Author: Erin Pearson

There’s a new doctor in Canyon Park with a passion for helping Bothell families young and old

When Mariana A. Frias Garcia was 12, her grandpa had a heart attack. He needed quadruple bypass surgery, but thankfully made a full recovery.

“That was a big moment for me,” she says. “I decided I wanted to pursue a career that would help other people. I enjoyed the sciences a lot, so I chose to study medicine.”

Dr. Frias Garcia’s grandpa lived to see her graduate from Technológico de Monterrey, one of the best medical schools in Mexico, and also attended her wedding before he passed away. He lives on in her continued public service, helping families stay healthy in her primary care practice at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Canyon Park in Bothell.

From Mexico to West Virginia

After graduating from medical school Dr. Frias Garcia moved to West Virginia to complete her residency in family medicine, where she developed a passion for preventive medicine.

“I love taking care of diabetes! I find the management really fascinating,” she says. “There’s not enough emphasis on prevention of chronic diseases in our healthcare system in general, and I hope to change that.”

While in West Virginia Dr. Frias Garcia helped to implement the American Academy of Pediatrics childhood obesity program, called ‘5210’:

• 5 or more fruits and vegetables
• 2 hours or less of recreational screen time
• 1 hour or more of physical activity
• 0 sugary drinks (water is best)

Accepting new patients at PacMed Canyon Park

Since moving to Bothell, Dr. Frias Garcia has developed a few specialties within the PacMed clinic. She’s become one of Canyon Park’s go-to for women’s health matters like contraception and cancer screening. Also, she has a growing children’s practice, and is meeting more and more patients from Bothell’s Latin American community.

“There aren’t many Latinos in West Virginia! There’s a much bigger community here,” she says. “Many of my patients are super grateful that I can talk to them in Spanish, and they’re starting to spread the word.”

As part of her passion for preventive care, Dr. Frias Garcia encourages patients to schedule a well visit to stay ahead of chronic illnesses.

“Check in with your doctor,” she says. “Make sure your weight is within a healthy range, that you’re eating a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. Have your doctor monitor your biochemical profile including lipids and sugars to get ahead of the game.”

Dr. Frias Garcia’s family practice is open to people of all ages, from newborns to geriatrics, and she really enjoys working with the very young and very old. Make an appointment with Dr. Frias Garcia online or by calling 425-412-7200. Find Dr. Frias Garcia at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Canyon Park, 1909 214th St. SE, in Bothell.

Entering medical school, Dr. Sang Won had yet to pinpoint exactly what type of doctor he aspired to be—only that he wanted to be one, and would be one. He left his area of specialization open at Penn State College of Medicine until he found a mentor who inspired him to specialize in family medicine.

“Family medicine was the choice for me because I was able to see a wide range of ages,” says Dr. Won. “I get a lot of joy from my work.”

This October, Dr. Won joined the primary care team at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) in Lynnwood, after completing his family medicine training at Riverside University Health System in Moreno Valley, California. He strives to be compassionate with patients by developing long-term relationships and working with them to tailor plans to achieve their best health.

“We have to form a relationship. That way I get to know you more, and it gives you, the patient, a chance to learn more about me,” explains Dr. Won. “It’s about listening, too, to what the patient needs. I will hear what their needs are and what they’re concerned about. With every visit, the plan will change and become more personalized.”

As he works with his patients, he encourages them to be involved in shaping their care. “Everybody has their personal lives and how they want to approach treatment for themselves,” he says. “There’s more than one way to treat their illnesses or concerns. I want to accommodate their personal preferences to the best of my ability but at the same time, meet the end goal of being healthy.”

PacMed stood out to Dr. Won due to its compassionate care model. At PacMed, the providers ensure patients receive “the necessary care when and where they need it,” he summarizes, “and in a way patients can easily understand and be engaged in their treatment.”

Dr. Won’s medical interests include preventive care, diabetes, geriatrics, heart health and kidney disease. In his free time, he spends time with his wife, travels and enjoys cooking. Although new to the Lynnwood area, Dr. Won says that he already enjoys the community and is excited to continue serving its people.

Dr. Won is currently accepting new patients. He is available for both in-person and video visits using PacMed’s secure Zoom platform. He is fluent in Korean, as well as English.

