R. Chase Cullen, PA‑C, MPAS Kootenai Clinic Neurology Tell us a bit about you and your family. I grew up in a small town in southeast Iowa. I have one older sister and a niece and nephew, whom I adore. Unfortunately, with the distance, I do not get to see them as much as I would like. I always wanted to live in the western United States, surrounded by natural beauty, which drew me to northern Idaho. Where did you receive your degree? I received my undergraduate degree from Iowa State University. I then received my graduate training at St. Ambrose University in Iowa. Why did you pick your specialty? Multiple sclerosis is near and dear to my heart. Growing up, my grandmother would tell me stories about how her mother was affected in the 1940s. Multiple sclerosis is a disease that varies so much between patients, it truly requires a personalized approach to treatment. Working in a large team setting to craft an individualized treatment plan is, in my opinion, an optimal approach to medicine. I am able to fulfill this in our multiple sclerosis subspecialty. What can patients expect when they first meet with you? Patients can expect a comprehensive appointment to review labs, imaging, medical history and current symptoms. I try to always make sure my patients feel heard and can approach me with any questions they may have. Due to multiple sclerosis encompassing so many different symptoms, it is important that we take as much time as needed to determine the best course of action. Meet Our New Providers What are some of your hobbies? I enjoy walking outdoors, music and trivia! I’m hoping to learn how to ski this winter. What drew you to Kootenai Health? The geographic area and the subspecialty of multiple sclerosis are what drew me to Kootenai at first. After interviewing with several people, I felt that Kootenai was a great fit for me. Several virtual interviews and then an in-person interview helped cement that Kootenai is a great place to work, with equally great people woven throughout the organization. What is your favorite healthy tip? Restful, restorative sleep is one of the most important factors in overall and long-term health. Unsurprisingly, new studies have shown that worse sleep efficiency leads to dramatic brain aging. Erik Larson, M.D. Kootenai Heart Clinics Tell us a bit about you and your family. I was born in northern Idaho and grew up in Wasilla, Alaska. My wife, Rachel, and I met at Washington State University in Pullman as undergraduate students in the neuroscience program. She continues to work with WSU on medical education research. We have two sons (a teenager and a new baby) and two dogs. My extended family has lived in northern Idaho for generations, since my great-grandfather immigrated here in the early 1900s. Where did you receive your medical degree? I received my medical education from the University of Washington School of Medicine, in partnership with Washington State University, as part of the regional WWAMI program. This created the opportunity for me to obtain my classroom and clinical bedside medical education mostly in Spokane. My seven-year neurosurgical residency training was completed at Oregon Health and Science University in Portland. 10
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