“I chose medicine because I enjoy people. I’m a people person, and I like science.”

Dr. David is a lover of learning. He craves continued growth, challenges and new experiences. This passionate thread runs through his medical career and his personal pursuits. He was drawn to medicine from a very early age. When it was time to choose a discipline in medical school, it was truly a challenge because he loved almost all the disciplines.

Dr. David has been practicing medicine for 33 years, and there is no chance of him slowing down. In fact, he seems to have an endless stream of energy and ideas about how he can continue to grow as a doctor and as a person.“As a doctor, you should go full tilt or not. When you’re tired of it, you should retire. I’m keeping up with everything that happens.  I don’t think you should simply fade away.”

When Dr. David meets with a patient, it is clear that he loves his job and working with people.
“It is amazing how you can have a relationship with people even though you see them sporadically. There is usually something in the encounter that is more than mere routine and you have a chance to connect. You get to know people and see the passing of  time. I have really enjoyed that.”

Dr. David believes that EHNW provides superior medical services because of the quality of every person that works for the organization. “I truly believe the sum is greater than its constituent parts because of what we get from each other.” From the staff to the doctors, everyone has high standards and team spirit that make the organization excel.

Dr. David and colleague Dr. Prendergast, two of the founding doctors of EyeHealth Northwest, were trailblazers in providing cataract surgery on international medical mission trips.  It all began in the early 1980’s when attending a Northwest Medical Teams meeting about doctors who were fixing cleft palates.  Afterwards, Dr. David and Dr. Prendergast identified an unmet need and saw an opportunity to give. They knew that cataract surgery is an ideal procedure for a medical mission because it could offer dramatic results in improved vision with only one medical visit. Dr. David has continued to make regular medical mission trips. In the last six years he has traveled to Guatemala and worked closely with Hospital de la Familia.

Dr. David’s dedication to public service extends beyond medicine. He is a volunteer with the Bicycle Transportation Alliance, a local group. As a passionate cyclist, a typical ride for him involves a “century” or 100 mile ride. He also keeps himself limber by practicing weekly Iyengar yoga with Patty, his wife of 39 years. And his mind stays nimble from participating in a book group, Spanish lessons and guitar lessons.

DR. DAVID'S EDUCATION: