Erin Harnish, MD

Specialty: Pediatrics.

Years in practice: 29.

Works at: The Progress Center, Longview.

Society memberships: American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Why WSMA: The WSMA helps me work side by side with my colleagues from around the state to help bring evidence-based medical, physician, and patient policy to Washington and more broadly through the AMA nationally. The collegiality and friendship aspect of the meetings for WSMA leads to quality work as well as support and reassurance to each of us as individual physicians. Many of us work tirelessly to provide local care to our patients as well as advocate for our patients and our profession. The WSMA provides a place to work together to be a stronger voice.

Why serve on WSMA’s board: I want to continue to serve on the board for the WSMA because I see the importance of bringing the minds of medicine together to make good decisions and advocate for our profession and our patients. I’m honored to work with our brilliant staff and fellow board members on the difficult issues we’re currently facing in the profession of medicine. I believe in and love to operate in a spirit of consensus. I’m experienced in advocacy at the local level, state level, and national level. Most recently, on a local level, I’ve organized and testified to keep city water fluoridation. On the state and national levels, I’ve also advocated for evidence-based immunization recommendations and schedules.

Why should physicians lead: Physicians remain a trusted resource for current evidence-based science. We need to be a loud voice to advocate for needed promotion of medical interventions and basic public health measures. As a pediatrician, I have the honor of being a trusted member of many peoples' families. We give advice and teach at every visit. We need to lead an effort to continue to promote the health of the people of Washington state.

How do you help further WSMA’s vision to make Washington state the best place to practice medicine and receive care: Before each board meeting, I educate myself on the issues in front of us to be able to intelligently add to our conversation and decisions. I advocate locally, statewide, and nationally. I enjoy mentoring and sharing experiences with others. I encourage involvement and provide review and feedback of testimony, resolutions, and issues that are facing medicine in Washington.

Fun fact about you: I not only love to travel but also to learn about other cultures. I was a Japanese international studies major in college (along with a biology major and chemistry minor) and am fluent in Japanese. I continue to stay active in hosting international delegations to our city and am a member of our sister city commission.