Santiam Hospital & Clinics is excited to welcome Michael Matthews, MD, a dedicated family medicine physician, to our community. Dr. Matthews brings a wealth of experience, a patient-centered approach to care, and a deep commitment to building trust with those he serves.
A Lifelong Connection to Medicine
Dr. Matthews’ journey into medicine began in his rural Utah hometown, where his father worked as a family physician. Initially, Dr. Matthews wasn’t certain he’d follow in his father’s footsteps. Observing the long hours his father put in, he hesitated—until a college anatomy class sparked his interest in the medical field.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Matthews attended medical school at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, a town with a similar small-town feel to his Utah roots. It was there that he discovered his passion for family medicine.
“I fell in love with the broad spectrum of care family medicine encompasses,” he shares. “I also realized that being busy like my dad meant making a real difference—being there for people in their times of need.”
Rural Medicine Roots
Dr. Matthews has spent the last six years serving as the Chief Medical Officer at Syringa Hospital and Clinics, a small critical access hospital in Grangeville, Idaho. There, he wore many hats: seeing patients in the clinic, working in the emergency room, delivering babies, and performing emergency procedures.
“One of the things I truly appreciated was getting to know people beyond just their medical concerns. In small towns, physicians share their lives with neighbors, and that sense of community is really important to me,” Dr. Matthews explains.
A Community-Driven Vision
It was that same sense of community that drew Dr. Matthews to Santiam Hospital & Clinics.
“I love small organizations with a community-driven vision and purpose,” he says. “It allows me to engage with patients on multiple levels and be a part of their overall health journey.”
Trust and Empowerment in Care
For Dr. Matthews, building trust is at the core of his approach to patient care.
“Trust is essential in the doctor-patient relationship,” he emphasizes. “If you don’t have trust, it doesn’t matter what treatment you prescribe—it won’t happen. Establishing trust takes time and energy, but it’s the foundation for working together.”
Dr. Matthews prioritizes listening, understanding, and guiding patients as they make informed decisions about their health. “I work to empower my patients to take an active role in their care. I’m here to educate and support them every step of the way.”
Joining Sublimity Medical Clinic
Dr. Matthews is currently working in the emergency department at Santiam Hospital & Clinics and began seeing patients three days a week at the Sublimity Medical Clinic in November. He will also be on-call weekly for newborn care. With fluency in Spanish, he looks forward to serving Spanish-speaking patients as well.
Dr. Matthews and his wife, Katie, are thrilled to be closer to family in the Silverton area. Together with their four children, they enjoy outdoor activities like fishing, hiking, and skiing.
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Matthews to the Santiam Hospital & Clinics team. We are excited to have him as part of our community, and we know he will make a lasting impact on the patients he serves.
