Meet Our Team

Director, Obstetrics Fellowship; Associate Program Director, Family Medicine Residency

Languages: English
Hometown: Croswell, Michigan
Medical School: Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine
Residency: Tacoma Family Medicine
Fellowships: University of Washington Faculty Development, Department of Family Medicine
Clinical Interests: Obstetrics/Women’s Health, Procedural skills, Cesarean sections, Rural Medicine, Leadership in Healthcare

I joined Tacoma Family Medicine because of its commitment to training full-spectrum family physicians who serve both rural and urban underserved communities. At a time when access to maternity care is declining across the United States—particularly in rural and under-resourced areas—I am proud to be part of a program that actively helps address this gap by training physicians to provide comprehensive obstetrical care where it is most needed. Our program delivers broad, high-quality training across all areas of family medicine, including robust obstetrics. I am continually inspired by our residents and fellows, whose dedication to patient care—especially in underserved populations—reflects the heart of our mission.

I grew up in a rural farming community in Michigan, where limited access to medical care shaped my understanding of healthcare disparities early on. After residency, I worked in a Critical Access Hospital in Eastern Washington, providing full-spectrum care, including surgical obstetrics, to a community of approximately 1,500 people. That experience reinforced my commitment to delivering high-quality care in resource-limited settings and allowed me to fully utilize the breadth of my training.

My approach to medicine centers on treating each patient as an individual within the context of their family and community. I am actively involved in medical staff committees and the Washington Academy of Family Physicians, and I believe strongly in advocating for family medicine at the local, state, and national levels.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors, reading, and traveling.

Medical Director, OB Access Clinic and MultiCare ObGyn; Associate Program Director, Family Medicine Residency

Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu
Hometown: New Delhi, India
Medical School: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, India
Residency: Wayne State University, Detroit
Clinical interests: Women’s Health

I was born and raised in India where I went to medical school in a university that focused on the urban underserved population along with the countless people coming in from the surrounding rural areas for medical care. With a strong desire to contribute to women’s health and well-being, I pursued an OB/GYN residency. I was working as OB/GYN faculty there when my life took an interesting turn and brought me to my new home, the United States of America!

Soon after I did my second OB/GYN residency in Detroit, I was drawn to the TFM residency and the Obsterics Fellowship program. My work here enables me to pursue my passion for taking care of women, be a part of the teaching and training of future generations of physicians while continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I treasure the opportunity to share my clinical experiences from across the globe with the fellows and residents, for a diverse and broader perspective of both medicine and women’s healthcare and needs.

In my free time, I love hanging out with my family and my friends – both indoors and outdoors. I dabble in cooking and gardening. I enjoy traveling and music. And yes, I do enjoy Bollywood music and movies as well. Oh, and the game of cricket too!

Language: English
Hometown: La Grange, KY
Medical School: University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Residency: Alaska Family Medicine Residency Program
Clinical Interests: Addiction medicine / Substance use in pregnancy, Infectious disease, Chronic disease management

Hello! I’m Stu. I studied music as a guitarist before I even remotely considered pursuing medicine as a career. I then worked as a paramedic in rural Kentucky before going to medical school. I like to spend my time either outside, with my pets, or continuing to learn to be a better partner, friend, brother, and son. I am looking forward to joining the team at Tacoma Family Medicine!

Language: English
Hometown:
Medical School: Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine
Residency: University of Wyoming Rural Training Track Thermopolis, WY
Clinical Interests: emergency medicine, global and tropical medicine, surgical OB

I am passionate about full spectrum family care, esp women’s health in underserved and rural communities. After fellowship, my plan is to practice full spectrum medicine overseas before settling back in the Mountain West. Interests include backpacking, climbing, and running.

Language: English, Spanish
Hometown: Evergreen Park, IL
Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine – Peoria
Residency: Tacoma Family Medicine, Tacoma Washington
Clinical Interest: Obstetrics with CS, Reproductive Health, Addiction Medicine, Pediatrics

I was born and raised in Evergreen Park, a suburb on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. My mom is one of 12 children, and my dad is one of 8, so I grew up surrounded by a large, loving extended family. This supportive community played an important role in my decision to become a family physician.

I attended Saint Louis University in Missouri, where I majored in Biology and Spanish. I graduated from University of Illinois College of Medicine, Peoria Campus. I recently finished my residency training with Tacoma Family Medicine, where I received full spectrum family medicine training, and was able to focus on my passion for obstetrics. I am excited to begin my fellowship with TFM to advance my training in surgical obstetrics. After graduation I plan to continue FMOB with CS in a rural community and hope to incorporate teaching into my practice as well to support future generations of family medicine physicians.

