Kristen Wyrick, MD

Specialty: Family medicine.

Years in practice: 22.

Works at: Optum, Marysville.

Society memberships: American Academy of Family Physicians, Uniformed Service Academy of Family Physicians, American Medical Association.

Why WSMA: The WSMA is a physician-led organization which brings together physicians from all over the state to help influence policy and patient care.

Why serve on WSMA’s Board: Being born and raised in Washington and now practicing medicine here, I want to contribute to the future of medicine and ensure that our state continues to be one of the best places to give and receive care.

Why should physicians lead: No one knows the health care system like physicians, and the pressures being put on the health care system at this time have the potential to erode the patient-physician relationship. I feel that the physician voice needs to be strong and at the tables where decisions are made, whether it be in national health care policy or locally in our own clinics to ensure that patients have access to high-quality, safe, equitable care.