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Catherine Chester,
M.D.,
is
joining Kootenai Clinic from
Portland, Oregon. She is board-
certified in internal medicine
and has been in practice since
1997. She graduated from the
Medical College of Wisconsin and
completed her undergraduate
degree at the University of
Wisconsin in Madison.
Q
Tell us a bit about
your family.
I am married, and we have five
children ranging in age from 4 to
18—four girls and one boy.
Q
Why did you pick
your specialty?
I have always been interested in
internal medicine because I enjoy
taking care of people with chronic
health issues and helping them to
achieve the best level of health and
well-being that they can. I enjoy
seeing families and have enjoyed
seeing couples and their elder
parents for care.
Personalized
Care for Health
andWell-Being
Q& A W I T H NEW I N T E RN I S T
C AT HE R I NE CHE S T E R , M . D .
Q
What can patients
expect when they show
up for their first
appointment with you?
Patients can expect a physician
who will want to get to know them
as people, in addition to their
health needs. I know that see-
ing a new physician can cause
some anxiety, and I hope to put
my patients at ease. I believe that
the patient-physician relationship
is founded on making decisions
together.
Q
What are some
of your hobbies?
I have a lot of interests—I enjoy
cycling; swimming, backpacking
and hiking; skiing that is not scary;
crafts; and, of course, enjoying
time with my family and our chil-
dren’s sports and activities.
Q
What drew you to
Kootenai Health?
The people! I was impressed by
the kindness and friendliness of
this community and the Kootenai
Health staff when I came to inter-
view. We were attracted to northern
Idaho, as our family enjoys the out-
doors, and we love the Northwest.
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NEW FACES