I live in Central Tacoma with my husband, Mitch, and our dog, Rosie. In my free time, I enjoy reading, hiking, yoga, and spending time outdoors with my family.

Language: English, Spanish
Hometown: Palos Verdes, CA
Medical School: University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix
Residency: Tacoma Family Medicine, Tacoma Washington
Clinical Interests: Comprehensive obstetric and pediatric care, lactation medicine, and healthcare in low-resource and rural settings

I grew up in the beachside town of Palos Verdes, California and eventually made it to the Pacific Northwest by way of Guatemala, Colorado, Massachusetts and Arizona. I had so much fun in residency here at Tacoma Family Medicine that I decided to stick around for another year. I am thrilled to join the OB Access team and to continue working with our wonderful patients, attendings and residents!

When I am not on the labor deck or in the clinic, I like to spend my time baking, playing with clay and wandering beaches, mountains, forests, and farmers markets with my cocker spaniel, Ellie.

Language: English, French (conversational)
Hometown: Bozeman, MT
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Residency: Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana, Missoula MT
Clinical Interests: Full-spectrum family medicine with a dedication to continuity of care across the lifespan, including obstetrics (surgical and non-surgical), comprehensive women’s health, pediatrics, and adult medicine.

Growing up, my days were spent on a small sheep farm outside of Bozeman, MT. After high school, I continued on to Carroll College where I received a bachelor’s degree in biology. Shortly after college I was able to serve as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon, Central Africa where I worked in a small village developing projects focused on maternal health in areas such as malnutrition and malaria prevention. This is where my love of medicine grew into a calling, and I was able to return after my service to attend medical school at the University of Washington and residency at the Family Medicine Residency of Western Montana. I have a passion for working in rural communities and look forward to providing full-spectrum family medicine care after completing FM/OB fellowship. In my free time I love to read, trail run and cross-country ski with my husband and my dog.

Language: Spanish, American Sign Language
Hometown: Douglas, WY
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Residency: Ascension Via Christi, Wichita, KS
Clinical Interests: Inpatient care, international medicine, obstetrics

I come from a long line of Wyoming ranchers, oil-field engineers, and outdoorsmen. I branched out and became the first doctor in the family. While my studies have taken me far from home, I am looking forward to a career back in the rolling foothills of the Laramie mountain range, serving the rural communities that raised me. I am deeply passionate about increasing access to quality care in rural areas and being part of the solution to the maternity desert crisis. It is a privilege to provide care to anyone who walks in, from pediatrics, to obstetrics, to geriatric care. I enjoy spending time with my wife and kids, painting with watercolor, listening to podcasts, and getting lost outdoors.

Languages: English, Tagalog, a little bit of French
Hometown: Quezon City, Philippines / Rolla, Missouri
Medical School: University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO
Residency: University of Missouri Health Care, Columbia, MO
Clinical interest: High risk obstetric care, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery

The two career pathways that my Sorting Hat vacillated between were medicine and education — I am fortunate enough to have found a position where I can do both here at TFM.

I carry a strong passion in providing the best possible care for every single one of our patients (especially those in a vulnerable position). This sentiment applies to both our patients today as well as the future patients that our graduates will encounter in the future.

When I am not in scrubs holding our trainees to high clinical standards, I like to spend time at home with my family (human and fur), dabble in creative endeavors such as photography, make a mess in the kitchen, and scroll social media for advice on how to be a good parent.

Language: English
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Medical School: Drexel University College of Medicine (Philadelphia, PA)
Residency: Inove Fairfax Medical Campus in Fairfax, VA
Clinical Interests: I practice full scope obstetrics and gynecology but my particular clinical interests include minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and reproductive medicine. I have a particular interest in management and work up of infertility as well as recurrent pregnancy loss. My clinical interest also includes adolescent gynecology, family planning, with a focus of equitable access to reproductive services. 

I grew up outside of Philadelphia with a very large, very loud Egyptian family trying to mesh into their new world as immigrants. I found striking a balance between two different cultures challenging and naturally surrounded myself with people going through the same struggle. It gave me a unique opportunity to learn from people of all walks of life. Because of this, I began to prioritize similar opportunities in building my career.

I went on to school in Washington, DC and medical school back in Philly. I worked at Covenant House as well as The Eliza Shirley House as an advocacy coordinator through medical school. During training, I had the opportunity to care for many patients with extreme socioeconomic barriers to care. I subsequently worked as a laborist in the DC area, serving as a safety net provider for patients with no care or minimal prenatal care. These experiences gave me a deeper understanding of the profound inequities within our healthcare system, implicit biases, and beyond.

