Commemorating 20 years in practice, Olympic Dermatology has seen an evolution of patients, providers and services since its opening in 2000. What was once a small medical office has now become a team of 21, offering multi-faceted medical and cosmetic dermatology services to South Sound patients. Over the past two decades Olympic Dermatology founder, Dr. James Brazil and his team have treated generations of patients, establishing a one-stop-shop for dermatology in Thurston County.
“The practice itself has been successful beyond what I could have ever imagined back when I came out of residency,” says Brazil. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve been able to hire people who have helped me achieve goals. People like my nurses, my practice administrators, my physician assistants. I’ve been really lucky to get hardworking, intelligent people who work well in a medical setting and have made my job so much easier.”
For Brazil, opening a dermatology practice in Olympia has provided both robust career opportunities and a close-knit community to raise his family. After attending medical school in Oregon and completing his dermatology residency in Southern California, Brazil moved to Olympia in 1991. For nine years, Brazil practiced dermatology at a local multispecialty medical group before founding Olympic Dermatology in 2000. Brazil designed the practice to best fit his medical interests while also providing a wide range of dermatology services for patients.
“It’s really fun to offer so many services,” says Brazil. “And what I really like about my field and the way I built this office, is I can provide medical services, surgical services, pathology services and cosmetic services. I can do all these things, which makes my day very creative. And we offer a lot to our patients, more than most dermatology practices can.”
Over the years, the Olympic Dermatology team has expanded to include Physician Assistants, Lawrence Robinson, Suzanne Magann and Emma Heidbreder, who work with Brazil to provide diagnosis and treatment for medical concerns like acne, psoriasis and eczema, in addition to surgical services like scar revision and mole removal. Olympic Dermatology also provides skin cancer management, including treatment for pre-cancerous lesions and cancerous growths.
In addition, Olympic Dermatology offers a robust menu of cosmetic dermatology services provided by Registered Nurse, Sharon Olson, Licensed Practical Nurse Lin Watkins, and Master Esthetician Lindsay Deskins. Olson, Watkins and Deskins have a combined total of 50 years of experience practicing at Olympic Dermatology. And their cosmetic services include facial treatments, chemical peels, laser hair removal, laser rejuvenation, and resurfacing and injectable treatments.
Olympic dermatology’s team of providers and support staff have allowed for not only a wider menu of services, but also more reasonable waiting times to book an appointment. Brazil says it takes teamwork to provide such a wide spectrum of services.
Celebrating 20 Years
For Olympic Dermatology staff, commemorating 20 years in practice, will remain a smaller affair this year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to intra-office celebrations, Olympic Dermatology is offering anniversary specials for certain cosmetic services. Brazil says he hopes to host a larger event next summer to celebrate 21 years in practice.
Reflecting on the practice’s 20-year anniversary, Brazil wants to celebrate Olympic Dermatology patients most of all. After practicing dermatology in Olympia for almost three decades, Brazil says he has treated multiple generations of patients and they have been a highlight of his career. Patients who were first pediatric age are now bringing their own children to Olympic Dermatology for care, and for Brazil, these full circle moments have instilled in him a great sense of community.
“Over the years, the patients here have been great,” says Brazil. “I practiced in Los Angeles when I was a resident. People there are nice, but it’s a huge, sort of anonymous city. Seeing patients from Olympia, Thurston County and surrounding counties, I have been so happy with the people who come here. They’ve been both respectful, but also engaging. They have been good patients in terms of following recommendations. It’s been a great 20 years here in practice and 30 years overall.”
Looking ahead, Brazil plans to further expand his practice by hiring a second physician. By early 2021, Brazil hopes a second doctor on staff can help provide additional supervision and opportunities to see more patients. And although Brazil has no plans to step back anytime soon, he hopes a new physician on the Olympic Dermatology team can be a transition into the future.
To learn more about Olympic Dermatology services and providers, visit the Olympic Dermatology website.
Olympic Dermatology
424 Lilly Road NE Olympia
360-459-1700
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The past five months have really tested our mettle. We have been forced, both individually and as a society, to adapt in ways we had never expected. Organizations like Senior Services for South Sound have innovated as well, creating clever new ways to continue to connect with those they serve, and the results have been nothing short of impressive.
If there’s one thing we have during this pandemic that our ancestors did not, it’s robust digital technology. And though we are physically apart, the use of technology allows us to continue to stay connected. Senior Services for South Sound has adapted much of their formerly in-person offerings to our now primarily virtual world. “It’s so important for us to connect with each other, and fortunately we have Zoom,” says Chris Quimby, senior centers director. “Zoom is the closest thing to meeting your group of friends that you’re used to seeing in-person.”
To adapt to this new form of face-to-face interaction, and meet the needs of their audience, Senior Services has created a Virtual Senior Academy where lifelong learning continues over Zoom. Participants may register for classes via phone. With many well-known returning faculty and a wide range of topics, there is a class and time for everyone!
Most classes are fee-based, (scholarships are available), but this quarter, Become A Community Oral Historian, taught by Elaine Vradenburgh, in collaboration with Window Seat Media is being offered free-of-charge thanks to a grant the oral history and storytelling organization has earned.
Other courses such as Nutrition for Life, Travel Writing As Memoir and Essay, and Election 2020 Political Roundtable are available, with complete course descriptions and additional offerings on the Lifelong Learning Virtual Offerings page on the Senior Services website.
