From Fields of Grain to the Field of Medicine — The Journey to Lake Chelan Health

The first was Tyler’s mom, Angela Goeser. When he was in middle school, Angie decided to go back to school and earn her LPN. This opened Tyler’s eyes to medicine as a career option. 

The second was Ken Heck, one of his high school teachers, whose support and motivation instilled in Tyler a curiosity about science that has continued to this day. “I took every science class I could,” said Goeser. He enrolled at the University of North Dakota to pursue a degree in Biology, anticipating he would earn a nursing degree like his mother had. 

During college, Goeser worked nights and weekends as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in an Alzheimer’s Center. There he made an observation that would impact the next steps in his career path. 

“I struggled with the patients’ lack of autonomy, their lack of participation in their own healthcare,” he said. “It gnawed at me.” 

While he understood the circumstances under which these patients had a limited opportunity and decreasing ability to make decisions on their own behalf, he became passionate about combating what he described as “assumed compliance rather than choice.” 

His initial goal of nursing morphed into a desire to attend medical school. Tyler took the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test), scored very well, and applied to Medical School at the University of Kansas where he was accepted into the Salina Campus rural medicine program. 

Goeser’s decision to pursue rural medicine was influenced in part by his upbringing. “The doctor who delivered me had been our family doctor for decades,” he said. “After he retired, new doctors were always rotating in or out.” Goeser wanted to be a consistent, familiar face in healthcare. Someone who knew and worked with his patients throughout their lives.  

About the Salina Campus

The University of Kansas School of Medicine campus in Salina was created to address the critical shortage of physicians in Kansas. This innovative medical education program is aimed at students with a strong desire to practice in rural areas. 

With eight students admitted each year, the Salina campus is the smallest four-year medical education site in the country. University leaders believe it can serve as a model for the nation. 

The educational environment in Salina is as high-tech as it is intimate. Students learn with their peers on the Kansas City and Wichita campuses via interactive video and podcasts. Other training takes place in local Salina clinics, the offices of rural physicians and at the Salina Regional Health Center. 

Migrating to the Pacific Northwest

Goeser spent his residency at Sea Mar Marysville Family Medicine. While he immediately embraced the natural beauty and diverse geographic topography of Washington State, he knew his future practice would need to be far from the frenetic pace of the I-5 corridor. 

He saw a recruitment ad for a critical care hospital in rural Washington, on a large natural lake surrounded by mountains. Rather than going the “headhunter route,” Goeser’s deductive reasoning led him to believe the advertised opening was at Lake Chelan Health, so he gave the HR department a call and landed an interview. 

Dr. Goeser was as impressed by the Lake Chelan Health philosophy of patient care and dedication to community as the hospital team was with him. The Lake Chelan Valley had a new doctor. And, as it turned out, a new Nurse Clinical Coordinator as well. 

A perfect fit

Throughout medical school and residency, Dr. Goeser needed to temporarily place on hold his commitment to a doctor-patient partnership approach to healthcare. Lake Chelan Health proved to be the perfect environment to reactivate his long-held perspective. 

“Lake Chelan Health allows time, space and bandwidth to accomplish individualized patient care,” stated Dr. Goeser. “It’s rare,” he continued, “Hospital settings are often rushed and overwhelmed.” 

“At Lake Chelan Health, I have time to decide what I need to help achieve patient care goals.” Despite its rural setting, or perhaps because of it, Dr. Goeser feels empowered to provide patient-centered care, incorporating the patient’s input into decisions and recommendations.  “Patients can take ownership of their healthcare – which leads to a greater health commitment and resulting success,” he explained. 

Goeser said he was pleasantly surprised by the level of community involvement, along with the well-trained administrative, medical and support staff at Lake Chelan Health. 

“The hospital team’s pledge is to learn who you are as a person first, and as a patient second,” he said. 

Recruitment Bonus

Dr. Goeser didn’t move to the Lake Chelan Valley alone. While in residency, he met Alesa (Allie) Shellady, a girl from rural Iowa. Their connection grew as they faced the challenges of balancing school, work, and social life together. 

While Goeser is a bit uncomfortable talking about himself and his own professional success, he has no hesitancy praising the accomplishments of his partner, Allie. 

Allie is actively attending school to become a licensed ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) and FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner). She currently works as a Nurse Clinical Coordinator for Lake Chelan Health while pursuing her DNP online and in-person at Gonzaga University. Her ultimate goal is to achieve the highest level of nursing education and expertise as a Doctor of Nursing Practice. 

Allie’s current and future skills and capabilities are, and will continue to be, a tremendous healthcare asset to the Lake Chelan community. 

On the Personal Side

During the rare times that Tyler and Allie aren’t at work, they enjoy exploring the area, and are learning about the often-fickle weather patterns that impact gardening in the Lake Chelan Valley. 

Professional Bio – Dr. Tyler Goeser, MD, Primary CareStaff, Clinic Primary Care 

Dr. Goeser grew up on a farm in rural North Dakota, where he developed a strong work ethic and hands-on skills, including operating and maintaining agricultural machinery. Dr. Goeser pursued a degree in Biology at the University of North Dakota, followed by medical school at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Sea Mar Marysville Family Medicine in Marysville, Washington, and is now board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. 

In addition to providing comprehensive patient care, Dr. Goeser is passionate about staying active and enjoys officiating basketball games, reading, and engaging in discussions on current events. 

Looking for a provider? Call Lake Chelan Health Primary Care Clinic at 509-682-8511 to set an appointment with Dr. Goeser.