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New Physician at Healing House Looking to Build Relationships, Empower Patients
TheSuquamish Tribe is welcoming Dr. Casey Kernan, DO, the latest physician to join the professional team at the Healing House.
Dr. Casey (as he likes to be called) joins medical director Dr. Kristine Ewing and Dr. Alex Craft, along with a team of nurses, technicians, and administrators who serve Suquamish Tribal members (who make up 59 percent of the clinic’s patients), other tribal families (13 percent), and Medicaid patients from Kitsap County and beyond (43 percent).
“I’ve known Casey since his residency days and have been impressed by his ability to really listen to patients and motivate them on their health journeys,” said Dr. Kristine Ewing, Medical Director at Healing House and a colleague of Dr. Casey since his days in training as a medical resident. “His patient-centered, compassionate approach is an excellent fit for our integrated care model.”
Dr. Casey completed his undergraduate studies at Oregon State University in Corvallis and earned his medical degree at Kansas City University. After completing his residency at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, Dr. Casey launched a small clinic in East Bremerton during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he cared for people at all stages of life, with a special focus on the needs of LGBTQIA patients.
The experience reinforced his commitment to spending quality time understanding each patient’s needs and goals. “I learned how important it is to listen to my patients and to make sure they feel heard,” Dr. Casey said.
When he learned about the approach taken at the Healing House from Ewing, the thought of working here “reignited [his] joy in practicing medicine.”
Along with the team at the Healing House, Dr. Casey is excited about collaborating with the tribe’s Community Health and Wellness teams. “I want to be part of a team where I can see the impacts of our work,” Dr. Casey explained. “The team-based approach is how healthcare should be rather than working in silos.”
Dr. Casey grew up on a farm in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and today lives with his husband in East Bremerton, where he enjoys gardening, and exploring the region for hiking, snow boarding, and camping.
