I chose to specialize in family medicine in part because I wanted to be able to live anywhere— I just didn’t know at the time that would mean the San Juans! My husband Nick grew up visiting family on Lopez, and it was on a sailing trip with him in 2019 that I first visited Friday Harbor. I was instantly charmed, and we found our island home shortly thereafter in 2020.
Since then, I have come to know this community through the dual lens of physician and mother. I am continually inspired by the genuine care people show for one another—whether through community events, local food production, the arts, or the many thoughtfully run businesses that make this place unique. My hope is that Eventide Health can continue that spirit of connection and care. I am deeply grateful to be part of this vibrant community and am honored to be the new owner and Medical Director of Eventide Health.
Insurance adds unnecessary layers of complexity, creating headaches for both patients and physicians, all while driving costs higher and higher.
Direct Primary Care (DPC) offers a better way. By removing the insurance middleman, DPC allows physicians to work directly with their patients—restoring access, transparency, and trust.
Here’s what the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) says about Direct Primary Care: [AAFP: Direct Primary Care]
The Washington State Legislature recognizes Direct Primary Care as “an innovative, affordable option which could improve access to medical care, reduce the number of people who now lack such access, and cut down on emergency room use for primary care purposes…”
This model is NOT insurance. We recommend you continue to have insurance for emergency and hospital care, imaging, non-standard laboratory testing, and specialist consultations.
What can you expect from this model? Here are just a few examples:
I am a board-certified family physician originally from Eden Prairie, Minnesota. I completed my undergraduate degree, medical, and business degrees at Stanford, followed by residency at UCSF-affiliate Santa Rosa Family Medicine. I then returned to Stanford for a research fellowship where I earned a Masters Degree in Health Policy and ultimately joined the medical school faculty. While there, I used a mixed methods approach to study health service innovations and published over 35 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. I have been practicing clinically since 2015, working my way through residency, Stanford’s Express Care Clinic, and most recently part-time at Peace Health in Friday Harbor, offering primary and urgent care services.
My approach to care centers on developing a holistic understanding of each patient’s health and partnering with them to create personalized plans that support long, flourishing lives. I aim to empower patients to take ownership of their health by making conscious, evidence-based lifestyle choices and embracing the profound connection between mind and body. I also encourage the responsible development of medical technologies to be integrated into patient care where appropriate, a cause I have spoken about publicly. I am as open-minded and non-judgmental as a physician comes and see value in both conventional and integrative/alternative therapies, matching clinical need with patient priorities. With a strong interest in medical research, I also often find myself diving into the latest medical literature alongside my patients during visits.
I live on San Juan Island with my husband, Nick Benavides, and our two boys. Since making the island our home in 2020, we’ve loved getting involved in our children’s education programs and spending time outdoors—boating, fishing, hiking, and exploring the beauty of the islands.
I grew up around the Seattle area and enjoyed visiting San Juan Island frequently as a child. I earned my Bachelor of Arts from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, graduating early. After college, I moved to Portland, Oregon, where I gained experience in administrative and accounting roles before returning to Friday Harbor to be closer to family. I previously worked for San Juan Healthcare as it transitioned to Eventide Health from 2019 to 2022 and am excited to re-join the team as a medical administrator. Outside of work, I enjoy practicing yoga, attending live music events, exploring both fiction and non-fiction literature, creating and appreciating art, and staying engaged in volunteer efforts within the community.
I’m a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Trinity Western University and a Diploma of Tropical Nursing from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. I grew up on the island and have spent most of my 15-year career in nursing thus far here. I’m passionate about collaborating with patients to provide good health care that helps meet their goals for their health. I love this island and this community, and I love that I can give back by working as a nurse here. My husband Nic and I welcomed our baby girl Tilly last fall. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, reading, running, playing soccer, being outdoors, and spending time with my family.
