Medicine 2026 | Faculty
Planning Committee Members’ Disclosure Statement
Drs. Dawn Dewitt, Shannon Dunn, and Francisco Velázquez; and Shelly Bonforti all report no potential conflicts of interest or affiliations with any corporate organizations.
Dr. Caitlin Allen disclosed a relationship with Glyciome, LLC within the past 24 months. This relationship has now ended and the Planning Committee determined it presents a low risk of commercial bias. She participated in planning with safeguards implemented to ensure that all educational content remains evidence-based, balanced, and free from commercial influence. Content will be reviewed by non-conflicted individuals as appropriate.
Dr. Rachel Safran disclosed she was a consultant with IMO Health and the relationship has now ended; a research investigator for Roche, receiving research funding paid to the institution and the relationship has now ended; a speaker in the Speakers Bureau for Gilead and a research investigator for Gilead, receiving research funding paid to the institution; and a research investigator for Merck, receiving research funding paid to the institution. Dr. Safran recused herself from controlling aspects of planning discussions and content related to the disclosed relationships, including topic and speaker selection and content review, and topics were identified independently using prior conference evaluations.
Savannah Marie Patterson, MD, MNeuro Sci
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center
Psychiatry Residency of Spokane
Savannah Marie Patterson, MD, MNeuro Sci has pursued her passion for teaching since her undergraduate studies. She has had the opportunity to teach everything from basic biology to advanced evolutionary biology in college, and during medical school was able to teach the pro-section course for her classmates. During residency she was able to focus on teaching as well for psychiatry co-residents, FM and IM residents, and medical students. Dr. Patterson is thrilled to be working with PRS now that she has graduated, as she will be able to devote even more of her time to education.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Patterson reports no potential conflicts of interest or affiliation with any corporate organizations.
Radica Alicic, MD, MSc, FACP
Providence Medical Research Center
Radica Alicic, MD, MSc, FACP is a practicing internist at the Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and Children's Hospital in Spokane, Washington. She serves as the Associate Director for Research at Providence Inland Northwest Washington and holds clinical appointments as a Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Washington and Associated Professor in the Department of Medical Education and Clinical Science at the Washington State University College of Medicine. Dr Alicic received her Medical and Master of Science degrees at the University of Sarajevo Medical School, Bosnia. Dr Alicic’s research interests include the design and implementation of interventions to improve screening, early recognition, and management of chronic kidney disease, diabetes, and hypertension in real-life settings. She has served as Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator on both federally funded and industry-sponsored projects and has authored over 100 publications, and 10 book chapters across these topics. Dr Alicic serves on the editorial board for the Journal of Clinical Medicine, advisory board for the journal Advances in Therapy (Springer Nature) and is a member of the National Kidney Foundations and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes kidney- and diabetes-related work groups, and Executive Council, American College of Physicians, Washington Chapter.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Alicic disclosed that she is a Consultant for Bayer and Boehringer Ingelheim, and receives research funding from Boehringer Ingelheim, Otsuka, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Eli Lilly, and AstraZeneca/ProKidney. Presentation materials will be reviewed prior to the activity by a qualified reviewer from the Planning Committee to ensure content is fair, balanced, evidence-based, and free of commercial bias, and will ensure that content is not influenced by financial relationships. Generic names will be used when appropriate, and no company logos, trade names, or promotional materials will be included in the presentation.
Caitlin Allen, MD
Faculty Internal Medicine Physician, MSCP
Caitlin Allen, MD is the founder and director of the primary care track for Internal Medicine Residency of Spokane. During her tenure she noted an increasing need for internists and primary care practitioners to be well versed in women’s health and started a highly successful specialty clinic within the residency: evaluating, treating and managing women across the adult lifespan. From routine cancer screenings, identifying high risk patients, managing perimenopause, and later life genitourinary concerns residents and students work 1:1 with Dr Allen.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Allen reports a relationship with Glyciome, LLC within the past 24 months. This relationship has now ended and the Planning Committee determined it presents a low risk of commercial bias. To ensure compliance, her content will be reviewed in advance by a designated, independent physician reviewer from the Planning Committee to confirm the content is evidence-based, scientifically valid and that no commercial bias is present.
Lauren K. Whiteside, MD, MS
Associate Professor, Department Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington
Rathmann Family Foundation Endowed Chair for Patient-Centered Clinical Education
Medical Director of the WA Telebuprenorphine Hotline
Lauren K. Whiteside, MD, MS is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Washington and practices clinically at Harborview Medical Center and the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Her work centers on improving care for people with opioid use disorder and other substance use conditions across acute care settings. Dr. Whiteside has led innovative initiatives including emergency department naloxone distribution, emergency department-initiated buprenorphine pathways, and the development of Washington's statewide telebuprenorphine hotline, which expands low-barrier access to OUD treatment. Her NIH- and federally funded research examines how to improve transitions of care, reduce overdose risk, and connect patients with substance use disorders to ongoing treatment and recovery support. She is committed to partnering across healthcare systems and communities to ensure that compassionate, patient-centered addiction care is accessible wherever patients seek help.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Whiteside reports no potential conflicts of interest or affiliation with any corporate organizations.
Samantha Mathews-Klebes, MD
Infectious Disease
Providence Medical Group, University of Washington School of Medicine
Samantha Mathews-Klebes, MD is an infectious disease doctor with the Providence Spokane Infectious Diseases group, covering multiple hospitals in Spokane and well as with the Spokane Teaching Health Clinic and educating medical residents. In addition, she also works for the University Washington School of Medicine as the co-lead for the Infections and Immunity block. When she is not busy seeing patients or teaching, she can be found outdoors, adventuring with her husband and two young boys.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Mathews-Klebes reports no potential conflicts of interest or affiliation with any corporate organizations.
Amish J. Dave, MD, MPH, FACP
Virginia Mason Medical Center
Amish J. Dave, MD, MPH, FACP is a rheumatologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health practicing in Seattle and Bainbridge Island, WA. Dr. Dave is Vice President of King County Medical Society, a board member for the Washington State Medical Association, a member of the Kitsap County Medical Society, and a delegate for Washington state for the American Medical Association. He is the immediate past co-chair of the Arthritis Foundation Great West Chapter, a board member of the Washington Chapter of the American College of Physicians Executive Council, a board member of the Washington Rheumatology Alliance, a board member of the Coalition of State Rheumatology Organizations, and a board member of Indian-American Community Services. In addition to being a full-time clinical rheumatologist and educator, he is a public health advocate and passionate about local, state, and national reform in rheumatology issues.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Dave reports that he is an attending Rheumatologist and Director of CME at Virginia Mason Medical Center. To ensure compliance, his content will be reviewed in advance by a designated, independent physician reviewer from the Planning Committee to confirm the content is evidence-based, scientifically valid and that no commercial bias is present.
Ileisa IA Oleson, MD (PGY-3)
Spokane Teaching Health Center
Ileisa IA Oleson, MD (PGY-3) is an internal medicine PGY-3 at Spokane Teaching Health Center. Her plans for after graduation is to complete the Clinical Teaching Fellowship program through Spokane Teaching Health Center.
Disclosure Statement: Dr. Oleson reports no potential conflicts of interest or affiliation with any corporate organizations.