Keith, a graduate from Newport High (Class of 87'), was born and raised in Washington and attended Whitworth College on a football scholarship. He and his wife married in 1991 and they have two children. Keith worked in the aluminum industry before deciding that healthcare was the field where he wanted to make his career. He became a registered respiratory therapist at Holy Family Hospital where he also earned his credentials as an emergency medical technician. As his career progressed, he longed to be more active in the direct care of patients. As a result he attended the University of Washington's Medex Physician Assistant Program and spent three years studying primary care and specialized medicine. Upon his graduation he began his medical career with Spokane Cardiology where he spent the last year working extensively with intensive cardiac patients and practicing at the four magor hospitals in Spokane. While he enjoyed cardiac care, he realized that primary care medicine was his true career destiny. He longed to return home to give back to the community that had given him so much. He feels that Newport Hospital along with its physician providers and the community at large has historically held a high regard for PA's. He noted that Ed Brown was a pioneering provider in the rural Physician Assistant prefession as an early graduate of UW's Medex program. Keith stated, "Ed was looked upon with great respect as a medical provider to so many in the community. Because of Ed, and thei impression he made on me when I was younger. I really felt compelled to follow in his footsteps. I will, to the best of my ability, live up to UW Medex's high standards and I look forward to providing care to those in need. I am excited to be a part of such a dynamic team and community."