ALLERGY AND ASTHMA CENTER'S PROVIDERS
Edward M. Kerwin, MD
Edward Kerwin, MD founded Allergy and Asthma Center in 1997 and has provided allergy care to patients in Southern Oregon communities (Medford, Grants Pass, Klamath Falls, etc.) since 1993. Dr. Kerwin graduated magna cum laude in physics from Colorado College and obtained his Master's Degree at Princeton University studying history of science and renaissance history.
He worked for the US National Aeronautices and Space Administration (NASA) in Houston during 1981-84 on solar energy, technology, and space antenna projects. He completed medical school at the University of Colorado and his internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. He completed his allergy fellowship at the National Jewish Center for immunology in Denver in 1993. Dr. Kerwin has been medical director of Clinical Research Institute in Southern Oregon since 1997, conducting over 750 clinical trials of new allergy, asthma, and internal medicine medications. Dr. Kerwin has been certified in allergy, asthma and clinical immunology since 1993.
Dr. Kerwin has been a leading investigator on many clinical trials of novel asthma and allergy medications and has authored over 100 publications on COPD, allergy, asthma, and respiratory disease. He is a fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, and of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, and a member of the American Thoracic Society, the European Respiratory Society, the American College of Chest Physicians, and the History of Science Society.
Interests outside of medicine include his wife Karen and their four children, viticulture and wine growing, art and architectural history, reading literature and enjoying the beauty and cultural richness of the Rogue Valley.
Kevin W. Parks, MD
Dr. Parks joined our practice in July 2006. He graduated with honors in Spanish and Pre-medical education from Brigham Young University in 1997. He received his medical degree from the University of California at San Diego in 2001 and subsequently completed internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He received his fellowship training in allergy and immunology at Creighton University and is Board certified in both Allergy/Immunology (ABAI) and Internal Medicine (ABIM). Dr. Parks currently serves as the medical director of AAC.
Dr. Parks is a member of AOA (national medical honor society) and is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. He served as president of the Oregon Society of Allergy Asthma and Immunology (2012 - 2013), and is a member of the Jackson County Medical Society and Oregon Medical Association. Dr. Parks has been involved in both basic science and clinical research studies involving B cell maturation, asthma, allergic rhinitis, COPD, chronic urticaria, immunotherapy, and biologic agents for severe asthma.
Dr. Parks' interests outside of medicine include spending time with his wife Tracey and their 5 children, running marathons, Scouting, reffing rugby, and exploring the beautiful landscape of the State of Jefferson.
Ryan B. Israelsen, MD
Dr. Ryan Israelsen joined the Allergy and Asthma Center in 2018. Dr. Israelsen received his bachelors of science in biological engineering from Utah State University. He attended medical school at the University of Utah then was trained in Pediatrics and Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Israelsen is board certified in both pediatrics and internal medicine.
Dr. Israelsen completed fellowship training in allergy and immunology at the University of Colorado and Children’s Hospital of Colorado. In fellowship training Dr. Israelsen was involved in food allergy research, drug allergy, and was involved in numerous oral food challenges (testing for food allergies). Dr. Israelsen was also involved in the clinical care of children and adults with immunodeficiencies, autoimmune problems, and immune dysregulation.
Dr. Israelsen is a fellow of both the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and the American College of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. He has been involved in research regarding Crohn’s disease, immunodeficiency, immune dysregulation, Rituximab therapy for autoimmune diseases, and Penicillin allergy. He is the author on scientific papers for food allergy and asthma therapies and has been involved in food allergy, asthma and allergy research.
Outside of medical interests, Dr. Israelsen enjoys spending time with his wife, McKenzie, and 4 children. He also enjoys running, biking, hiking, rock climbing, good books, and chocolate chip cookies.
Joann Reed, MSN, FNP
Joann received her undergraduate nursing education from Linfield College in Portland, Oregon, and her post-graduate education from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. She is a board certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and uses her previous work experience, from both the critical care and surgical environments, to be able to deliver well-rounded care to patients.
Joann enjoys spending time with her husband Brian, and their son Mason – as they oversee a multitude of spoiled cows, cats, dogs, and turkeys on their property in Central Point. As life-long residents of the Rogue Valley, the Reed family enjoys camping, fishing, and hiking. They have a passion to travel and see the beauty of the United States, as well as extending this love of sightseeing to destinations abroad.
Tiffany Smith, PA
Tiffany Smith received her bachelor’s in Chemistry Education from the University of Utah and taught high school Chemistry for 8 years before switching gears and entering the medical field. She earned her Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies from Idaho State University in 2016. She practiced in an allergy clinic in New Mexico prior to joining the Allergy and Asthma Center of Southern Oregon in 2018.
Tiffany believes the best care occurs when patients and providers work together to develop a treatment plan, and feels communication and education are important aspects of this care. When she is not working in one of our clinics, Tiffany enjoys crafting, reading, hiking, and, most of all, spending time with her husband and two sons.