Primary care physician enjoys helping patients reach their wellness goals

When Dr. Jimmie Stewart finished his residency in Kansas and was ready to begin his medical practice, the Pacific Northwest quickly captured his attention. Yes, there were the professional opportunities, but what really captivated the primary care physician was the ability to stay active outside year-round, pursuing fitness and recreational pastimes like hiking and kayaking.

Today, Dr. Stewart brings those passions to his family medicine practice at the Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Canyon Park clinic in Bothell, where, in addition to caring for patients from newborns to seniors, he brings a special interest in sports medicine, fitness, weight loss and preventive care.

“I really enjoy taking care of everyone in the family and building those long-term relationships with children, their parents and grandparents,” Dr. Stewart says. “It feels good to help people, and to help them find success in their goals, whether that’s improving their fitness, losing weight or getting back to an activity they love.”

Families that play together can stay healthy together

By building those relationships, Dr. Stewart can more easily support patients in their wellness goals, whether it’s disease prevention through nutrition and fitness or charting a course back to the playing field following an injury.

Dr. Stewart’s accessible approach underscores how building trust with patients is key to their success, as is a practical, mindful care plan. “I think it’s important to have a realistic approach and come up with a plan that can be maintained, such as building in rewards for success,” he explains.

Similarly, improving fitness while reducing the chance of injury also benefits from a plan. After all, adds Dr. Stewart, “we know that keeping moving definitely helps keep you healthy.”

When the unexpected does happen, the right care is key.

“I enjoy working with the patient to figure out exactly what happened and how to get them back to their activity,” Dr. Stewart says. “We can make the assessment, create a protocol for getting back to play safely and help address the symptoms they’re experiencing.”

Numerous resources at hand

While Dr. Stewart enjoys providing hands-on care as much as possible, with a full suite of specialists, surgeons and physical therapists on the PacMed team, referrals are simple when more specialized care is required.

“We have all the resources here to assess the injury and, if necessary, connect you with the experts you need to get you well,” he says.

Make an appointment with Dr. Stewart online or by calling 425-412-7200. Find Dr. Stewart at PacMed Canyon Park, 1909 214th St. SE, in Bothell.

Strong healthcare relationships start with basic courtesies, like using a patient’s preferred name

Talk less, listen more. That’s Dr. Kyle Jordan’s goal in every patient visit.

“Primary care medicine is about reaching out to people and creating connections so there aren’t barriers to care,” he says. “Sometimes, the crucial piece of information isn’t the first sentence a patient tells you — sometimes, it’s the last sentence that slipped out almost by accident. If I jump in too early, I might miss something important.”

Dr. Jordan has a wealth of medical knowledge, but knowing what information to share — and when — is dictated by quality conversations with patients. Strong doctor-patient relationships are essential to improving access to proper care, and building those relationships often starts before Dr. Jordan meets patients face-to-face.

“Things like having posters and literature in patient areas, using people’s preferred pronouns and names — they’re all very important when working with cultures that have been historically suppressed. They’re ways of validating a patient’s personhood, and making sure they feel heard,” Dr. Jordan says. “Patients need to feel comfortable talking to their doctor. If your trust level isn’t high, the fractured relationship will affect your health.”

On your side

During his medical residency in Wyoming, Dr. Jordan saw how broader social issues created barriers to care, particularly for LGBTQ patients who didn’t feel they were represented in the healthcare system.

“I recognized a need and took time to educate myself — I have a whole lot of knowledge in terms of medicine, but am always searching for better ways to apply it in people’s lives,” he says.

In the exam room at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Totem Lake, Dr. Jordan sees patient conversations like a walk down a long hallway with doors on either side. The patient will open some doors, the doctor will knock on others. For a 25-year-old with no previous medical conditions, mental health is likely to be the most important door. For a 55-year-old, colon cancer screening and heart disease are more common. A transgender patient may want to open the hormone replacement therapy door, and Dr. Jordan will make sure that’s a safe and healthy option. As a family doctor he’s often a first point of contact for nutrition counseling, blood work, sexual health education, and other common questions.

“I’m in this with you, as a team member. I’m not here to carry or push you, I’m here to walk beside you,” he says. “You just have to come and talk. It can be nuanced and difficult, but it’s worth it.”

Dr. Jordan is accepting new patients at Pacific Medical Centers (PacMed) Totem Lake, 12910 Totem Lake Blvd. NE in Kirkland. To make an appointment call 425-814-5000 or book online at pacmed.org.