Michael Van Dyke, DO, FAAP grew up on a Christmas tree farm in Chehalis, WA, one of seven siblings. He graduated from Western Washington University with a BS in Environmental Science and received his DO from Kentucky College of Osteopathic Medicine. Now living in Nine Mile Falls outside Spokane, Dr. Van Dyke is a pediatric intensivist at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital.
“I love both the variety and physiology that we see in the PICU,” says Dr. Van Dyke. “One of the most rewarding parts of my job is working with patients and parents as they navigate a very scary and difficult ICU admission.” Dr. Van Dyke serves on the WCAAP Legislative Committee and has been an active advocate to reduce firearm violence and deaths. He has testified in several hearings in Olympia and authored an op-ed in the Spokane Spokesman Review. ”WCAAP has been a valuable way for me as a young physician to become an advocate for children both at the community and state level,” he says. “It has also been a great way to network and meet other pediatricians who are working at the legislative level to improve the lives of children.”
Dr. Van Dyke and his wife have three young children. He is active in Cub Scouts – serving for two years as cub master of Pack 91 – and is a member of the Backyard Beekeepers Association. The family enjoys being active outdoors, and spend time hiking, canoeing and skiing. Dr. Van Dyke is currently learning to play the banjo, so perhaps WCAAP will get him to entertain at a future Chapter event!