This foundation led me to work here in Tacoma! My background has instilled a strong passion for teaching, with a focus on providing access to the most vulnerable populations.  The OB Access Clinic takes care of some of the most high-risk patients in the area with similar barriers to care. All the clinicians strive to provide the most empathetic, evidence-based care. I wanted to work in an environment that demonstrates this in leadership and works to educate the next generation of clinicians to bring this type of practice into their community.

Outside of medicine, I love to spend time with my husband Ayman and new baby Nico. I try and see family and friends as much as possible. I am overall a Philly girl at heart, so I’ll take any chance to go see the Eagles or any Philly sports team. I also love to travel, run, ski, do yoga, or just be lazy with my 2 cats.

Languages: English, some Spanish
Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA, but grew up in Van Nuys CA
Medical School: Chicago Medical School 1993
Residency: Transition Internship year then OB-GYN residency at Bakersfield CA as well as University of CA, Los Angeles, Associate Professor to University of WA
Military: US Navy, LT Commander. My son was born at Balboa Navy Medical Center in California
Clinical Interests: High risk obstetrics, gynecological surgery

I love being able to empower a patient with knowledge of her own health conditions. I love it when I see the little light bulb go off!

I have been here at MOGA since November of 2021.  High Risk obstetrics is a passion of mine, as is gynecological surgery with the DaVinci robotic system for patients needing surgery. I am an Advanced Life Support Obstetrics Instructor as well. I enjoy providing the highest level of care to every individual. All women have the right to great healthcare.

A person can continue working at their job if they are feeling “complete.” MOGA has become my second family, with my son and mom my first. Our group has a good balance of teachers from experienced to recently graduated. We grow with knowledge together. We enjoy each other’s company and stories. The group’s strength is the long-term occupants, tight cohesion, friendly bonding, proactive thinkers and problem solvers. We all bring many traits to make us feel “more complete.” Many times, we have to think outside the box because each patient is not a textbook patient. We can all have busy nights on call and there is always someone to help pick you up if needed, because we all have been there.

When I am not working, I am enjoying the company of my son, a UW student in the College of Engineering. We like to go camping, boating, hiking, bicycle riding, exploring nature- even if it is on an exotic island surrounded by clear blue water or a mountain filled with various wildflowers and wildlife or have it blanketed in fresh snow. My Shih Tzus try to join us outside when possible. Here in Washington, I am blessed that we don’t have to travel far to be close to such stunning beauties of Mother Nature. I like to garden in the Spring and summer and can some goodness for later!

Language(s): English, Hindi, Odiya
Hometown: Bhubaneswar , India
Medical School: Sriram Chandra Bhanja Medical College, Cuttack, India
Residency: Hurley Medical College, Flint , Michigan State University, MI
Clinical Interests: Diagnosing and treating pre-invasive cervical pathology, abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, infertility, PCOS, chronic pelvic pain, and a wide range of other gynecologic conditions. surgical management using minimally invasive techniques, including advanced da Vinci robotic surgery.

For the past 14 years, I have been privileged to care for women across diverse communities. One lesson that has remained constant throughout my career is that, regardless of socioeconomic background, women often prioritize the needs of their families and careers above their own health and well-being. As an OB-GYN, I feel empowered every time I have the opportunity to positively influence a woman’s health journey and help her achieve her best quality of life.

My career began in India, where I completed my residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology. During this time, I developed expertise in normal, operative, and cesarean deliveries, as well as a wide range of obstetric and gynecologic procedures, including vaginal and abdominal hysterectomies. When the opportunity arose to continue my medical training in the United States, I eagerly pursued it and was fortunate to match into my chosen specialty once again.

After completing residency in a community health setting in Flint, Michigan, I went on to care for women and families in California’s Central Valley, a region with significant barriers to healthcare access. Many of my patients faced difficult circumstances, continuing physically demanding work well into the third trimester—even during high-risk pregnancies. Despite medical recommendations and work restriction letters, economic realities often required them to keep working, leading to frequent pregnancy complications. Managing these complex cases provided invaluable experience in high-risk obstetrics and strengthened my commitment to advocating for underserved populations.

Education has always been an important part of my professional life. I enjoy sharing my knowledge with students and trainees, while continuously learning from colleagues, patients, and evolving advances in medicine. I look forward to many more years of providing compassionate, evidence-based care and contributing my expertise to the team at MOGA-OBAC.

