Practice Type: Specialty Care

Promoting Brain and Nervous System Health

Neurology is a specialty that focuses on diseases and disorders of the brain and nervous system. A neurologist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment and management of problems involving the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Neurologists complete four years of medical school and then complete a one-year internship and then a three-year residency in the specialty.

Neurological disorders strike an estimated 50 million Americans each year. These conditions can affect movement, speech, memory, senses, swallowing, breathing, and many other functions of the body. Some conditions that may require treatment by a neurologist include Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine, sleep disorders, seizure disorders, problems with muscle control or movement, traumatic brain injury and stroke.

Neurologists use special tests like brain scans or sound waves to look at brain activity or blood flow. They might measure electrical activity in the brain, muscles, or nerves. These exams help the neurologist understand what might be wrong. Neurologists at Pacific Medical Center may consult with your primary care physician about your diagnosis and treatment. They may also refer you to a surgeon when appropriate.

Meet our neurologists: 

Hepatology focuses on the liver, as well as the gallbladder, pancreas and biliary tree. Traditionally, hepatology has been a sub-specialty of gastroenterology, although some physicians today specialize solely in hepatology.

Liver disease management needs a medical team with a unique set of skills. At PacMed, our specialists in liver disease provide comprehensive care for patients with acute and chronic liver disease, whether regular or advanced. Our gastroenterologists who provide hepatology care have advanced training in this field.

Your specialist will work closely with your primary care provider to coordinate your care. He or she will also team with endocrinologists, oncologists, rheumatologists, the University of Washington liver transplant program and other knowledgeable caregivers as needed. Should you require liver transplantation, our hepatologists are well-trained in caring for patients before and after this procedure.

Healing Partnership

Every year, more than a million people in the United States are diagnosed with cancer. Thanks to medical advancements and new knowledge about cancer treatment, the potential for a cure has never been better.

When people first learn they have cancer, many questions go through their minds: how will the illness affect their life and family, what will the treatment involve and will they experience a loss of control. At Pacific Medical Centers, our compassionate team of physicians and nurses in the Oncology and Hematology Center understand how people feel about a cancer diagnosis and are ready to partner with our patients in a very personal way, within a comfortable environment that allows people to live their lives during treatment and beyond.

Pacific Medical Centers Oncology and Hematology Center

Our priority is your success. Cancer care has been transformed by new medicine. Today, outcomes range from complete remission to manageable chronic conditions. At Pacific Medical Centers, we offer the latest technology and treatments to help ensure our patients’ success, comfort and well-being including T-PET scanning, targeted therapy and access to clinical trials.

Pacific Medical Centers follows the guidelines of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for approved treatment plans. The NCCN provides the standard of care for North America.

A Personalized Approach to Treatment

Unlike larger, institutional-type facilities, we are a personalized, specialty cancer treatment center. As such, we are well suited to provide patients with the personalized treatment they deserve—both physical and emotional, from diagnosis to survivorship.

Our experienced team of board-certified physicians work collaboratively with Swedish Medical Center and the Swedish Tumor Institute, as well as with the University of Washington Medical Center.

Please download our brochure:

Comprehensive Cancer Care Guide

When you visit your gynecologist, it makes a difference to have someone you can speak freely with about your concerns. At our clinics, we prioritize your comfort and trust, ensuring you receive the highest quality care.

Our gynecologist, Shilpa Desai, MD, is renowned for her expertise in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Dr. Desai specializes in advanced procedures such as laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeries, as well as other robotic-assisted techniques. These minimally invasive methods offer numerous benefits, including reduced pain, faster recovery times, and minimal scarring, allowing you to return to your daily activities more quickly.

Dr. Desai sees patients at our Canyon Park, First Hill, and Renton clinics, making it easier for you to access top-notch gynecologic care close to home.

Promoting a Healthy Digestive System

To schedule an appointment, please call 844.662.6566.

Gastroenterologists treat disorders of the digestive system. This system consumes food, absorbs nutrients and expels waste.

