Thomas K. Hirota, D.O., F.A.A.D.
Dr. Hirota enlisted in the US Air Force in 1976, starting as a Weather Specialist then becoming an Instructor at the Weather Specialist School, and then becoming a Primary Care Physician Assistant. He graduated from the USAF PA program in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma University and served as a PA in the Air Force for seven years, deciding that he wanted to be a dermatologist. After receiving his D.O. degree with honors from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and after completing a Transitional Internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center as the Outstanding Transitional Intern in 1995, he completed his Dermatology Training at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in 2000, became a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology in 2000, and has served as Chief of Dermatology at Moncrief Army Community Hospital in South Carolina, Evans Army Community Hospital in Colorado, and at Madigan Army Medical Center here in Tacoma. After retiring from 31 years of active duty, Dr. Hirota has joined Cascade Eye and Skin Centers. He specializes in medical and surgical dermatology care.
At Madigan, he has been recognized as one of the Family Medicine Teachers of The Year three times, and has been an Assistant Professor of Dermatology with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He has also served as a Senior Dermatology Provider for both of the Army's Teledermatology programs. He is a member of the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a life member of the Association of Military Dermatologists.
Dr. Hirota is a trained classical guitarist, and plays 6- and 12-string guitars as well. He is trying to learn to play mandolin, and gave up trying to learn 5-string banjo and plays a 12-string banjo instead.
June Kim, M.D.
Dr. Kim received her undergraduate degree in biology from M.I.T. She then went on to receive her medical degree at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. She completed an internal medicine internship, as well as a dermatology research fellowship at Stanford University Medical Center. A dermatology residency was completed at the University of New Mexico and complemented by an ACMS (American College of Mohs Surgery) advanced dermatologic surgery fellowship at Yale School of Medicine.
Dr. Kim joins Cascade after serving as an attending physician for the VA Connecticut Health Care System in West Haven, CT and for Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in San Jose, CA. She also served on the faculty of Yale School of Medicine, department of dermatology, as a clinical instructor.
Dr. Kim is board certified and a diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology. In addition, she is a member of the American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, American College of Mohs Surgery, and the American Medical Association. Her main areas of practice are medical and surgical dermatology with a focus in Mohs micrographic surgery.
In her free time, Dr. Kim enjoys exploring the Pacific Northwest with her husband and three young daughters.
Brenda F. Kodama, M.D
Dr. Kodama attended the University of Hawaii in Honolulu, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with high honors and was elected into the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. She continued her medical education at the University of Hawaii. After medical school, she completed a medicine internship and then served for several years as a flight surgeon in Germany for the United States Army. Dr. Kodama performed her residency training in dermatology at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Colorado. She is board certified in dermatology, and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is a member of the Washington State Medical Society, Pierce County Medical Society, and South Puget Sound Dermatology Society.
Dr. Kodama enjoys clinical and surgical dermatology as well as cosmetic and laser procedures. She serves as principal investigator conducting clinical research in dermatology.
Dr. Kodama enjoys spending time with her husband Hugh, their three children, and her pug dog named Mugsy The Pugsy. On weekends she can be found working in her garden and collaborating with fellow Master Gardener friends.
Maureen A. Mooney, M.D.
Dr. Mooney graduated summa cum laude from the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences, where she received her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She also attended medical school at the University of Minnesota. She went on to complete her dermatology residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. After her residency, she spent a couple of years in private practice in southern New Jersey. She then went on to complete first a dermatopathology fellowship and then a Mohs' micrographic surgery fellowship.
Dr. Mooney is board certified in dermatology and dermatopathology and is a member of the American College of Mohs' Micrographic Surgery and Cutaneous Oncology. Her main areas of practice are skin cancer and Mohs' surgery as well as Cosmetic Dermatology.
Dr. Mooney is a fellow of the American College of Moh's Surgery, the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, and the American Academy of Dermatology. She is also a member of many dermatologic societies.
In her spare time she takes care of her twin toddler girls.
Michael M. Nelson, M.D.
Dr. Nelson practices medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology and is accepting new patients at Cascade's clinics in Gig Harbor and University Place. He has a passion for educating his clients about conditions and evidence -based treatment options, and encourages a partnership approach for achieving the best outcomes possible.
He particularly enjoys the art and science of cosmetic dermatology, and has over ten years of experience with neurotoxins, injectable fillers, and laser treatments. He has developed a reputation for a gentle technique and producing elegant results.
Dr. Nelson's undergraduate studies were at the University of Minnesota, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree with honors and high distinction. He earned his MD degree at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and while there also participated in clinical research through the National Institutes of Health. He then completed a research fellowship and dermatology residency at Washington University in St. Louis. He has authored several articles and textbook chapters in the field of dermatology, and serves as Adjunct Assistant Professor for Pacific Northwest University College of Medicine.
Dr. Nelson is board certified in dermatology, and is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. He is also a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, Washington State Medical Association, and Pierce County Medical Society.
In his free time, Dr. Nelson enjoys exploring the outdoors by foot, boat, and kayak with his wife and son.
Susan L. Sullivan, M.D.
Dr. Sullivan earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree with honors in English and American Literature and Language from Harvard University, where she was also elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She earned her MD at Washington University in St. Louis, and then stayed on there to complete an internship in internal medicine and a residency in dermatology. A board-certified fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, she is a member of the Washington State Dermatology Association, the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society, the Pierce County Medical Society, and the Benton-Franklin County Medical Society.
