More About Peter

Did you know that of all the lawyers, business owners, teachers, nurses and other professionals representing us in Olympia there is not a single MD? A shocking fact when health care expenses are the fastest growing part of Washington’s State Budget.

Meet Dr. Peter Dunbar, candidate for the Washington State Legislature District 41.

The M.D….

Dr. Dunbar has practiced medicine in Washington since 1984. In 1991 he was recruited to the University of Washington and moved his family to Mercer Island, where they still live today. He has worked at Harborview Medical Center and the Fred Hutchinson Research Center, where he took care of patients and taught residents, medical students, nurses, and paramedics.

Dr. Dunbar had only been practicing for two years when the malpractice crisis of 1986 hit…and he quickly discovered that speaking out and standing up for what you believe in could make a big difference for both his patients and his profession.

The Service…

Dr. Dunbar’s first brush with the American system of government impressed him greatly and he volunteered his time with the county medical, state specialty and eventually Washington State Medical Association. His energetic, opinionated and passionate style led to his long time involvment in WSMA and his colleagues electing him to serve as their Association President in 2006. Dr. Dunbar also worked on federal health reform issues on behalf of his Washington colleagues, specifically to keep the Medicare system solvent and maintain patients access to medical care.

Dr. Dunbar learned some very important lessons while advocating in the halls of the Capitol. His first lesson – that you do not win every battle. Next, that to accomplish change, you must stay involved and not give up. He also learned that government is slow and frustrating, and that one has to challenge the status quo to truly see change. And most importantly, he learned that the best policy for all is achieved when you work together, and put partisan politics aside.