New cardiologist joins Cabinet Peaks Heart Center

Cabinet Peaks Medical Center is pleased to welcome Dr. Jason Okuhara to Cabinet Peaks Heart Center, where he will begin seeing patients in September. 

Dr. Okuhara brings more than 15 years of experience in cardiovascular medicine, with a career that includes both large health systems and rural and critical access hospitals.

Dr. Okuhara completed his training in Cardiovascular Diseases and Interventional Cardiology in New Jersey before practicing in the Southeast and Midwest. 

Throughout his career, he has worked in a variety of healthcare settings and has helped establish and grow cardiovascular service lines. His leadership experience includes serving as Chief of Cardiology, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory Director and Cardiac Rehabilitation Director.

After years of practicing in different healthcare environments, Dr. Okuhara said he was drawn to Cabinet Peaks because he wanted to work in a small-town setting where he could provide patients with access to cardiac care they might otherwise have to travel hours to receive.

“I have practiced in all different types of settings, from large hospital systems to small rural and critical access hospitals,” Dr. Okuhara said. “After all my experiences, I decided I wanted to work in a small-town atmosphere and offer cardiac care and treatment plans that patients would otherwise have to travel for hours to access.”

“We are extremely excited to welcome Dr. Okuhara to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center and to the Libby community,” said Tadd Greenfield, CEO of Cabinet Peaks Medical Center. “His experience in both rural healthcare and larger health systems, along with his commitment to personalized cardiac care, makes him a tremendous addition to our team. Bringing cardiology expertise to our community means our patients can receive more of the care they need locally, closer to their families and support systems. We are proud to have Dr. Okuhara join Cabinet Peaks Heart Center and look forward to the difference he will make for the people we serve.”

For Dr. Okuhara, his decision to become a cardiologist began with a deeply personal experience. When he was a child, his father suffered a heart attack and required five-vessel coronary artery bypass surgery at just 41 years old.

“I remember the emotions and tears I went through knowing that I may lose my father,” Dr. Okuhara said. “As I waited in the surgical waiting room, the cardiologist and surgeon finally came to tell me that the surgery went well and everything was going to be alright. That moment of joy and relief is impossible to completely describe in words. From that day on, I knew I wanted to be a cardiologist and give the same compassionate care to others.”

That experience continues to influence how Dr. Okuhara approaches patient care today. He believes every patient has an individual story and deserves care that takes that story into account.

“Each patient has a different story and background,” he said. “I enjoy listening to their stories, embracing any challenge and working with a team to provide appropriate quality care for them.”

Dr. Okuhara is passionate about every aspect of cardiovascular medicine, including prevention, detection and individualized treatment. 

His goal is to provide patients throughout Libby and surrounding communities with high-quality cardiac care and treatment plans tailored to their individual needs.

He describes his approach to patient care as honest, customized and personalized, with trust and honesty serving as the foundation of the provider-patient relationship.

“Prevention, detection, and individualized treatment plans are what I want to provide to the patients of Libby and surrounding communities,” Dr. Okuhara said.

Outside of medicine, Dr. Okuhara said he has a deep love of country, family and taking care of others. He enjoys the simple things in life and believes good health and happiness are among life's greatest assets.

As he begins this new chapter with Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Dr. Okuhara is looking forward to meeting his future patients and becoming part of the Northwest Montana community.

“I look forward to meeting my future patients and exploring the beautiful outdoors of Montana,” he said.

Dr. Okuhara will begin seeing patients at Cabinet Peaks Heart Center in September. His arrival expands access to cardiovascular expertise for patients in Libby and surrounding communities, helping local residents receive more of the cardiac care they need without having to travel long distances.

For more information or to learn about scheduling an appointment with Dr. Okuhara, contact Cabinet Peaks Medical Center at 406-283-7378.