Harpreet S. Brar, MD
Education: Spartan Health Science University School of Medicine
Residency: University of Washington
Fellowship: University of Washington
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Brar began his GI career here in Olympia in 1999. He is well-known
around the practice for his continual monitoring of all things newsworthy.
This love of staying informed translates into Dr. Brar’s practice of
medicine as he utilizes and shares the latest recommendations in
evidence-based medicine with his patients, staff and peers.
Mark D. Cumings, MD
Education: Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at Marshall University
Residency: Tripler Army Medical Center
Fellowship: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Cumings is a retired United States Army Colonel and was Gastroenterology
Services Chief at Madigan Army Medical Center before retiring from military
service and joining our practice in 2015. His GI career began in 2002 and
has taken him all over the world. Dr. Cumings enjoys spending much of his
time off boating, fishing and shrimping on local waters.
Rodney W. Joe, MD
Education: University of Washington + University of Utah School of
Medicine
Residency: University of Washington
Fellowship: University of Washington
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Joe’s GI career started here in Olympia in 1997. He recently completed
an MS in Healthcare Administration from University of Washington to expand
his knowledge in healthcare management. Dr. Joe is well known for his
easy-going style, including no neck ties from Memorial Day to Labor Day. He
also facilitated a collaboration between our team and Harley-Davidson for a very
popular “check your tailpipe” Colon Cancer Awareness month campaign.
Lucas R. Leonard, MD
Education: University of Illinois College of Medicine
Residency: Tripler Army Medical Center
Fellowship: San Antonino Uniformed Health Services Consortium
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Leonard began his GI practice in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, in 2014 and
transferred to Madigan Army Medical Center in 2017, beginning weekend work
with our team at the same time. Dr. Leonard finished his military service in
December 2019 and we are thrilled to have him onboard full time.
Benjamin F. Merrifield, MD
Education: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine
Residency: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Fellowship: Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Harvard Medical School
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Merrifield began his GI career with GA in Olympia in 2005. Now he
provides hospital coverage for our team a portion of each month. He also is a
medical device inventor and is typically juggling several entrepreneurial
projects at once. Dr. Merrifield serves as the ASGE Vice-Chair of the
Inventions and Innovations SIG.
David J. Owens, MD
Education: University of Washington School of Medicine
Residency: University of Washington
Fellowship: University of California, San Diego
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Owens started his GI career in his hometown, Olympia, in 2009 after
completing an additional year of GI fellowship to specialize in advanced GI
technologies. Since then he has provided specialized advanced procedure
services, such as Endoscopic Ultrasound, to our community.
Kathryne A. Wagner, MD
Education: University of Washington Medical School
Residency: University of New York, Syracuse
Fellowship: University of New York, Syracuse
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Wagner began her GI career in Olympia in 1992 after returning to her PNW
home from Syracuse, New York. Dr. Wagner believes in a maintaining a green,
healthy and active lifestyle. She can frequently be found enjoying raw
vegetables and has successfully completed the Seattle-to-Portland bike ride
in one day!
Nicholas K. Weber, MD
Education: University of Kentucky
Residency: University of Colorado
Fellowship: Mayo Clinic
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Weber began his GI career in the south Puget Sound region in 2014,
joining GA in 2017. He fits right in to the our team with his intense focus
on providing the highest quality, compassionate care to his patients.
Meimin Xie, MD
Education: Iowa State University + Beijing Medical University
Residency: Saint Barnabus Medical Center, New Jersey
Fellowship: Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Xie (pronounced “see ya”) completed her medical degree after earning an
MS in Molecular Biology from Iowa State University. She began her GI career
here in Olympia in 2007. Dr. Xie is an active bicyclist and reminds us to
share the road!
Kristine Y. Zhang, MD
Education: University of Minnesota School of Medicine
Residency: University of Washington
Fellowship: University of Washington
Board Certified in Gastroenterology by the American Board of Internal
Medicine (ABIM)
Dr. Zhang left her Midwest roots to start her GI career here in Olympia in
2008. She, along with many of our physicians, balances a busy family life
with her calling to be a physician.
Advanced Practice Providers:
ARNPs/PA-Cs:
Teresa P. Abernathy, ARNP
Ivona Evans, ARNP
Stephanie F. Mitchell, ARNP
Victoria M. Moore, PA-C
Ralph Pulido, ARNP
Maddie Reed, ARNP
Stephanie A. Romine, ARNP
Janelisa K. Williams, PA-C