St. Luke's is committed to ensuring our LGBTQIA+ patients and families feel welcome, respected, and comfortable discussing all aspects of their health care needs. Some of our providers have additional experience and training in caring for members of this community. These compassionate primary care providers specialize in the particular needs of our LGBTQIA+ patients, including overall health and wellness, as well as mental health care, HIV prevention, puberty blockers, and gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults and adolescents. When appropriate, these providers can provide referrals to additional health care specialists.
Kristina Brown, DO practices family medicine with special interest in women’s health, geriatrics, and osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMT). She has training and extensive experience in treating patients with general OMT, as well as the Fascial Distortion Model™. She also enjoys working with members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and offers a safe space for gender-affirming primary care.
Dr. Brown believes all medical decisions should be shared between the patient and doctor. Her goal is treatment of the whole person through preventative early screenings and lifestyle changes to prevent further progression of disease.
Dr. Brown completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Portland and medical degree at Des Moines University. After completing her residency at Providence Milwaukie Family Medicine, she worked in Oregon before moving back home to Idaho. She enjoys exploring the cities and parks with her husband, son, and dog.
Korey V. Ham, DNP, NP-C is a nurse practitioner at St. Luke's Clinic – Eastern Oregon Medical Associates. He is trained in family medicine and has interests in diabetes management, gerontology, hospice and palliative care, as well as sexual and gender minority health.
Korey earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing, and his doctorate in nursing practice, from Oregon Health and Science University. Originally from Baker City, he enjoys caring for his community.
Ashley King, MD has special interest in adolescent medicine and women’s health, with an emphasis on caring for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. She also has extensive experience caring for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. She offers a safe, gender-affirming space for transgender patients, as well as referrals for hormone therapy and specialty care, as needed.
Dr. King earned her bachelor’s degree in molecular, cellular, and developmental biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In her free time she enjoys spending time in the foothills with her family.
Kelly Pennings, DO is a board certified family physician providing full-scope primary care to patients of all ages. Her interests include prenatal and newborn care, reproductive health, and adolescent medicine. Dr. Pennings is passionate about caring for the whole family and enjoys getting to know her patients while partnering with them in their health care. She also has a special interest and training in LGBTQIA+ health care, including puberty blockers and gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults and adolescents.
Dr. Pennings is originally from Northern California, where she graduated from the University of California Santa Cruz with a bachelor's degree in health sciences. Between undergraduate and medical school, she spent three years doing HIV vaccine research at The Center for Virology and Vaccine Research through Harvard University. She attended medical school at Campbell University, where she served on the foundation board for the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians. Dr. Pennings did her residency training at the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, affiliated with the University of Washington, where she was chief resident.
In her free time, Dr. Pennings enjoys exploring Idaho with her two dogs and her husband, who is also a family physician in the Treasure Valley. She is passionate about vegetarian cooking, reading, golf, hiking and being an actively involved member of her community.
Dr. Pennings provides prenatal and newborn care, she collaborates with the on call physicians at St. Luke’s Boise, Meridian and Nampa hospitals for delivery of her patients.
Note: If you are interested in discussing gender-affirming hormone therapy for gender dysphoria, please contact our clinic to request options for timely appointments with Dr. Pennings to establish care or continue hormone therapy.
Sarah Porter, MD has professional interests ranging from nutrition and advanced reproductive care to migrant health and primary care counseling. She is skilled in and sensitive to the particular medical needs of the LGBTQ+ community, with additional training in relevant gender and sexual health issues. Dr. Porter always seeks to empower and educate her patients to partner in their health care.
Tara Whitaker, MD trained in broad spectrum family medicine. She has professional interests in women's health, adolescent medicine, family planning, sexual health, preventive care, mental health care, and care of older adults. She also has special interest and training in LGBTQIA+ health care and gender-affirming hormone therapy for adults.
Dr. Whitaker earned her bachelor's degree in comparative history of ideas with a focus on medical history and international studies from the University of Washington. While earning her medical degree she focused on underserved populations, and in 2010 was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
In her free time, Dr. Whitaker enjoys rafting, skiing, hiking, biking, and outdoor adventures of all kinds.
Note: Dr. Whitaker is currently accepting new patients for transgender medicine and hormone therapy.
Phyllis You, MD provides family medicine care, including women's health, adult medicine, and pediatrics. She also enjoys caring for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and offers gender-affirming primary care for transgender patients, with referrals for hormone therapy and specialty care, as needed.
Dr. You earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry from Vanderbilt University, and while in medical school she received the Arnold P. Gold Humanism Award. After completing her residency, she served on the faculty of the Family Medicine Residency of Idaho for six years.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.
Call us to make an appointment.