“What we are trying to do is resemble normalcy as best we can, Quimby says, “and break that isolation that is so unhealthy for all of us, but particularly for seniors.”
Senior Services has also created a weekly Virtual Senior Cafe. Every Monday at 10:00 a.m. seniors can meet over Zoom for a primarily social visit, sometimes including a certain topic, speaker or other activity. Senior Services is also looking at adding a second day in the week to meet virtually as well.
Getting started “Zooming” can sometimes be a little intimidating at first, but Sara Thiessen, education coordinator, is available via phone or email to help troubleshoot. “Depending on the situation, I may refer them to SeniorPlanet,” she says, which is an amazing resource for seniors where they can access a national helpline (920-666-1959) to get answers to their technology questions.
Visit Senior Services for South Sound’s website to explore all that they have to offer, including free Chair Yoga, Zumba Gold, Virtual Speaker Series, and much more, or call them at 360-586-6181.
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The novel coronavirus pandemic won’t be cooling down the annual Hatch Chiles Roastings at Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway. This tradition has been alive and well for over five years and the team at Stormans is as excited as ever.
The Roast is On
Hatch chile fans have four opportunities to see the roasters in action at Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway. From 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. stop by Ralph’s on August 21 or September 4, or at Bayview on August 28 or September 11, to pick up as many pounds of fresh roasted Hatch chiles as your heart desires while supplies last. “We have customers that put them on everything,” says Nate Conat, produce manager at both Stormans locations. “One customer gets 100 pounds of extra hot chiles every year and freezes them because he uses them in so much of his cooking. I do a special order for him.” Nate says he’s bringing in about 5,600 pounds of these wildly popular peppers this year.
What does one do with a roasted hatch chile? Chop it up and put it in eggs, on pizza, in macaroni and cheese, or on a burger. Make your own salsa or hot sauce. The possibilities are endless. These peppers come right from Hatch, New Mexico, and people who like them can’t seem to get enough. They look a lot like an Anaheim pepper, but with a more distinct flavor that evolves particularly well when roasted. “We even take Anaheim peppers off the shelf during Hatch season, just so there’s no possibility of a mix up,” Nate explains.
The chiles are also popular because they are harvested and delivered in distinct heat categories, so folks can choose the intensity that’s right for them without losing out on the pepper’s delicious flavor profile. “We start the roasting day with two to three cases of mild peppers, then move to the medium, then the hot,” Nate explains. “We finish out the day with the extra hot.”
Departments across the stores get involved with Hatch season. In the meat department, they’ll be pre-making burgers and bratwurst loaded with fresh Hatch chiles. In the deli, they’ll be preparing special salads and side dishes using the fresh chiles as well.
Pick up a tub, a box or a pallet of fresh roasted Hatch chiles for $3.99 per pound. You can also pre-order online at olythriftway.com. Rest assured Stormans is taking all necessary precautions, including face coverings, gloves and a socially distant pick up system.
New Beer Alert
Listen up, beer lovers! Adding to this year’s Hatch hype is the arrival of some new brews in the Thurston County. Rob Backman, manager of beer, wine and spirits at Ralph’s, is thrilled to be unveiling offerings from a fairly new Seattle-based beer maker called Old Stove Brewing Company. Based in Pike Place Market, Old Stove hadn’t canned their beers for distribution outside of Seattle proper until now.
“With our recent pivot to packaged cans due to the pandemic, we are now able to reach a wider audience and let them know about our products,” explains Brian Stan, co-founder of Old Stove. “We hope that new fans will pay our craft brewery a visit the next time they are in the Pike Place Market.”
“We’ll be featuring a pilsner and a summer ale alongside the Hatch Chiles Roasting,” Rob says. “These are fantastic summer beers that will really complement the heat of the chiles in just about any dish.” Pick up a 6 pack of either variety in 12-ounce cans, or a 6 pack of their blackberry sour. You’ll also find 16-ounce cans of a hazy IPA and a double IPA in 4 packs at either Ralph’s or Bayview.
Don’t Forget the Wine
Not everyone likes beer and that’s okay. That’s why Ralph’s and Bayview stock a great selection of local wines as well. Finn Hill Winery, based in Woodinville, is a local favorite regularly featured on special at Ralph’s only. Their most popular summer varieties, fully stocked at both Stormans locations during the roasting event, are Le Fantome Blanc, a 2018 Pinot Gris that pairs well with summertime favorites like shellfish and crab cakes. “It’s fruity but dry but it goes really well with all kinds of different dishes,” says Rob Entrekin, founder of Finn Hill Winery.
Finn Hill’s 2018 Blondie Rosé is also not to be missed, particularly paired with the heat of a Hatch chile dish. Year-round red wine fans can look for Le Beau, a 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon that complements steaks on the grill or a 2013 Merveille Merlot, which pairs exquisitely with any number of savory dishes, from pizza to burgers to herb roasted chicken (or how about a batch of Hatch enchiladas?).
Stormans Loves Local
“We understand that 2020 has been a hard year for local producers of all kinds,” says Rob. “I feel confident that we can pull through this if we keep supporting one another. Local will keep the lights on.” Rob hopes to be able to do more events like the Hatch Chiles Roast to bring local producers together and amp up brand visibility.
Mark your calendars for the next four Fridays! That’s August 21 and September 4 at Ralph’s, and August 28 and September 11 at Bayview. Don’t miss the Ralph’s and Bayview Thriftway 2020 Hatch chile roast.
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