Dr. James Brevig and team

I celebrated my 6th year anniversary on 8/22/09 as I mentioned on an early post, however, I neglected to stress the "key" reason that I was able to make it... Dr. James Brevig. He was my surgeon and to this day, I believe he'd had to work that Friday and all of the sudden at 4:45pm I come into the ER and if it hadn't been for the CT scan that saved my life as well, he might never have had to stay around and start enjoying his weekend. Luckily for me, he was still around and had a very long night ahead of him. Thanks to Dr. Brevig, I got a second chance at life.Also, my PA Sherri was excellent as well. Another key ingrediant to my success! Let me tell you, this is a top of the line surgeon and that team he's associated with, the Everett Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgical Associates are a dream team if you are going to require services for a heart condition at Everett General Hospital!



Meet Our Practitioners

The philosophy of our group is to remain the elite heart, lung, and esophageal surgical program in Washington and the Northwest, by being in the forefront with proven technology and skills resulting in the best patient care and outcomes.

Each surgeon continues to expand his knowledge of the latest techniques and procedures.

Please review their biographies as well as our team of highly trained physician assistants.



Alexander Frank Nieto, M.D.

Dr. Nieto is a native of Denver, Colorado. He received his under-graduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado. He did his general surgery residency at the University of Washington and then was on staff at the University of Washington. Dr. Nieto did his Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Utah and has been practicing here in Everett since 1986.

Timothy Byrnes, M.D.

Dr. Byrnes has been in practice in Everett since 1990. He graduated from Harvard University in 1978, Magna Cum Laude in Biochemical Sciences. He attended Cornell University Medical College and graduated in 1982. He did a medical internship at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and then began a five year general surgery program at Saint Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. Following that he returned to his hometown of Madison, Wisconsin where he did a Cardiothoracic Fellowship at the University of Wisconsin.

James Brevig, M.D.

Dr. Brevig is a native of New York. He graduated from Tufts University, Massachusetts, in 1982, B.S. in Biology and Philosophy, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa. He then attended Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York where he received his medical degree in 1986 followed by a five year general surgery program at St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital in New York City. In 1990 and 1991 he was Chief Resident, Department of General Surgery, St. Lukes Roosevelt Hospital. He completed his fellowship in cardiothoracic surgery at State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, New York. He joined ECTSA in 1993.



Patrick Ryan, M.D.

Dr. Ryan received his BS in Biology at the College of William and Mary in 1983. He attended Medical School at the State University of New York at Buffalo followed by a five year General Surgery Residency at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts. His Cardiothoracic surgical training was completed at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical Center. He was an Assistant Professor at State University of New York in Syracuse from 1994 to 1997. He joined ECTSA in 1997.

Kimberly E. Costas, M.D.

Dr. Costas is a native of California. She attended the University of California, Davis and graduated in 1994, B.S. in Biological Sciences. She received her general surgery degree from Georgetown School of Medicine in 1998. Upon completion of her residency at the University of Washington in 2003, she moved to Sydney, Australia for a one-year registrarship in Cardio thoracic Surgery. She completed her fellowship training in Cardio thoracic Surgery at the University of Rochester, Strong Memorial Hospital, Rochester, New York in 2006. In August of 2006 she joined ECTSA.

Omar Habib, M.D.

Dr. Habib is a native of Illinois. He received his undergraduate degree at Northwestern University and his Doctor of Medicine degree at University of Illinois. He completed his General Surgery residency at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan in 2005. His cardiothoracic training was completed in 2007 at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Habib continued his surgical training by completing an endovascular and cardiovascular fellowship at the Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. He joined ECSTA in 2008.

Karen Tooley, PA-C

Karen Tooley graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program. In addition to a firm background in general medicine, Karen’s training included rotations in general surgery and internal (geriatric) medicine. Karen is an avid bicycle tourist and beginning triathlete. Karen joined ECTSA in 2001.

Sherri Giragosian, PA-C

Sherri is a California state native. She worked as an operating room technician while pursuing an Associate Degree in Science. She completed her Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree at Fresno State University and then continued her studies and attended the University of California, Davis University Family Nurse Practitioner/Physician Assistant program. She moved to Washington in 1996 and joined ECTSA in 2001.

Kristin DeGroot, PA-C

Kristin is a native of Idaho and graduated from the University of Idaho with a BS in Biology. She attended Samuel Merritt College in California and graduated from the Physician Assistant program. Kristin joined ECTSA in 2007. She enjoys travel, skiing and fly fishing.

Martha Pao, PA-C

Martha is a native of Taiwan. Her career began as a public health nutritionist in 1991. She attended George Washington University and graduated from the Physician Assistant program in 1998. Martha worked as a physician assistant in both cardiac surgery and neurosurgery in Maryland and Washington D.C. She moved to the Everett area in 2003 and joined ECTSA in 2008. She enjoys spending time with her family.

Tiffany Yim, PA-C

Tiffany is a Washington State native and earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Portland. She graduated from the Western University of Health Sciences physician assistant program. Tiffany worked as a physician assistant in Richland, WA prior to joining ECTSA in 2008.

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