Jan. 5, 2026
Member Spotlight: John Scott, MD, MSc, FIDSA
Works at: Harborview Medical Center, UW Medicine.
How long in practice: 27 years.
Specialty: Infectious diseases.
Why WSMA: WSMA's motto resonates with me: physician driven, patient focused. I first became acquainted with the WSMA through their advocacy on behalf of telemedicine legislation and saw how smart and respected they were. The WSMA staff is top notch! I’ve enjoyed their leadership courses, annual leadership conference, and efforts to promote physician wellness. The WSMA has my back and is doing what’s best for patients.
Proud moment in medicine: I started a program called Project ECHO in 2008. This telementoring program is going strong 17 years later, reaching all parts of the state and active in more than 20 different clinical areas. I was honored to receive the Warren Reed Award from the Washington State Department of Health in 2015 for this program.
Top concerns in medicine: I am concerned by the impact of Medicaid cuts and what that’s going to mean for my patients. Also, as an infectious disease physician, I am concerned by the denial of strong science behind vaccines.
Challenges ahead: AI is going to lead to some major changes in health care. As physicians, we need to be engaged in those changes, making sure that our patients are at the center of our care: protecting privacy, being transparent about AI uses, and moving toward more relational and collaborative care with our patients.
Why WSMA’s “Your Care Is at Our Core” campaign matters: There has been an erosion in trust of institutions recently, including medical professionals. Patients need to know that our #1 priority is their care and well-being.
Why I wanted to be a physician: I had a wonderful pediatrician named Dr. James I. Ball (I used to ask if we were going to see Dr. Eyeball!). He was a real Marcus Welby, MD, type of doctor. I remember him being such a kind and smart physician; I wanted to be like him.
Why my specialty: I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1980s, when HIV/AIDS was ravaging young men in the area. That devastation had a profound effect on me, leading me into research on HIV after college. I was drawn to the field of virology because of the advances in science and how you can help not just an individual but a whole population. I was fortunate to work in the NIH Laboratory of Cellular Oncology during medical school. My mentors performed the basic science that led to the development of the HPV vaccine; they were later given the Lasker Prize for Medicine. Their discovery has saved thousands of women’s lives. I also like the detective work involved in the specialty.
Leadership lessons: 1) Go to the balcony for perspective; 2) “Service leadership” – always be the first to do the grunt work and support your team; 3) Give the work away (How’s that, Ed?).
Spare time: I love to swim! My wife and I swim with the Mercer Island Redwoods masters swim team early in the morning. One of my favorite things in the summer is swimming in Lake Washington. I grew up as a competitive swimmer and have gotten back into it in the last few years. I swam at the U.S. Masters Nationals last August and placed in the top 10 in four events! I volunteer on the AV team at my church and I like to cook with my wife and listen to music.
People might not know: I was born in Kansas and own a farm there. I once had Thanksgiving dinner with Julia Child.
Pet peeves: Not saying please and thank you, honking unnecessarily while driving, lack of accountability.
This article was featured in the January/February 2026 issue of WSMA Reports, WSMA's print magazine.