Languages: English
Medical School: University of Minnesota Medical School, Doctor of Medicine
Residency: University of Utah – School of Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology

Elizabeth Jacobson, MD, MPH, is a board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist. Dr. Jacobson comes with a background in public health with a focus on preventive care and lifestyle changes to help patients meet their health goals. Away from work, she enjoys spending time with family, friends and her two dogs. She also enjoys hiking, gardening and traveling.

Language: English
Hometown: Sterling, CO
Medical School: Creighton University School of Medicine; Omaha, NE
Residency: Creighton University School of Medicine; Omaha, NE
Clinical Interests: High-risk obstetrical care, menopausal medicine, and pelvic floor health.

As an OBGYN, I am interested in providing full spectrum care. My training and clinical interests have led me to enjoy being involved in high-risk obstetrical care, menopausal medicine, and pelvic floor health. I am passionate about providing evidence-based, patient-centered care. I love advocating for patients in and outside the exam room to improve access to reproductive healthcare. As a faculty member, I value the time I spend teaching, mentoring, and learning with the next generation of OB providers.

Outside of the walls of the hospital, I enjoy spending time outdoors. On my time off, you’ll find me hiking and backpacking with my cute dog and partner. I like to quench my need for speed by cruising on my bicycle. Although I value any time I can get to travel far, experience delicious foods and creative cultures, I am also happy spending time working on jigsaw puzzles or playing board games with friends.

Language: English, Spanish
Hometown: Coppell, TX
Medical School: Texas A&M COM
Residency: University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston
Clinical Interests: Low and high-risk obstetrics, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, PCOS

I am a Texan who has fallen in love with the Pacific Northwest. I majored in Cultural Anthropology at UT Austin then went to Texas A&M for medical school. There I spent three years on the medical school admissions committee, honored my OBGYN rotation, and became the OBGYN course liaison. After medical school I completed an OBGYN residency at UTMB Galveston, where I earned the Minimally Invasive Surgeon of the Year and SASGOG academic generalist of the year awards.

After residency I wanted to live somewhere surrounded by nature. I spent three years in rural southern Oregon where I was in private practice as a full spectrum generalist OBGYN. Additionally, I was community faculty for the Cascades East Family Medicine program. It was through my interactions with the family medicine residents that I realized how much I loved teaching, and I began to seek out opportunities to have a more active role as an educator. I feel very lucky to have found my position at TFM. In my free time I like spending time with my family and friends, reading fantasy novels, hiking with my dog, and finding new restaurants.

Program Director, Family Medicine Residency Program

Language: English
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Medical School: Georgetown University School of Medicine
Residency: Seattle Indian Health Board (satellite of Swedish-Cherry Hill)
Fellowship: University of Washington Faculty Development
Clinical Interests: Population Health and Quality Improvement, Patient-Centered Medical Home Model, Underserved Medicine/Social Determinants of Health, Medical Informatics (Epic Physician Builder since 2016)

Combating health disparities is what drew me to medicine and where I have found the most joy in my practice. Being faculty at TFM and teaching residents is not only an enjoyable career but a natural fit for me as it creates the opportunity to ensure that this work continues on as our residents begin their future careers in pursuit these same goals.

Growing up locally in South Tacoma and experiencing firsthand the various deleterious effects of social determinants of health eventually drew me into family medicine. The variety of full spectrum practice and the opportunity to impact patients’ lives as well as that of their families has been what keeps me engaged in this career. Being the first in my family to attend college and then finding a way to have an impact in my home community has been such an honor. Having spent 10 years in practice in a federally qualified health center (FQHC) prior to becoming faculty at TFM has shaped my perspective on teaching residents as they pursue careers in serving the underserved.

In my free time I enjoy being with my family, reading, watching movies/theater, traveling as well as listening to and playing music.

Languages: English, Spanish
Hometown: Pojoaque, New Mexico
Medical School: University of Washington
Residency: University of Illinois-Chicago
Fellowships: PCC/West Suburban Maternal Child Health, University of Washington Faculty Development
Clinical Interests: Women’s Health/Obstetrics, Latino Health/Underserved Medicine, Adult LGBTQ Care, Transgender/Gender Affirming Care

My approach to medicine focuses on providing quality and compassionate care to communities in need which aligns perfectly with the mission and values of TFM.

I grew up in an impoverished, primarily Latino and Native American community in Northern New Mexico and experienced personally the effects of an underfunded and overwhelmed medical system. As I entered medicine, I knew I wanted to find a specialty that didn’t just treat diseases but rather focused on taking care of the whole person, which meant trying to understand an individual’s social determinants of health. Family Medicine was an easy choice. As a gay Latinx person, I try to not only empower my community but all underserved populations to improve their wellness.

