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ERIC WALLACE, D.O.
Interventional
Cardiologist, Heart Clinics
Northwest
Tell us a little bit about
you and your family.
I was born and raised in
western Washington and
graduated from Eastern
Washington University in
2002. After graduation,
as part of my medi-
cal training, I had the
opportunity to live in
Missouri, North Carolina
and Kentucky, where I
have been fortunate to
have accumulated many
great friends, mentors
and my wife of 10 years.
We currently have three
children, ages 6 (girl),
4 and 1 (boys). Best of
all, we are now just hours
away from our families.
Why did you pick
your specialty?
My first exposure to
medicine and patient
care came as an EMT
over 15 years ago with
the Cheney Fire Depart-
ment. While there, I
frequently encountered
patients with acute
cardiac emergencies. At
cutting-edge technology
and can oftentimes offer
“cures” for patients’
cardiac problems.
What can patients
expect when they
show up for their first
appointment with you?
A smile, genuine concern
and empathy, and time
enough for explanations
that are understandable.
What are some of your
hobbies?
I spend most of my
Saturdays going to my
kids’ soccer and basket-
ball games. Besides that,
I enjoy skiing, hiking and
backpacking, biking, golf-
ing, fishing, and hunting.
Once upon a time, we
loved to travel to exotic
places like Wyoming.
What drew you to
Kootenai Health?
The most attractive thing
was meeting the partners
and feeling like they were
genuinely caring and
down to earth. I was also
very impressed with the
executive director, Mary
Odenthal. And we were
drawn to the beauty of
the area, the mountains
and the prospect of hav-
ing all four seasons.
the time, my skill set was
very basic and our role was
to facilitate transfer to a
medical center capable
of definitive treatments—
most often at the hands
of an interventional cardi-
ologist. At the beginning
of my medical school I
was fascinated by the
complexities of the heart
and always wanted to
understand it better. Early
on as a doctor, I realized
I wanted to specialize in
this broad and innovative
field and have the skills
necessary to definitively
treat emergent condi-
tions. I believe cardiology
is the most exciting med-
ical specialty. In most
cases, our treatment
options are supported by
years of proven efficacy.
Our tools for diagnosis are
becoming increasingly
accurate. Most impor-
tantly, the technologies
that surround us are
constantly expanding. In
fact, we are now routinely
providing therapeutic
options for patients that
were not even available
several years ago. It is
truly a field growing like
no other.
What can patients
expect when they
show up for their first
appointment with you?
First and foremost, at a
patient’s first visit, they
are going to meet some-
one who grew up in the
region, wants to be a
lifelong member of the
community, and can
relate to nearly anybody.
As their physician, I will
strive to earn their trust
by listening to their
concerns and providing
honest feedback and
outstanding care. Second,
when a patient comes to
see me, I will put their
needs first and seek out
second opinions among
our tremendously experi-
enced cardiovascular
group whenever neces-
sary. Finally, I would like
patients to know that the
field of cardiovascular care
is constantly changing
and I am willing to
consider additional
KH . ORG
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As a physician,
I strive to earn
my patients’
TRUST
and provide
honest feedback
and outstanding
care.