Growing up in a family of community pharmacists, Dr. Carlee Gibbons, DO, learned early the value of education, service, and empowering others to take charge of their health. Her mother ran a volunteer performing arts program at a public school on the Yakama Nation, instilling in Carlee a love for community engagement and the belief that excitement and momentum could propel young people toward their goals.
“Without mental and physical health, life’s possibilities are dulled,” Dr. Gibbons reflects.
That foundation in science and service guided her path to studying neuroscience in college, with a focus on the biochemistry of pain treatments. Quickly, she realized she wanted a career that could integrate mechanics with medicine—ultimately leading her to osteopathic medicine and a specialization in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).
“I am intellectually curious by nature,” she explains. “That curiosity kept me motivated in every course and rotation, always striving to squeeze the most knowledge and life experience out of each opportunity. Even though I had entered medicine with the intention of specializing in PM&R, I considered every specialty. I had also been advised to contemplate rehabilitation medicine diagnoses and complications on each rotation, and I therefore was entertaining the aspects of each case that were most relevant to my future specialty long before residency.”
Attending PNWU was not just a career decision—it was a chance
to train in her hometown and give back to the community that shaped her.
“It was incredibly eye-opening to go to medical school where I grew up,” she explains. “When I was considering the educational experiences I would receive at different institutions, the opportunity for that unique knowledge cinched my decision to attend PNWU.”
PNWU’s location and mission were not just convenient; they were critical. The University exists to train healthcare providers who will remain in and strengthen the health of the region, and Dr. Gibbons stands as living proof of that mission in action.
Today, Dr. Gibbons serves as a physiatrist at MultiCare Lakeview in Yakima, providing care for patients recovering from serious injuries and complex medical conditions.
Practicing in Yakima — a county federally designated since 1992 as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) and a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) across primary, dental, and mental health care — Dr. Gibbons provides specialized, high-impact care close to home for patients who might otherwise face long travels and extended wait times for treatment.
As a physiatrist, she focuses on optimizing function, minimizing complications, and educating patients about their conditions and care options.
“The most meaningful aspect of my work for me is early intervention for diagnoses such as stroke and spinal cord injury because with early intervention the best outcomes can be achieved. Another fulfilling aspect of my work is assisting with complex diagnostics on behalf of other teams including the primary care team.”
Dr. Gibbons emphasizes accessibility and education, particularly the importance of Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT). She encourages students and colleagues to use their full D.O. skillset confidently to expand patient access.
Looking back on her PNWU experience, she credits the school’s mission-driven culture as transformative.
“PNWU was driven by people who refused to be told ‘no’ despite barriers. That philosophy shapes how I practice medicine and serve my community today.”
For Dr. Gibbons, the future of healthcare in Yakima and surrounding communities is rooted in dedication, curiosity, and collaboration.
“I draw hope from knowing there are tenacious students, physicians, and faculty who wake up every day striving for more,” she says.