagit Regional Clinics – Riverbend in Mount Vernon. Go to www.skagitregionalhealth.org or call 360-428-2500.
Surgical procedures are performed at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon and Cascade Valley Hospital in Arlington.
“I knew from a young age that I wanted to become a physician,” Dr. Thomas said. “My time in the training room working through my personal musculoskeletal injuries and observing those of my teammates helped project me on a path towards orthopedics. It is a field that allows me to get people back to the activities they enjoy.”
Dr. Thomas joined the Orthopedics and Sports Medicine practice at Skagit Regional Health in July 2020. The group of seven physicians and six Physician Assistants provide a wide range of services from fracture care and joint replacements to specialized hand and upper extremity care.
“The group is incredibly skilled. They are happy, they enjoy what they do and they really care for their patients,” Dr. Thomas said. “I have partners who are respected in the community and have a variety of experience. I’m excited to join the team and become part of this community.”
“I like to create a relationship with my patients. I am easy going and easy to talk to, which really helps my time with the patient,” he said. “They may be nervous, in pain or just experienced a trauma. I am here to create a personalized treatment plan to get them back to their favorite activities.” Dr. Thomas also enjoys treating arthritis and restoring mobility to his patients, as well as treating injuries that occur in our active lifestyle population.
After graduating from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Dr. Thomas attended medical school locally at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences in Yakima. During clinical rotations in medical school, Dr. Thomas immediately knew he found his calling. “The moment I stepped into the OR, I knew it was what I wanted to do and it was the right fit,” he said. “It felt like home, where I was meant to be. The people. The atmosphere. The technology. It all matched up.”
He completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Community Memorial Health System – OPTI West Consortium in Ventura, California in 2020 before returning to the Northwest and joining Skagit Regional Health.
Dr. Thomas married his high school sweetheart, Jessica, and they have been married for 13 years. The couple has a young son with a second child on the way. Away from work, he and his family enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking, skiing and cooking meals together.
Check out our YouTube channel! View informative videos about services and several of Skagit Regional Health’s Orthopedics & Sports Medicine providers on the Skagit Regional Health YouTube channel. www.YouTube.com/c/SkagitRegionalHealth
