Dr. Don Peterson MD 

Dr. Donald Peterson MD

Cosmetic Surgeon Seattle | Dr Don Peterson MD

Don Peterson's philosophy on patient care is simple: a well informed patient will make the best decisions and have the highest probability of a successful outcome. His patients’ well being is always his highest priority and to maintain optimal patient satisfaction he has chosen to make a full commitment of his medical and surgical practice to cosmetic surgery.

Dr. Peterson was raised on a farm in southwestern Minnesota and was the first in his family to go to college. He set personal goals during his teenage years to go on to medical school and to ultimately specialize in cosmetic surgery. Dr. Peterson completed his undergraduate degree in Biochemisty and Molecular Biology from the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He participated in biochemisty and physiology research projects at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, University of Kuopio in Finland and Petrozavodsk State University in Russia while an undergraduate. He then earned his medical degree from the University of Minnesota prior to entering a five year residency in General Surgery at Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. Following his chief residency year, he gained his Board Certification in General Surgery through the American Board of Surgery and worked as a General Surgeon in Vancouver, Washington. In 2008 an additional year of training in Cosmetic Surgery was completed with Drs. Erik Nuveen and Nathan Miller at Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates in Oklahoma City, OK; during his year of training he participated in nearly 1,000 cosmetic procedures including facial cosmetic surgery, body contouring, and breast surgery.

His associations include the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Associate status with the American College of Surgeons, Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, and the Washington State Medical Association.  He and his wife Brandy, an oncology nurse, have a three year old son. Outside interests include biking, hiking, camping, sports, travel, and spending time with his family.

Curriculum Vitae

Specialty: Board Eligible Cosmetic Surgeon, Board Certified General Surgery

Education:

• 2008-2009 Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Cosmetic Surgery Affiliates, Dr. Erik Nuveen, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

• 2003-2007 General Surgery Residency, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

• 2002-2003 General Surgery Internship, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington

• 1998-2002 Doctor of Medicine

  • University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • University of Minnesota - Duluth School of Medicine, Duluth, Minnesota

• 1994-1997 Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota

Work and Research:

• 2008-present Cosmetic Surgeon - Cosmetic Surgical Arts Center, Lynnwood, Washington
• 2008-present Cosmetic Surgeon - Sono Bello, Bellevue, Washington
• 2007-2008 General Surgeon - The Vancouver Clinic Department of Surgery, Vancouver, Washington
• 2001-2002 Medical Student, Growth Factor Effects on Irradiated Tissue Healing Research - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• 1996-1997 Undergraduate Chemistry Tutor - University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota
• 1996-1997 Fogarty Minority International Research Training Program - University of Kuopio, Kuopio, Finland 1997, Petrozavodsk State University, Petrozavodsk, Russia
• 19961995-1997 Undergraduate Copper Dependent Enzyme Research - University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota
• 1994-1996 Undergraduate Lab Assistant - University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota

Honors and Awards:

• 1997 Chemistry Honors, University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota

• 1996-1997 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant - Copper Dependent Enzyme Research, University of Minnesota - Duluth, Duluth, Minnesota

Publications & Presentations:

• Incision options in breast augmentation. Presentation at The Art of Breast Lifting, Reduction and Augmentation American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Live Surgery Workshop: Tulsa, Oklahoma, 2008

• Rate of re-excision with breast-conserving surgery in stage I and II breast cancer patients: a retrospective study. Presentation at The 29th Annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: San Antonio, Texas, 2006

• Appendiceal polyps. Presentation at the Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons: Lake Chelan, Washington, 2005

• Hydatid cysts. Presentation at the Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons: Bend, Oregon, 2003

• Peterson, D., Prohaska J.: Evaluation of rat white blood cell and plasma peptidylglycine alpha-amidating monooxygenase activity as indicators of copper status, Nutrition Research. 1999;19:1041-47

• Rat White Blood Cell Peptidylglycine alpha-Amidating Monooxygenase Activity is not Altered by a Copper Deficient Diet. Presentation at the Thirteenth Annual Sigma XI Scientific Research Society: School of Medicine, Duluth, Minnesota, 1997 and 66th Annual Meeting of the Minnesota Academy of Science, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1997

Medical Licenses and Certifications:

• Board Certified in General Surgery, 2007-2017

• Washington State, 2007-2011

• Oregon State, 2010-2011

• Iowa State 2010-2011

• ACLS through 2011

• Board Eligible American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery, Exam Date 4/2011

Extracurricular and Associations:

• Associate Society of the American College of Surgeons: 2002 to present

• Washington State Chapter of the American College of Surgeons: 2002 to present

• Washington State Medical Association: 2007 to present

• Electronic medical records improvement committee: Legacy Hospital Salmon Creek, Vancouver WA: 2007

• Hill Library Committee, Virginia Mason Medical Center: 2003 to 2007

References:

• Available upon request

Our Practice

Patients who undergo plastic surgery can look forward to gaining self-confidence and a sense of well-being from looking, feeling and functioning at their best.  For those who wish to enhance their appearance, today's cosmetic procedures offer the opportunity to reshape physical features and improve self-esteem. Further, reconstructive surgical procedures can eliminate or minimize a wide range of physical congenital defects caused by accidents, disease and birth, helping patients to enjoy full and normal lives.  The main focus of our practice is the complete satisfaction of all of our patients. Every effort is made to ensure that our patients make well-informed choices and achieve the best results possible, all within a comfortable and confidential setting.