Dr. Niran Al-Agba

Welcome to the Kitsap Independent Physicians Group!

INDEPENDENT MEDICAL PRACTICE IS ALIVE AND WELL IN KITSAP COUNTY. On this Fourth of July 2017, we, the undersigned independent physicians in Kitsap County, solemnly pledge that we will continue to provide the highest quality medical care to our patients through its purest, most original form — the small private medical office. We hold sacred the one to one relationships we have with our patients. Our allegiance is to you, the individual patient, is unwavering. We commit ourselves to continuing to strive to place you, our patients, at the heart of all that we do.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:50:31+00:00July 6, 2017|Categories: Physician|Tags: Independent Practice, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Autonomy|

Bronx-Lebanon Hospital: Believe Them the First Time

I remember the first time someone threatened my life as a physician. It was my day off, so I was not in the clinic that day; a Children’s Hospital specialty group was working there instead, and after a staff member called the police, she notified me. A father had walked in saying he wanted to kill me for “taking his children away from him.” Wracking my brain as to this man’s identity, I drew a blank.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:49:19+00:00July 6, 2017|Categories: Physician, Practice|Tags: Gun Violence, Injury Prevention, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Death, Physician Safety|

One Difficult Day

My dreams for this young boy from ten years ago were shattered into tiny little pieces. In my mind, at the tender age of seven, he had been a ball of clay ready to be molded into something beautiful. Instead, all hope had been extinguished from the young man who stood before me now. There was no sparkle in his eye; the devilish grin was all that remained of that innocent child I once knew.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:48:20+00:00June 27, 2017|Categories: Patient|Tags: Grief, Loss, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Mother|

The Small Giants of Healthcare

My advice for patients everywhere: Whenever possible, find an independent practice, whether a solo doctor or direct primary care clinic, and patronize that physician. Your care will be more personalized, cost less in the long run, and your health will be better for the investment you made in yourself.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:44:34+00:00June 6, 2017|Categories: Physician, Practice|Tags: ACA, Affordable Care, Direct Primary Care, DPC, Independent Practice, Patient Physician Relationship|

Inseparable: The Physician and The Mother

As physicians, we do our best to set patients up for successful futures. This instruction can begin when a person is a few days old and may continue for a lifetime. In primary care, we observe children grow into adults, finish their educations, and embark on families of their very own. The single greatest aspect of medicine for me has been to realize the impact our lasting relationships can have; something that was facilitated by being a female physician.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:24:45+00:00February 3, 2017|Categories: Patient, Physician|Tags: Parenting, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Mother|

Taking Our Seat at the Table: The Practicing Physicians of America

Physicians must stand up and be counted. Our time is now. Practicing physicians can deliver valuable insight and novel perspective on how to enact change. We must give the power to make healthcare decisions back to the patient and their doctor, rather than to the insurance and pharmaceutical industries.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-14T03:22:03+00:00January 26, 2017|Categories: Physician|Tags: Anti-MOC, Burnout, MOC, MOC Reform, Patient Physician Relationship, Physician Advocacy, Physician Autonomy, PPA ACA|

The Greatest Blessing

I often wonder who has been the greatest blessing to whom. A physician bears witness to the direct impact we have on the lives of other human beings. What a rare treasure to behold! As physicians, our journey is riddled with successes and failures. Yet, my love and dedication to this noble and rewarding profession is instantaneously revitalized when a young person wanders into my office and reminds me of a time when we overcame such insurmountable odds together.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T01:51:40+00:00January 17, 2017|Categories: Patient|Tags: Child Death, DIC, Mononucleosis, Patient Physician Relationship|

Sometimes We Are Heroes and Sometimes We Are Villains.

Every year when this child comes in for an annual check-up, I think back to the moments when I seemed like both hero and villain. This fragile infant recovered and has grown into a young man. It is important that physicians be intelligent, caring, empathetic, and work hard, but sometimes timing can make all the difference. While I do hope my future holds more days as a hero than a villain, this young man is a constant reminder for me to be grateful to those parents who place their precious children in my loving hands.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T00:55:34+00:00November 29, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Immunizations, Parenting, Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship, Pertussis, Vaccine|

At Thanksgiving, Do #OneKindAct.

Extending an olive branch is never easy, but it is necessary. Commit to do just #OneKindAct. Make it extraordinary. Make it compassionate. Make it a statement that we do not tolerate hate, bigotry, racism, violence or discrimination of any kind.

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-04T00:53:50+00:00November 22, 2016|Categories: Physician|Tags: Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship|

What are the Barriers to Healthcare?

Photo credit: Katelyn Anderson Recently, Matthew Holt published a blog post from Jess Jacobs, on the Worst Healthcare Experience of her life. His notion to redouble efforts toward changing our (continue reading →)

Niran Al-Agba2020-05-03T23:24:10+00:00October 25, 2016|Categories: Patient|Tags: Patient Advocacy, Patient Physician Relationship|