Hillary Underwood, PA grew up in the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont, in the small college town of Middlebury.  She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Animal Science in 1980, at the University of Kentucky, specializing in reproductive physiology, and then worked for the next 15 years with specialists in reproduction and veterinary sciences.

Prior to attending her Physician Assistant program, Ms. Underwood worked with anesthesiology residents at a Level I Trauma center.  With this experience, she was accepted at the College of Allied Health, University of Kentucky. Her Physician Assistant degree was awarded in 1995. She was selected as a transfer student to study abroad in England, where she completed two clinical rotations in Wolverhampton; the rest were in rural Appalachia, and the VA/UK Medical Center in Lexington, KY.

Her initial work was focused in surgery, working with cardiothoracic, and vascular groups in Lexington, KY, and Greensboro, NC.  Still interested in the heart as a specialty, she later moved into cardiology, working with a large group based out of Charlotte, NC. Since that time, she has worked in internal medicine, rural healthcare, as a hospitalist, and in family practice, mainly in underserved areas of the country.

Ms. Underwood has held positions as Assistant Faculty and Preceptor, for students in Physician Assistant programs in New Mexico and Associate Faculty for the University of New Mexico at remote critical access sites in Northern New Mexico.

Her medical interests include cardiology, pulmonology, critical care, and integrative medicine. She is a member of the Washington Association of Physician Assistants and the Oregon Society of Physician Assistants. What is most meaningful to Ms. Underwood is helping patients where they are in their health journey and seeking real improvement in their quality of life and activity.

Her time away from work is spent with pets, friends, and family.  She enjoys equestrian sports, spending time outdoors in the beautiful Northwest, art, theatre, cooking, learning more about nutrition, and alternative methods of healing.