Rivera joins Newport Health Center

NEWPORT — Karla Rivera, PA-C, joined the team of providers and physicians at Newport Health Center and is currently accepting new patients. Rivera previously worked at Providence Urgent Care in Spokane. She has been a physician assistant since 2013.

Rivera, a nine-year physician assistant, holds a Bachelor of Medical Science from Washington State University, physician assistant certification from University of Washington, and she's currently pursuing a Master in Business Administration at Gonzaga University.

Rivera moved to Pend Oreille County earlier this year in order to return to family practice and provide increased access to primary care services for local residents. She said that she likes the variety and diversity of family practice, but especially enjoys working with teens and women's health. Rivera is fluent in Spanish, and her diverse professional background also includes rural family practice, urgent care, urban family practice, and integrated behavioral health. Additionally, she is endorsed to provide medication assistant treatment (MAT) services for patients experiencing opioid use disorder.

"I like establishing relationships and connections with patients for long term care of their health," she said. "I am an encouragement coach for patients along their paths to better health."

Although she prefers summer months, Rivera is an avid fan of the outdoors. She admits that she does not own a television, and Pend Oreille County provides the best selection of outdoor recreation for her lifestyle.  In her off-time, Rivera enjoys hiking and biking, as well as winter sports like snowshoeing and snowmobiling. She has one grown daughter who is currently away at college.

Newport Hospital and Health Services is owned and operated by Pend Oreille County Public Hospital District #1, and was originally established in 1921. Located in Newport, Wash., the hospital district serves the Pend Oreille County, Wash., and West Bonner County, Idaho, communities. N

Information: newporthospitalandhealth.org