Spokane doctor chosen as Washington State Medical Association president

A Spokane doctor has been chosen to lead the Washington State Medical Association.

Dr. Tom Schaaf was elected as president at the association’s annual meeting Sunday in Spokane. WSMA represents physicians, physician assistants, resident physicians and medical students throughout the state.

Schaaf specializes in geriatrics and hospice care. Although he lives in Spokane, he serves as the chief medical officer of Providence Home and Community Care in Tukwila and provides patient care at Providence Sound Hospice in Olympia.

Schaaf received his medical degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Medicine. He worked in private practice in California before moving to Spokane in 1992 to join Group Health Physicians. He later went to work for Providence.