In my free time, I like spending time with my husband, reading, running and traveling.

Languages: English, German
Hometown: Evanston, WY
Medical School: University of Washington School of Medicine
Residency: Tacoma Family Medicine
Fellowships: MultiCare Tacoma Family Medicine Rural Family Medicine and Obstetrics Fellowship

Clinical Interests: Obstetrics & Women’s Health, Hospital Medicine, Rural Medicine, Adolescent Medicine, Adult LGBTQ Care 

My love of family medicine found its roots in the partnership between a physician and a pregnant parent.  I love helping families navigate the prenatal journey and transition to parenthood and throughout childhood development.  I find joy in the relationships that grow in family medicine: knowing my patients throughout multiple stages of their life, helping with healing in times of severe illness, and providing advice to inform medical decisions.

My hometown is in a rural area and my first years in practice were in a rural health clinic and critical access hospital, providing full-spectrum care for our little community.  Now that my family is back in Tacoma, I enjoy helping our family medicine residents find their home in rural medicine and ensuring that we as a residency are training excellent and caring family physicians to lead their communities.

In my free time, I love gardening, exploring the world with my children and family, upcycling old “junk,” and camping.

Languages: English
Hometown: St. Louis, Missouri
Medical School: University of Michigan
Residency: University of Missouri-Columbia
Clinical Interests: Developmental Disabilities, Rural Medicine, Cardiology

I came to TFM in 2000 after 10 years in rural medicine. I was drawn by the opportunity to both serve communities in need, and to prepare residents to embrace this work in their careers in both urban and rural settings. I have stayed because we have a wonderful community of residents, faculty, nurses, and staff committed to this mission.

I love the entire breadth of family medicine and the long term relationships with my patients. It is a joy to support individuals in their lives and health over many years. In rural medicine, my practice included the emergency room, inpatient care, obstetrics, and busy full scope outpatient care with multiple nursing homes. I enjoy preparing residents and fellows for all that rural medicine entails. My current greatest passion is caring for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. In 2018, I helped open MultiCare’s Adult Developmental Clinic, and now dedicate a part of my time to directing that clinic.

I followed a winding tour of “M” states before getting it right and landing in Washington. I grew up in Michigan and Missouri, completed undergrad and medical school at the University of Michigan (Go Blue!), and did residency at the University of Missouri, Columbia. I served the Blackfeet in Montana with Indian Health Service, which was a great privilege in many ways. I returned to Fulton, Missouri, to teach for 6 years at a rural training site for the University of Missouri. I moved to Tacoma in 2000, drawn by family and by TFM’s mission. I have served several rural Honduran communities with a Tacoma based medical mission group with annual visits over a 10 year period. I am active in local, state, and national advocacy for services for the developmental disability community.

For fun, I must be active, from running and weight training to camping, hiking, and backpacking. Peaks still have a particular appeal. We enjoy travel, which we spice up by buying random trips at charity auctions.

Languages: English, Spanish, French, Arabic
Hometown: Westfield, NJ
Medical School: Dartmouth-Brown Combined Medical School Program
Residency: University of California, Davis
Fellowships: Georgetown Health Policy Fellowship, Department of Health and Human Service Health Policy Fellowship, University of Washington Faculty Development
Clinical Interests: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), Health Promotion/Disease Prevention, Research, Scholarly Activity

My mother is a doctor, a general practitioner. My parents both immigrated from Egypt about 50 years ago, so my upbringing is very much influenced by the first-generation experience. As many first-generation immigrants learn, the expectations of your parents plays huge in your life. Seeing that my mom could do it, then come to this country and get her certification and practice, that made it real for me. I joined TFM to teach in a highly academic community program dedicated to training compassionate family physicians who provide full scope care to communities in need. I continue to be inspired by my fellow faculty and residents on a daily basis; my colleagues are amazing individuals and physicians.

I have practiced family medicine in diverse urban communities during my entire career. I have considered TFM a second family ever since I moved across the country from Washington DC to Tacoma in 2005. In my clinical and teaching work, I am passionate about translating evidence into guidelines and practice; engaging physicians and patients in shared decision-making for the provision of preventive services; and implementing evidence based clinical support tools into the electronic medical record. In addition to my role at TFM, I am an investigator at the Kaiser Permanente Evidence Based Practice Center where I lead systematic reviews supporting the US Preventive Services Task Force. I serve on committees in and outside of the residency aimed to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in primary, secondary and graduate education.

I am commonly sighted running or biking all over Tacoma with my family. If you see me, be sure to wave!