Dr. Sullivan works at Cascade's Sunrise and University Place locations. Her practice focus is general medical dermatology, with an emphasis on prevention and early detection of skin cancer and management of chronic dermatologic conditions. She strives to provide thorough, patient-centered service. She joins Cascade from California, where she worked for Kaiser Permanente Modesto for four years. Prior to that, she ran a private practice in Richland, WA, for many years while raising her two sons. Dr. Sullivan has enjoyed organizing continuing medical education events in her previous practice communities.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Sullivan has passions for fitness and literacy. She enjoys a variety of athletic pursuits, including swimming, bicycling, running, weight lifting, and yoga. She is now the proud mother of two college-age sons.
Leilani R. Townsend, D.O.
Kimberly A. Wenner, M.D.
Donella S. Curcio, PA-C
Donella is a physician assistant specializing in dermatology. She grew up in Bremerton, WA. Donella received her Bachelor's Degree and swam competitively at the University of Puget Sound.In 2004, she graduated with her Master's Degree from Barry University's Physician Assistant program in North Miami Beach, Florida. She is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants.
Donella enjoys snowboarding, exercising, boating and traveling to watch her brother compete with the U.S. National Swim Team. She enjoys spending time with her husband, son and dogs.
Kieu N. Dang, PA-C
Kieu is a certified physician assistant specializing in dermatology. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine's Physician Assistant program, and she is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Prior to joining Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, P.C., she practiced dermatology at the Polyclinic in Seattle. She also has many years of experience in family medicine and oncology.
Kieu's special interests include general dermatology, dermatological surgery, and cosmetic dermatology including lasers, BOTOX®, dermal fillers, and sclerotherapy.
She is a proud member of the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society, Washington Academy of Physician Assistants, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant, and Washington State Dermatology Association.
Julie E. Jarvis, PA-C
Julie E. Jarvis graduated from Wichita State University's Physician Assistant Program with summa cum laude honors in 1997. She has specialized in dermatology since 1999. Before moving to the Pacific Northwest, she practiced in rural Kansas in women's health, family practice and emergency medicine. She is an active member of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants as well as state and national physician assistant organizations.
Julie and her husband, Wade Jarvis, are close with their two adult children. She enjoys animals and has a small hobby farm.
Andrea R. Jones, PA-C
Carolyn L. O'Brien, PA-C
Carolyn is a physician assistant specializing in dermatology. Carolyn graduated from Grand Valley State University in Michigan with a Masters Degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She is certified by the National Commision on Certification of Physician Assistants, and a member of both the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants. Carolyn previously worked in dermatology in Issaquah, Washington, and is also experienced in family practice and urgent care.
Carolyn is skilled in medical and cosmetic dermatology including Botox and dermal filler injections, as well as lasers and sclerotherapy.
Carolyn and her husband are the parents of three adult children. They enjoy kayaking and cycling throughout the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Larinda M. Ogawa, PA-C
Alison M. Pruim, PA-C
Alison is a physician assistant specializing in dermatology and dermatologic procedures. She grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, heavily active in sports, basketball and volleyball in particular. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Oregon in Eugene. She then received her physician assistant degree from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1999. After PA school she practiced in Emmen, Drenthe, the Netherlands for two years before returning to the state of Washington.
Alison is skilled in general and cosmetic dermatology and performs minor skin surgery as well as cosmetic fillers, neurotoxins, lasers and sclerotherapy. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, the Washington Association of Physician Assistants, the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society, and the Pierce County Medical Society.
Alison speaks fluent Dutch and loves living in the Pacific Northwest with all the activities available.
Suzanne M. Richardson, PA-C
Suzanne is a certified physician assistant specializing in dermatology. She graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine's Physician Assistant program in 2003, and she is certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA). Prior to joining Cascade Eye & Skin Centers, P.C., she practiced dermatology in Yakima Washington. She also has experience in family medicine.
Suzanne sees general and cosmetic dermatology patients and she performs minor skin surgery. She is a proud member of the Washington Academy of Physician Assistants, Society of Dermatology Physician Assistant, and Washington State Dermatology Association.
Suzanne enjoys spending time with her husband Wade and two children, Catey and Corbin. As a family they enjoy skiing in the winter and baseball in the summer.
David B. Sprouse, MS, PA-C
David is a dermatology physician assistant specializing in medical dermatology, excisional surgery, and tissue biopsies. David has practiced as a dermatology physician's assistant for the past three years, both in New York state and, most recently in Bend, Oregon.
David graduated magna cum laude from the physician assistant program at Jefferson College of Health Sciences in 2005. He also earned a master's degree in human nutrition and exercise physiology from Virginia Tech, in addition to a bachelor of science degree in psychology from Old Dominion University. He is a diplomate of the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants, a past member of the American College of Sports Medicine and a certified ACSM health and fitness instructor.
After being raised and educated on the East Coast, David fully enjoys the tranquil setting and beautiful mountains of the Pacific Northwest. David takes pleasure in the fresh, healthful air of the great outdoors through hiking and tennis, and also enjoys weight lifting and yoga. He is passionate about nutrition as it relates to the aging process, and devotes his energies toward promoting health and wellness in the patients he serves.