Christopher Faison, MD
Skyline Hospital, White Salmon
Dr. Faison
For Dr. Christopher Faison, being a family doctor is about being part of a community, about working one-on-one with families journeying through different phases of life. He appreciates a job that balances hands and head, and allows him to be present for both special and difficult moments. He has a particular interest in pediatrics, reproductive health, sports medicine, and palliative care.
Chris grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and spent most of his life in the Southeast and Appalachia, including North Carolina and Virginia. He and his wife Tracy fell in love with the Pacific Northwest during a cross country road trip in a wood paneled station wagon, their hermaphroditic dog Joey in tow.
Chris has been lucky enough to live and work in some pretty unique places, from Germany to Kenya. These are experiences he continues to draw upon as we decide locally and nationally what type of health care systems are practical and in keeping with our values.
Since moving to the NW, the Gorge has been and continues to be a special place for both him and his family. They escaped to the area often during medical training, were married here, and are thrilled to be planting roots here. To Chris, the place is a living story, a beautifully illustrated reminder of a much bigger and longer timescale and our place in it. He looks forward to having his arm twisted into many long hikes as well as to learning some of the many new pastimes the area has to offer.
Allen LaBerge, MD
Skyline Hospital, White Salmon
Allen LaBerge, MD
Allen considers it an honor to have the opportunity to be a physician and work with people from all walks of life. He grew up in Cathlamet, Washington and feels fortunate to be able to work and raise his family in White Salmon.
The wide range of outdoor activities available in the Mid Columbia Gorge drew Allen and his wife, Dr. Alicia Giménez, to the area. Dr. LaBerge enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, golfing, wood working, hiking, skiing, and remaining physically active. Together they enjoy watching ball games, attending the theater and cooking fabulous meals.
EDUCATION
Residency in Family Medicine, Family Medicine Spokane Residency Program – 1996
Doctor of Medicine, University of Washington – 1993
Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy, University of Washington – 1988
CERTIFICATIONS
Board Certified Family Medicine – American Board of Family Medicine
Aviation Medical Examiner
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Family Physicians
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Adult Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Endoscopy
Christopher Samuels, MD
Providence Hood River Hospital, Skyline Hospital, White Salmon
Christopher Samuels, MD
Dr. Samuels believes that rural family medicine is all about the members of a community taking care of one another. For health care providers, that means serving people you depend on and respect. For patients, it means receiving care from people you know and trust. An intimate setting, such as we have at NorthShore Medical Group and Skyline Hospital allows us to deliver personalized, life long, high quality, up-to-date care. Dr. Samuels look forward to caring for people of all ages, but is especially interested in taking care of geriatric patients.
Dr. Samuels, his wife, Sarah, and their two children spend their time together working around their home, reading, hiking, camping, skiing and biking.
EDUCATION
Residency in Family Medicine, La Crosse – Mayo Family Medicine Residency – 2002
Doctor of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center – 1999
CERTIFICATIONS
Board Certified Family Medicine – American Board of Family Medicine
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Family Physicians
Chardonnay Vance, MD PhD
Providence Hood River Hospital, Skyline Hospital, Stevenson, White Salmon
A long and winding career path has led Dr. Chardonnay Vance to the practice of medicine, and she is delighted to be working with NorthShore in the Gorge. She and her family have felt so welcomed both in Stevenson and White Salmon.
She began her career working as a midwife, then as a biochemist, and now as a physician, and she feels her career path brings lots of different perspectives to her practice of family medicine. As a provider, Dr. Vance strives primarily to be a good listener. She wants her patients to be heard. Her main goal is to help patients make decisions regarding their physical and emotional health and help them achieve both short-term and long-term goals. Dr. Vance sees herself as a resource for her patients with regards to current medical evidence and recommendations: all in the spirit of helping patients make decisions and take actions that are best for their health.
Dr. Vance is excited to offer obstetrical services at NorthShore – with deliveries at Providence in Hood River. She has a long history of assisting with births, working with both midwives and physicians. She has worked from El Paso, Texas to St. Petersburg, Russia, over the past 20 years. She is always honored and delighted to be a part of the process of pregnancy, birth, and the post-partum period. Her goal is to help patients and their families bring children into the world as healthfully, peacefully, and gracefully as possible. Dr. Vance is excited to connect with patients and other providers alike!
Dr. Vance and her husband and three-year old daughter, and she were lucky to find a semi-developed property up Snowden that they are fixing up and making their own, and they are happy to share the land with bobcats, birds, and bears. They are also soliciting advice and suggestions for tending to the land (which fruits to consider planting, how to keep mice and deer at bay, good snowplow recommendations…).
Dr. Vance looks forward to getting to know you all and serving the lovely Gorge Community for a long time to come!
EDUCATION
Residency at Montana Family Medicine Residency, Billings Montana
Doctor of Medicine, at Wake Forest University , Winston-Salem North Carolina
PhD in Comparative Biochemistry at UC Berkeley
MS in Biophysics at U of Minnesota
BS in Life and Physical Sciences at U of Minnesota
Lay Midwifery Training at Maternidad La Luz, El Paso Texas
Doula Training with Gail Tully of Spinning Babies, Minneapolis Minnesota
CERTIFICATIONS
Board Certified in Family Medicine
Current in ALSO, NRP, STABLE, PFCCS , ATLS, ACLS/BLS, PALS
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Full-Spectrum Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Chronic Disease Management, Preventative Care , Palliative Care, End of Life Care
Troy Witherrite, MD
Providence Hood River Hospital, Skyline Hospital, Stevenson, White Salmon
Dr. Troy Witherite
Dr. Witherrite believes that rural family medicine remains the ideal for the family medicine specialty. It gives doctors the ability to provide full spectrum care for patients from, obstetrics & pediatrics to geriatrics and everything stage in between. He finds that having the opportunity to care for you and your entire family is very rewarding.
Besides being close to where he grew up in Pendleton, OR, Dr. Troy Witherrite chose to move to the area because of the nice blend of cultures, and climates that the area offers. He chose to practice at NorthShore because there is a strong spirit of independence here as well as a wonderfully diverse group of professionals to work with.
Outside the office, Dr. Witherrite enjoys backpacking, hiking, trail running, mountain biking, and CrossFit. He also loves spending time with his wife, Dr. Liette Witherrite and their two daughters, Lila and Sage. He has also been enjoying fixing up their nearly century old farmhouse. To date they have built a large chicken coop, greenhouse, and begun restoring the barn.
EDUCATION
Fellowship in Faculty Development, University of Arizona College of Medicine – 2006
Residency in Family Medicine, Banner Good Samaritan Family Medicine Residency Program – 2006
Internship in Internal Medicine, Maricopa Integrated Health System Internal Medicine Residency Program – 2004
Doctor of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin – 2002
Masters of Arts in Medical Ethics, Medical College of Wisconsin – 2002
Bachelor of Science: Double Major in Biology & Philosophy, Oregon State University – 1997
CERTIFICATIONS
Board Certified Family Medicine – American Board of Family Medicine
ORGANIZATIONS
American Academy of Family Physicians
SPECIAL INTERESTS
Suboxone (Click here for Suboxone Patient Handout)