Our highly trained Gastroenterology team works closely with patients to help them achieve good nutrition and manage digestive issues so they can lead a productive life. Most of our specialists also completed additional training and are certified in the sub-specialty of hepatology, which focuses on the liver and pancreas.

Often, you’ll hear gastroenterology issues called “GI” disorders—which is short for gastrointestinal. The digestive system is about 30-feet long and includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon and rectum, pancreas, gallbladder, bile ducts and liver.

Common disorders include:

• Peptic ulcer disease
• Colon polyps
• Pancreatitis
• Gallbladder stones
• Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD
• Functional bowel disorders—such as irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Acute and chronic liver disease
• Hepatitis
• Cancers (colon, gastric, pancreatic and others)

Building on a wealth of experience, our Gastroenterology department offers a comprehensive approach to your care. They see patients at our Canyon Park, First Hill, Northgate, Renton and Totem Lake clinics

Our Gastroenterologists:

Dr. Broussard and Dr. Cheng were voted Top Doctors in 2024!

Colon Cancer Screenings

Colon cancer is increasingly recognized as a major problem, particularly in women, where the vast majority of cases are going undetected. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Our team works joins our primary care providers in encouraging patients to get regular colon cancer screenings. Early detection of colon cancer can prevent up to 90% of colorectal cancer deaths. The screening for gastric and colorectal cancer is either a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy.

We understand that many patients may be reluctant to undergo these screenings. We strive to be sensitive and respectful of your concerns.

The human foot contains one fourth of all the bones in your body, so it can take a beating over time. Patients visit our podiatry team for treatment of conditions ranging from fractures to deformities. Those suffering from pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis, and diabetic foot wounds are also good candidates for podiatry.

Patient education is our strong focus, which may involve instruction on orthotics, braces, supportive shoes and foot care, and even surgery if needed. We also offer diabetic foot exams.

Our Podiatrists see patients of all ages.

Dr. Alexander and Dr. Higashi have been named Seattle Top Docs!

The Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery department at Pacific Medical Centers is dedicated to providing surgical and in-office solutions for the aesthetic rejuvenation, enhancement and reconstruction of the head, face and neck. The decision to have facial plastic surgery treatment is not one to be taken lightly. The face plays such a vital role in how we project ourselves to the world, and yet sometimes our outward appearance can seem disconnected with how we feel inside. Facial plastic surgery is not meant to change who you are but rather restore, define and enhance your natural features to allow you to look as good outside as you feel inside.

Treatment Options

An important step in considering facial plastic surgery is choosing your surgeon. At Pacific Medical Centers, we have a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who offers a broad range of treatment options:

• Rhinoplasty (to reshape the nose or improve nasal breathing)
• Facial rejuvenation
• Facial fat grafting (fat transfer)
• Face-lift/neck-lift
• Neck liposuction
• Brow-lift
• Eyelid surgery
• Skin resurfacing
• Lip enhancement
• Skin fillers such as Restylane, Juvedérm or Radiesse
• Otoplasty (ear pinning)
• Chin augmentation
• Botox
• Scar revision
• Mole removal
• Skin cancer excision and reconstruction

By choosing to work with our facial plastic surgeon, you can expect to receive:

• An excellent aesthetic and/or functional outcome.
• A strong focus on achieving natural, non-operated-appearing results.
• A team who fully understands patients’ aesthetic concerns, budgetary constraints and time commitment to recovery.
• Detailed information about your options so that a treatment plan is customized to your needs.
• The most advanced but proven techniques to achieve those goals with an emphasis on providing the most durable results possible.
• Open communication and the highest level of care throughout all stages of treatment.

Every day, physicians use radiography, or X-rays, to view and evaluate bone fractures and other injuries of the musculoskeletal system. However, a plain X-ray test is not the best way to assess bone density. To detect osteoporosis accurately, doctors use an enhanced, low radiation form of X-ray technology called dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA, pronounced DEXA). DXA bone densitometry is today’s established standard for measuring bone mineral density (BMD). DXA is a quick, painless procedure for measuring bone loss and is the most often used method to diagnose osteoporosis. The DXA test can also assess your risk for developing fractures. If your bone density is found to be low, you and your physician can work together on a treatment plan to help prevent fractures before they occur. DXA is also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis or for other conditions that cause bone loss.

