After several years, PeaceHeath announces the return of neurology-based care to Sedro-Woolley’s Specialty Clinic! Laura Koehn, MD, will be available three times weekly for neurology appointments, while Kyle Sharf, DO, will provide weekly electromyography (EMG) testing.
EMG is a procedure that examines electrical signals in musculature, and is often used to aid in the diagnosis of several neurological conditions, including various types of neuropathy, nerve root pinching in a patient’s back and carpal tunnel syndrome. During the test, a small, acupuncture-size needle is inserted into different muscles, charting electrical activity and muscle fiber patterns.
“It’s kind of like being a body electrician,” says Sharf, of the procedure. “We’re going in and testing the cables, and seeing if there’s any explanation for what’s going on with a patient. If someone is noticing any persistent numbness or weakness in their extremities, this may be a test that can help us understand why.”
An examination of test results leads to Sharf determining whether a patient needs further neurological follow-up and treatment.
Why See a PeaceHealth Neurologist?
There are scores of people who visit neurologists, for conditions ranging from persistent headaches to Parkinson’s disease. Headaches, along with memory loss and other cognitive concerns, are among the leading reasons why patients see a neurologist, Koehn says.
Warning signs that someone may be developing a neurological condition include sudden onset of weakness, dizziness, numbness, headache or cognitive changes. Those immediate and severe symptoms can be medical emergencies, requiring urgent evaluation at PeaceHealth United General Medical Center’s emergency room or another hospital’s, Koehn says.
More gradual symptoms – like increasing headaches, numbness, weakness or cognitive changes – can be grounds for making an appointment with a primary care doctor, who can then issue a referral for a neurologist like Koehn.
PeaceHealth Neurology Provider Backgrounds
Originally from Arkansas, Dr. Laura Koehn has worked for PeaceHealth since 2015 in Bellingham, focusing on general neurology.
She attended medical school at the University of Virginia, subsequently completing her residency at the University of California San Francisco. After a year-long fellowship in palliative care, Koehn worked as an attending physician at UCSF for a year before moving to Bellingham. She finds great satisfaction in helping patients with neurological issues that can create great difficulty in their lives.
“I think neurologic illness particularly impacts patients in a way that is different than other disorders,” she says. “It can often affect mobility and cognition – functions that profoundly affect how we perceive ourselves.”
Koehn will see patients each Monday, Wednesday and Thursday in Sedro-Woolley, and will also be available for telemedicine appointments.
“When patients have neurologic problems, it sometimes can really affect the ease with which they can get to an appointment,” she says. “So, making it that much easier for them to be cared for will be very beneficial.”
Sharf, originally from Bellingham, attended medical school at Kansas City University of Medicine & Biosciences. He then completed his residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon, and completed a fellowship in neuromuscular medicine in 2025.
“I believe in the power of thoughtful, evidence-based medicine to solve even the most complex health challenges,” he says. “My approach is rooted in a deep commitment to my local community – treating not just conditions, but people, with compassion and clarity.”
Sharf will conduct EMG testing each Tuesday.
Keeping PeaceHealth Patients Healthy
While further expansion of neurology services in Sedro-Woolley isn’t currently planned for the short-term, both Koehn and Sharf say they’re proud to be helping Skagit County residents with their neurologic concerns.
When it comes to maintaining neurological and memory health, both recommend doing the things patients should normally do to maintain optimal health, regardless of genetic predisposition to any medical conditions.
This includes maintaining physical and cognitive exercise routines, eating well and being sure to socialize with people you care about. Consistently good sleep patterns are also important, as is addressing any hearing impairment issues when they first begin.
Overall, Koehn is excited about the care she will be able to provide local patients in 2026.
“I’m really hopeful that we will be able to see quite a few people and meet the neurology needs of the Skagit County community,” she says.
PeaceHealth’s Neurology Department is based at the Cascade Brain & Spince Center, 710 Birchwood Ave. in Bellingham. To learn more visit the PeaceHealth website, or call 360.788.6872 in Bellingham or 360.856.8810 in Sedro-Woolley.
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