Pacific Family Medical will become Willamette Health Partners Family Medicine on May 14, 2012. Located at 966 12^th St. SE, Suite 130, in Salem, the Parkside clinic will house two primary care providers:  Dr. Michelle Rasmussen and Dr. Lara Knudsen. Rasmussen will maintain her current practice there as she joins Willamette Health Partners. Knudsen will be moving her practice from the Salem Hospital campus to the new clinic.

“I approached Salem Health last year prompted by the many changes coming in health care and see this transition as beneficial to our patients and staff,” said Rasmussen. “We’ll retain the small-office climate that allows for personable patient care.”

“We’re excited to have Michelle on board and she and Lara will make a great team,” said Robert Brannigan, vice president of Willamette Health Partners.

The Willamette Health Partners Family Medicine clinic at Parkside will feature a laboratory and easy parking. In addition, both physicians speak Spanish.

Knudsen completed her medical degree and her master’s of public health at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. She completed her family medicine residency at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wis. and has

interests in reproductive health, integrative medicine, international medicine and in meeting the health care needs of the Hispanic community. She enjoys hiking, biking, playing the banjo and spending time with her family.

Rasmussen received her medical degree at Oregon Health and Science University and completed her family medicine residency at Washington Hospital Family Medicine in Washington, Pa. She enjoys snow skiing, jogging and traveling with her family.

The Willamette Health Partners doctors provide all aspects of family medicine. In addition to the Parkside clinic, Willamette Health Partners Family Medicine has clinics in South Salem, Keizer, Dallas and Monmouth with plans to open another in West Salem in June.

Dr. Knudsen is accepting patients at the Parkside clinic and appointments can be made by calling 503-814-4400. The family medicine office accepts most health insurance plans and welcome same-day appointments. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Willamette Health Partners is a part of Salem Health which includes Salem Hospital, West Valley Hospital, the Community Health Education Center and other affiliated healthcare organizations offering quality care to people in and around Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Visit us at salemhealth.org and facebook.com/salemhealth; follow us on Twitter: @salemhealth; and view us at youtube.com/user/salemhealth.