What is Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis involves a gradual weakening of bone mass, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile, and more likely to break. The hip, spine, and wrist become especially susceptible to fractures, but any bone can be affected. Osteoporosis is often called a “silent disease” because bone loss occurs without symptoms. People may not know that they have osteoporosis until their bones become so weak that a sudden strain, bump, or fall causes a fracture or a vertebra to collapse.

Risk factors include:

• Personal history of fracture after age 50
• History of fracture in a close relative
• Being thin and/or having a small frame
• Advanced age
• A family history of osteoporosis
• Estrogen deficiency as a result of menopause, especially before 45 years in age
• Abnormal absence of menstrual periods (amenorrhea)
• Anorexia nervosa
• Low lifetime calcium intake
• Vitamin D deficiency
• Use of certain medications (corticosteroids, chemotherapy, anticonvulsants, and others)
• Low testosterone levels in men
• Current cigarette smoking
• Excessive use of alcohol

Osteoporosis can be effectively treated!

Treatment is tailored to your individual needs, and may include medications or hormone replacement therapies that are known to effectively treat the disease.

Knowing your bone density is important and will help you take better care of yourself, prevent injuries, and avoid the suffering caused by osteoporosis.

How to learn your bone density

Schedule a DXA screen:

• Discuss your risk factors with your primary care provider. He or she will recommend a bone density screening if it is appropriate to your needs, and will provide you with a referral
• Screening is recommended for all women over age 65
• A DXA screening is simple and quick, and takes only about 15 minutes while lying on a cushioned table
• To schedule your DXA screening, have your referral from your primary physician ready and call Pacific Medical Centers at 1.888.4PACMED
• Make sure that you have not had any gastroenterology or nuclear medicine testing done two weeks prior to your DXA appointment date. Also, remember not to take any calcium supplements on the day of your DXA screen

How to prepare for a bone density scan

Watch our video below and learn how to prepare for your DXA scan.

Pacific Medical Centers is an ISCD accredited facility.

Registered dietitians, also called nutritionists, are health care professionals who have specialized expertise in food and nutrition. At Pacific Medical Centers, our dietitians help patients improve their health through better eating habits. This can include assessment of the nutritional care needs, development of nutritional care plans, and diet education/counseling.

Registered dietitians have completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree at a university or college accredited by the American Dietetic Association. They have also completed an accredited practice program and have passed a national examination given by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. All of our dietitians also have certification through the State of Washington.

Dietitians at Pacific Medical Centers recommend dietary changes for patients with chronic conditions. For example, if you have high blood pressure, our dietitian can teach you how to use less salt when preparing meals. If you are overweight, our dietitians can help you reduce the fat and sugar in your diet and create a more healthful eating plan. Our dietitians also work and collaborate with other health care professionals to provide medical nutritional therapy to patients.

As part of our full array of health care services, Pacific Medical Centers offers both X-ray and screening mammography. These skilled technologists and trained radiologists provide the detailed images and professional evaluation needed to make the best possible decisions for your care.

Our outpatient imaging services are timely and flexible. We offer fast turnaround. Urgent findings are triaged, and reports can be phoned or faxed per physician request.

We are accessible to patients. We offer walk-in services for digital X-ray with free parking at 5 of 6 locations, except First Hill. Patients can access reports online through MyChart and can request images on a CD.

We are professionals. Registered technologists perform our studies in a professional, compassionate clinical setting.

Available services include:

Screening Mammography
Screening mammography is available at our Canyon Park and Beacon Hill clinics.

Diagnostic X-ray
Diagnostic X-ray exams are available at all clinic sites.
PacMed also offers nuclear cardiology and a state-of-the-art cardiovascular lab.