Andrea Axtell, M.D. was born and raised in Pendleton, Oregon. She completed her undergraduate training at the College of Idaho. After earning a bachelor’s of science and graduating with honors, she worked as a cancer researcher at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) in Portland, Oregon. During her two years of research, Dr. Axtell co- published several articles in peer reviewed journals (see publications) and helped develop a clinical laboratory test for genetic sequencing of several cancers. Dr. Axtell enjoyed research, but chose to pursue a career in medicine so that she could work directly with patients. She subsequently earned her medical degree at OHSU and then completed an Internal Medicine residency through the Legacy Health System in Portland. After completing her training, Dr. Axtell moved back to Idaho where she spent the next ten years practicing outpatient Internal Medicine at St. Luke’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center, and in her own direct primary care clinic.
Throughout her career, Dr. Axtell has found that fee-for-service healthcare does not allow doctors the time necessary for a comprehensive evaluation of medical issues, or for patient education. Dr. Axtell believes that patients deserve time with their doctor so that they can share their story and have their medical problems thoroughly evaluated. She is looking forward to working independently again so that she can provide the quality of medical care that patients deserve. Dr. Axtell is board certified and trained to treat a wide range of medical issues of all complexities.
In her free time, Dr. Axtell loves being with her husband and two children. She enjoys running, hiking, mountain biking, and gardening.
Publications:
❖ Cruz F 3rd, Rubin BP, Wilson D, Town A, Schroeder A, Haley A, Bainbridge T, Heinrich MC, Corless CL, “Absence of BRAF and NRAS Mutations in Uveal Melanoma.” Cancer Research, September 2003.
❖ Heinrich MC, Corless CL, Duensing A, McGreevey L, Chen CJ, Joseph N, Singer S, Griffith DJ, Haley A, Town A, Demetri GD, Fletcher CD, Fletcher JA, “PDGFRA Activating Mutations in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors.” Science, January 2003.
❖ Corless CL, McGreevey L, Haley A, Town A, Heinrich MC, “KIT Mutations are Common in Incidental
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors One Centimeter of Less in Size.” American Journal of Pathology, May, 2002.