Who we are

Professional headshot of Dr Michael Stewart in Spokane WA

I'm Dr. Michael Stewart, founder of Northwest DPC, and I am starting this clinic because I believe the best healthcare happens when doctors and patients are free to connect without insurance companies in the middle. After years of working in large institutions, I saw firsthand how traditional systems can make care feel rushed, impersonal, or inaccessible. I opened Northwest DPC to return to what matters most: time, relationships, and truly personalized medicine.

I grew up in Lander & Ethete, Wyoming. I’m board-certified in Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP). I also hold certification as an HIV Specialist (AAHIVS) and have deep experience managing complex chronic conditions, with particular expertise in headache medicine. I’ve taught hundreds of medical students and residents as a faculty member and clinician educator at multiple regional medical schools and at an Internal Medicine Residency. I served as site director for internal medicine students and residents, and regularly lecture and teach on medical education, bedside ultrasound, evidence-based medicine, physical exam, and diagnostic reasoning.

Outside of the Clinic

Outside of medicine, I’ve always been drawn to curiosity and creativity. In college, I even helped pay my way by performing close-up magic — a reminder that wonder and human connection are often just as important as facts and figures.

These days, I recharge by hiking the Spokane trails with my wife and our dog, building something in the woodshop, or getting lost in a good book or board game with friends. Those moments keep me grounded and remind me of the same values I bring to care: presence, patience, and finding joy in solving problems together.

At Northwest DPC, that spirit of curiosity and humanity guides how I practice. Medicine here isn’t just about treating illness — it’s about listening, respecting your goals, and walking alongside you to build a healthier path forward.

Education & Credentials

  • Board Certified in Internal Medicine, ABIM

  • HIV Specialist (AAHIVS)

  • Fellow of the American College of Physicians (FACP)

  • DO, Western University of Health Sciences

  • MA, Midwestern University

  • BA, University of Wyoming

Awards

  • Washington ACP Full-time Faculty Clinician-Educator of the Year Award

    • November 2023

  • UWSOM Richard M Tucker Regional Internal Medicine Faculty Excellence in Teaching Award, Seattle, WA

    • February 2024

    • May 2025

  • Spokane Internal Medicine Resident Teacher of Medical Students of the Year Award, Spokane, WA

    • June 2021

Want to see my full qualifications?

Check out my LinkedIn or other profiles with their image links on this page.

Overall, I bring both academic rigor and the compassion of small-town care to my practice. Whether you’re here for chronic illness management, preventive care, or just need someone to really listen and evaluate your situation, you’ll find that Northwest DPC & Headache was built with you in mind.

Let’s build your healthcare around your life, not around insurance barriers and billing codes.