IntestinalDiverticulitis near Bainbridge Island, WA

Biography: Catherine Edwards, MD, is a board-certified family medicine physician who provides comprehensive primary care, including prenatal care. She performs a variety of in-office procedures including skin procedures, joint injections and gynecologic procedures such as colposcopy and endometrial biopsies.Dr. Edwards enjoys seeing patients at all ages and stages of life, and she strives to bring empathy, compassion and a high quality of care to every patient interaction. Deeply integrated into the Bainbridge community, she enjoys bumping into her patients around the island, which she feels adds a richness to her life and practice.During her free time, Dr. Edwards enjoys backpacking, gardening, practicing yoga and skiing.

Biography: Dr. Kevin Means, MD is an Internist who practices in Seattle, WA. He is 40 years old. Dr. Kevin Means, MD is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Biography: Joy Bucher, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician offering primary care for adults, with special medical interest in heart disease and diabetes. Dr. Bucher strives to spend quality time with her patients, getting to know them and ensuring optimal care decisions are made. She also maintains ongoing communication with the specialists involved in her patients' care.As part of her primary care work, Dr. Bucher teaches medical students and residents, which keeps her up-to-date on the latest evidence-based medicine and always learning.Dr. Bucher is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians.Away from work, Dr. Bucher enjoys bicycling, running, and family time with her husband and daughters.

Care Philosophy: The human body is self-regulating and self healing. It has inherent capabilities to heal itself, however sometimes help is required. Disease and dysfunction are not the same and must be treated by the physician in such a way in order to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

Biography: Dr. Lauren Wancata, MD is a General Surgery Specialist who practices in Seattle, WA. She is 40 years old and has been practicing for 14 years. Dr. Lauren Wancata, MD is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Biography: Edward Cuaresma, MD, cares for patients with a wide range of gastrointestinal conditions, from celiac and Crohn's disease to irritable bowel syndrome and ulcerative colitis. Dr. Cuaresma is also experienced with endoscopy, a nonsurgical procedure where a flexible tube with a light and camera is used to visualize the digestive tract to aid in diagnosing and treating disease. _x000D_ Dr. Cuaresma understands how medical conditions affect a person's emotional and psychosocial well-being. His approach is that of an ongoing partnership with each patient, with an emphasis on accessibility and open communication as they work toward a common goal. He is dedicated to providing excellent, evidence-based digestive care. _x000D_ Away from work, Dr. Cuaresma enjoys photography, film and literature. He also enjoys hiking as a way to experience the nature unique to the Pacific Northwest.

Biography: Dr. Michelle Lam, MD is an Internist who practices in Seattle, WA. She is 39 years old. Dr. Michelle Lam, MD is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Biography: Mohan Mallipeddi, MD, specializes in minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) surgery for hernias, benign esophageal disorders, stomach and intestinal cancer, and obesity._x000D_ For all his surgical patients, Dr. Mallipeddi gives them the opportunity to express their own story. As a specialist in bariatric (obesity) surgery, he enjoys the opportunity to follow his patients over a long period of time, getting to know them along the way and witnessing their transformation toward better health._x000D_ Away from work, Dr. Mallipeddi enjoys board games, movies, travel, family time and playing sports (soccer, volleyball, basketball, ultimate, badminton).

Care Philosophy: 'I try to give the same care to my patients that I would to my own family.'

Biography: Dr. Tara Kerr, MD is an Internist who practices in Seattle, WA. She is 50 years old. Dr. Tara Kerr, MD is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.

Biography: Justin Brandler, MD, cares for patients with gastrointestinal conditions, both general and complex. Dr. Brandler believes it is his calling and responsibility to serve as a healer and teacher for his patients. Through evidence-based medicine and comprehensive, personalized care plans developed through a strong patient-physician partnership, he desires to empower patients with tools for hope and healing._x000D_ In addition to using medication to treat disease, Dr. Brandler thoughtfully harnesses therapeutic tools from nutrition, psychology, integrative medicine and spiritual care. He strives to earn his patients' trust, and seeks to provide a safe and welcoming space through empathetic listening, humor and compassionate care._x000D_ Away from work, Dr. Brandler enjoys sipping coffee with his wife and being a jungle gym for his two energetic young boys. He also enjoys running, swimming and weight-lifting, and is a superhero enthusiast._x000D_ _x000D_ Procedures and conditions treated:_x000D_ _x000D_ Diarrhea and constipation _x000D_ Irritable bowel syndrome and other functional disorders of brain-gut interaction _x000D_ Fecal incontinence and other pelvic floor disorders _x000D_ General gastroenterology _x000D_ Neurogastroenterology and motility _x000D_ _x000D_ _x000D_ Awards/Accolades_x000D_ _x000D_ October 2022 - Awarded the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) ``Social Media Acumen`` award for his ACG magazine article on his Twitter initiative, #GIEmpathyInitiative, where Dr. Brandler put himself through various uncomfortable tests and treatments patients are asked to go through, documenting the process along the way._x000D_

Care Philosophy: My job is to build trusting relationships with my patients, then give them the education, the guidance and the tools they need to be healthy.

Biography: Una Lee, MD, is a board-certified urologist with subspecialty board certification in female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS)/urogynecology. She specializes in female urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse (hysterectomy for prolapse, vaginal native tissue prolapse repair and robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery), overactive bladder, fistula repair, urethral diverticulum, and complications related to vaginal mesh or prior sling. Dr. Lee is passionate about delivering compassionate patient-centered care._x000D_ Dr. Lee is the Head of the Section of Urology and Renal Transplantation at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. She is an Associate Clinical Professor of Urology at the University of Washington and serves as Associate Program Director of the FPMRS fellowship at Virginia Mason. Dr. Lee is President-Elect and Women's Health Chair of the Washington State Urology Society. She is a member-at-large of the Society for Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU), and serves on an American Urological Association guidelines committee._x000D_ Dr. Lee serves as lead investigator in collaborative patient engagement work on amplifying women's voices in stress urinary incontinence surgery research prioritization. She volunteers to provide obstetric fistula and childbirth injury care and medical education in Uganda. She served as Guest Editor of a special edition of Urology focused on Women's Health. She hopes to raise awareness of urologic issues related to advancing women's health, lead positive change within health care, and continue to improve the quality of life of women through clinical care, teaching, advocacy and research. _x000D_ Curriculum Vitae

Biography: *Accepting new patients, however, there is a waitlist. Please call Concierge Medicine, (206) 341-1557, for additional information.Brandon Auerbach, MD, MPH, is a board-certified internal medicine physician specializing in primary care, nutrition and adult weight management. He practices as part of the Virginia Mason Concierge Medicine program. _x000D_ Dr. Auerbach has written a number of scientific publications, and is particularly interested in nutrition and ``food as medicine.`` _x000D_ When not busy practicing medicine, Dr. Auerbach enjoys tennis, rock climbing, and Lego building with his son.

Biography: Dr. Elise Rasmussen, MD is an Internist who practices in Seattle, WA. She is 38 years old. Dr. Elise Rasmussen, MD is affiliated with Virginia Mason Medical Center.