Fernando Vega, MD

I was born and raised in Seattle, although I spent some of my early years in the Philippines. In the first ten years of my medical career, I worked as an Emergency Medicine physician in various ERs in Pennsylvania and Washington. During this period, I also established a private practice in Family Medicine after settling in Seattle.

In 1981, when I started my private practice, I sought practitioners from different disciplines, including acupuncturists, physical therapists, naturopaths, midwives, and physicians specializing in various fields. This collaborative effort led to the creation of the Seattle Healing Arts Center. My intention was to explore the basis of healing and to find out what interventions work in various clinical scenarios.

Throughout my more than 40 years of practicing medicine, I have had the privilege of listening to numerous stories and encountering a wide range of clinical situations and outcomes. Each patient has brought a unique perspective and offered innovative solutions to a variety of health issues, as does each practitioner. When I meet new patients, I frequently start by listening to their life story, encompassing the factors that have shaped their emotional, social, and spiritual growth. This understanding forms the basis upon which we can then integrate conventional medicine to address their health concerns and goals.

Sexual Health

My interest in sexual health is an extension of a holistic approach to wellness. Having been given the privilege of 40+ years of practicing medicine with a holistic intention, I have learned more deeply how sexuality weaves in the fabric of our consciousness and health. Since acquiring many more tools that were previously unavailable, I’ve been very happy to bring together a team of healthcare practitioners that address a wider scope of sexual health. The scope of practice within our team includes providing very effective and innovative treatments for sexually related conditions such as vaginal atrophy, painful intercourse, and erectile dysfunction.

PSYCHEDELIC MEDICINE

My early interest in consciousness included the use of psychedelic medicines in the early 1970s. The use of such substances was truncated because of its change in legal status during the 1980s. Johns Hopkins University resumed research in 2012 with support from MAPS - Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Science, and the research has since burgeoned. My interest in the role of psychedelic substances has also increased, and I have been hearing stories about the effect of psychedelic medicine on the lives of my patients.

For more information specific to psychedelic medicine, please do not call the office but email me at:

fernandovegamd@gmail.com

Education

  • BS Molecular Biology, University of Washington 1974

  • MD – University of Washington School of Medicine 1978

  • Residency – Altoona Hospital 1981

  • Certified – American Board of Family Practice 1981

  • ABFP. Recertification 1981-88, 1988-95, 1996-2003, 2003-10, 2010- 2018, 2018-2028

  • Advanced Cardiac Life Support 1979, 1999

Professional Employment

  • Mercy Hospital Emergency Department – Altoona, PA 1979-1981

  • Phillipsburg Hospital Emergency Dept – Philipsburg, PA 1979-1981

  • DuBois Hospital Emergency Department – DuBois, PA 1979-1981

  • Northwest Emergency Physicians – Seattle, WA 1981-1982

  • Providence Medical Center Emergency Department -Seattle, WA 1981-1986

  • Cabrini Medical Center Emergency Department, Seattle, WA 1982

Awards

  • Asian Weekly Magazine – Asian-American Pioneers in Medicine 2004

  • Asian Community Health Center – Co-Founder/Visonary Award 2005

  • Seattle Magazine – Seattle’s Best Doctors 2002, 2004

  • Seattle Metropolitan Magazine – Top Doctor 2010

Presentations

  • 1992 – Co-Producer 5th Annual “Renewing the Spirit of the Healer”; Workshop Presenter – The Role of Stories in Healing

  • 1993, 1994 – Producer of 6th & 7th Annual “Renewing the Spirit in Healing”

  • 1994-96 – WANP CME Seminars Co-Producer

  • 1996 – Northwest Hospital Continuing Medical Education Conference; Alternative and Complementary Medicine

  • 1997 – UW Lecture on Integrating Alternative Modalities

  • UW Lecture on Complementary Medicine’s Role in Health Care Delivery

  • 1999 – “Complementary Medicine: An Evidence-Based Approach for Clinicians”

  • 1999 – SHAC Workshop – Using Complementary Medicine in Family Practice, Clinician Working Group on Integration of CAM, Office of the Insurance Commissioner

  • 2005 – White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, CME at SHAC

  • 2005 – 2006 – CME at SHAC (July 2005, Oct 2005, Dec 2005, June 2006, Oct 2006)

Bibliography

  • Vega, Fernando – Peeling Away the Layers. Journal of the American Holistic Med Assn, Fall 1997; pp 21-22

Affiliations

  • National Board of Medical Examiners – 1979

  • Clinical Assistant Professor – University of Washington School of Medicine, Inactive

  • Clinical Assistant Professor – University of Washington School of Public Health, Inactive

  • Medical Staff – Swedish Hospital, Seattle, Emeritus

  • Medical Staff – Northwest Hospital, UW Physicians

  • Lecturer – Bastyr College of Naturopathic Medicine, Inactive

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PHONE
206-522-5646

I am not accepting new patients.

Insurance
Aetna (non HMO)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
First Choice
Lifewise
Premera
Regence

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