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KAREN RAE KASTING, MD
I speak: English, Spanish
My gender: Female
This clinician requires a referral
Where I practice
About me
I was born and raised on a farm in the Central Valley in California. At the end of high school, I needed to see the world so I accepted a spot as an exchange student to Argentina. My host father was a surgeon and I fell in love with how he took care of people in a very tangible way. After my return to the USA, I went off to college at University of California, Irvine where I studied biochemistry and molecular biology. After college, I interned at the NIH doing research. Though the world of research was exciting, I found I was lacking the ability take care of people, so I pursued a career in medicine. I attended Loma Linda University School of Medicine, followed by a residency in general surgery, and a fellowship in surgical critical care. I spent the first half of my career in medicine as a trauma/critical care surgeon. Through my work in the intensive care unit, I learned a lot about the importance of caring for patients and their families during times of serious illness and decided to make palliative care a part of my practice. I took a year off and went back to fellowship in hospice and palliative medicine at University of California, Davis. Along this crazy journey, I added a husband, two kids (one of whom is neurodivergent), a dog, and a cat into the mix and we all recently relocated to the Pacific Northwest. We value our faith, deep connection with people, and embrace that life can be crazy and messy but that we can get through anything life throws at us together.
About my practice
I learned a lot about how to fix people physically as a surgeon and spent many days and nights fighting to keep people alive. With time, I realized that what patients and families often need more than a fixer is a physician who is willing to listen and walk with them through the weeds of a serious illness. I want to help with the uncomfortable parts of being ill and make sure every patient is taken care of from and emotional, social, spiritual, as well as physical standpoint. Kaiser allows me to address all those aspects in a comprehensive system and I look forward to the opportunity to partner with you in your life journey.
How I thrive
I love spending time with my family, wrestling with my boys, and being the gymnastics mom. Our family loves all kinds of games: video games, board games, card games etc. My husband and I are foodies and love to try out new tastes and experiences. We also enjoy weightlifting, and I like to row. We gain a lot of support and encouragement from our church family.Â
My office
Referral requirements
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Medical groups, locations, and plans
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan - Wa
Capitol Hill Main Building
Plans and networks accepted
- Access PPO
- Boeing HMO Network
- Core
- Elect PPO
- Medicare Advantage HMO Anchor IND Part D
- Medicare Advantage HMO Group
- Medicare Advantage HMO GRP Part D
- Medicare Advantage HMO IND Part D
- Medicare Advantage HMO Individual
- Microsoft
- Options
- Options Federal
- Providence Caregivers
- SoundChoice
- Summit PPO
- Swedish Caregivers
- Virtual Plus - Connect Network
Contact information
- Fax
- 206-326-2785
- Main Number
- 1-800-562-6300 (toll free)
- Main Number
- 206-326-3000
- TTY Washington Relay Service
- 1-800-833-6388 (toll-free TTY for the hearing/speech impaired)
My training, certifications & licensing
Medical school
Loma Linda University School of MedicineBoard certification
General Surgery
American Board of SurgeryHospice and Palliative Medicine
American Board of Internal MedicineSurgical Critical Care
American Board of SurgeryTo verify board certification for an individual practitioner, please visit the American Board of Medical Specialties, the American Medical Association, or the American Osteopathic Association websites.
Medical training
Internship
Loma Linda University School of MedicineResidency
Loma Linda University School of MedicineJoined Kaiser Permanente
2025Provider ID
153139License information
Look up this clinician’s credentials at the Washington State Department of Health website.
License information
Look up this clinician’s credentials at the Washington State Department of Health website.
National Provider Identifier (NPI)
1427255033Cultural Competency Training (CCT)
Kaiser Permanente providers complete accredited cultural competency training.My hospitals
This information is not available at this time.
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04/24/2026