Erik Geissal

Dr. Erik Geissal became a physician after witnessing first-hand the suffering that occurs when people don’t have access to doctors or treatments. He grew up in Bangkok, Thailand, and attended high school in India. An earthquake struck while he was there and devastated the homes in the mountain villages surrounding the school. The school launched a rescue effort to help take down unsafe structures and provide medical care. The experience was so rewarding that Dr. Geissal knew from then on what he wanted to do with his life.

As an internist, Dr. Geissal believes that by listening well, doctors create a safe space that allows patients to open up about their concerns. Really hearing what people say helps doctors better empathize with patients and earn their trust. Dr. Geissal values his relationships with his patients and is honored when he is able to impact people’s lives in a positive, memorable way. His goal is not only to help people feel well, but to demonstrate that they are cared for.

Dr. Geissal has a special interest in caring for vulnerable individuals and connecting them with the resources they need to take care of their health. In addition to being board certified in internal medicine, he is also board certified in clinical informatics. He strives to influence medical technology to make it as useful to patients and providers as possible.

Dr. Geissal earned a bachelor of arts in neuroscience from Amherst College in Amherst, Massachusetts. He went on to earn a doctor of medicine with research honors from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, and served an additional year as chief resident. Before joining Vancouver Clinic he worked as a public health physician for the Clackamas County Health Department in Oregon, served as an adjunct assistant professor at Oregon Health & Science University, and was the chief medical information officer for a nonprofit health IT company.

Dr. Geissal and his wife have three children. The family enjoys growing vegetables, raising chickens, keeping honeybees, and hiking.