Olympic Medical Center last week announced the hiring of certified physician assistant Anthony Becher to its orthopedic team and Claire Edwins, advanced registered nurse practitioner, to the Olympic Medical Sleep Center provider team.

Becher joins Olympic Medical Physicians after completing a master’s of science degree in physician assistant studies, and he will see patients at the OMP Orthopaedic Clinics in Port Angeles and Sequim.

“I enjoy making a connection with people and being able to lead them to a healthier life,” Becher said. “The satisfaction of helping people achieve less pain and be able to move more freely is why I chose orthopedics.”

Originally from California, Becher received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University before earning a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from Pacific University in Hillsboro, Ore. He moved to the Olympic Peninsula not only to enjoy the scenery and outdoor activities with his family, but because he has fond memories of visiting his grandparents on the Peninsula when he was young.

“My grandparents had nothing but good things to say about Olympic Medical Center and the staff that have taken care of them over the years,” he said. “Hearing this from a patient perspective made me sure it would be a good place to work.”

As a provider, Becher said he hopes to connect with his patients and work together to find the best course of action to get them feeling better. “I spent time in a variety of different settings and with each experience and interaction I have learned to connect with people on their level,” Becher said. “I think connecting allows for trust, which is crucial in caring for people.”

Becher will provide physician support to orthopedic providers Dr. Dirk Gouge, Dr. Loren Larson and Dr. Thomas Herschmiller at OMP, as well as to the rest of the orthopedic team. He treats fractures, dislocations, joint problems and orthopedic emergencies.

For more information about orthopedics at OMC, visit olympic medical.org/orthopedics.

Edwins will see patients at the Sleep Center in Sequim as well as take consultation and follow-up appointments out of the Medical Office Building in Port Angeles.

“The importance of sleep is sometimes overlooked in our fast-paced society,” Edwins said. “My goal is to help empower patients to improve the quality of their sleep, and in turn improve the overall quality of their health.”

Edwins received an undergraduate nursing degree in her home state of Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville. She then went on to earn a master’s of science degree in nursing from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Edwins has worked as a registered nurse in various states and specialties, including infectious disease, telemetry, ICU and, in April and May of 2020, a crisis response nurse for the COVID-19 pandemic in Boston, Mass.

Edwins said she enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and exploring the natural world, which is one reason she decided to practice on the Olympic Peninsula.

“The Peninsula is such a unique area,” Edwins said. “I appreciate its natural beauty and the strength of the community that OMC serves.”

As part of the Sleep Center team, Edwins said she looks forward to making a positive impact on her patients’ lives. “It is very important to me that my patients feel heard, understood and valued as individuals,” Edwins said. “I like to work collaboratively with patients to build trust and meet their needs.”

Edwins treats sleep disorders including insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, sleep-related movement disorders and more.

With the addition of Edwins, Sleep Center patients can now make consultation and follow-up appointments at both the Sleep Center in Sequim and the Medical Office Building in Port Angeles.

For more information about the Olympic Medical Sleep Center, visit olympic medical.org/sleep.