Fernando Vega, MD

I was born and raised in Seattle, with part of my early childhood spent in the Philippines. My medical career began in Emergency Medicine, working in hospitals across Pennsylvania and Washington. After ten years in emergency care, I returned home to Seattle to open a private Family Medicine practice—where my focus began to expand beyond treating illness toward understanding the many ways people heal.

In 1981, I founded Seattle Healing Arts Center, bringing together a diverse group of practitioners—physicians, acupuncturists, naturopaths, midwives, physical therapists, and others—who share a commitment to whole-person care. From the beginning, our vision was to explore what truly supports healing and how different disciplines can work together to improve patient outcomes.

Over the past 45 years, I’ve had the privilege of listening to thousands of patients and witnessing remarkable examples of resilience and transformation. Every person brings their own story—one shaped by life experiences, relationships, and beliefs. I begin each visit by listening deeply to that story, because understanding who you are is the foundation for meaningful healing.

My approach integrates the best of conventional medicine with holistic and evidence-informed practices to support your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.

.

Education

  • BS Molecular Biology, University of Washington, 1974

  • MD – University of Washington School of Medicine, 1978

  • Residency – Family Medicine, 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/Visionary 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 CME Lecture on Integrating Alternative Modalities

  • 1999 – Lecture “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 Washington State Insurance Commissioner, Deborah Senn

  • 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)

  • 2025 - Essay to the Medical Disciplinary Board on the Hazards of Psychedelic Medicines (updated v4,4)

  • 2025 – Administration of the First Legal Ibogaine Session in the United States; Clinical Documentation and Video Case Presentation

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

PHONE
206-522-5646

I am not accepting new patients.

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

Forms
New Patient Packet
Notice of Privacy Practices
Motor Vehicle Accident Form

Pay Your Bill