Gary H. Kato, MD
Family Medicine
Hospital Affiliations
Valley Medical Center UW Medicine
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MDVIP Annual Membership Fee
MDVIP’s annual fee covers the Wellness Program and generally can be made in quarterly, semi-annual and annual payments.
Quarterly
$450.00*
Semi-Annual
$900.00*
Annual
$1,800.00*
About Gary H. Kato, MD
My hope as your family physician is that you will feel that you are cared for with all the warmth and concern of family. I rely on wisdom from the ages. I believe that in medicine, prevention and a healthy lifestyle are key. Hippocrates wrote in 400 BC, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Treating the whole person is vital. I have learned from Proverbs that, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”
As a board‐certified family physician and educator, I believe in personalized care and, similar to concierge medicine practices, I also offer conveniences like same- or next-day appointments that start on time. Being your MDVIP-affiliated, private doctor, we will work together as a team. My focus is on primary care, but I also have interests in cardiovascular health, preventive medicine and travel medicine. I see patients throughout the Puget Sound region.
Residency
Swedish Hospital Medical Center
Seattle, WA
Family Medicine 1985-1987
Seattle, WA
Family Medicine 1985-1987
Internship
Swedish Hospital Medical Center
Seattle, WA
1984-1985
Seattle, WA
1984-1985
Medical School
University of Washington School of Medicine
Seattle, WA
Doctorate of Medicine 1984
Seattle, WA
Doctorate of Medicine 1984
Undergraduate
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Human Biology 1980
Graduated with Distinction
Stanford, CA
Bachelor of Arts, Human Biology 1980
Graduated with Distinction
Diplomate, American Board of Family Medicine
Valley Medical Center UW Medicine
English and Conversational Japanese
Preceptor, Valley Family Medicine Residency Program 1987-1991, 2019-2020
University of Washington School of Medicine
- Clinical Assistant Professor 1995-present
- Clinical Instructor 1987-1995
- Preceptor, Community Health Advancement Program 1986-1992
Board Member, Valley Physicians Organization 1996
University of Washington School of Medicine
- Clinical Assistant Professor 1995-present
- Clinical Instructor 1987-1995
- Preceptor, Community Health Advancement Program 1986-1992
Board Member, Valley Physicians Organization 1996
Best Doctors, Seattle Met Magazine 2014, 2015
Top 10 Doctors in the state, Vitals 2014
Outstanding Teacher Award, Valley Family Medicine, Family Medicine Residency 1991
Teacher Development Award (1 of 10 Physicians to receive nationwide), American Academy of Family Physicians 1988
Phi Beta Kappa (elected as a Junior 1979), Stanford University
Top 10 Doctors in the state, Vitals 2014
Outstanding Teacher Award, Valley Family Medicine, Family Medicine Residency 1991
Teacher Development Award (1 of 10 Physicians to receive nationwide), American Academy of Family Physicians 1988
Phi Beta Kappa (elected as a Junior 1979), Stanford University
Washington
Medical mission trips to Papua New Guinea, Trinidad and Thailand
Benefits of joining Dr. Kato's practice with MDVIP
MDVIP Wellness Program
Expect comprehensive screenings and tests and a custom wellness plan designed for you.
Better Doctor-Patient Relationship
97% of MDVIP members are satisfied with their relationship (vs 58% in traditional PCP).
Same/Next-Day Appointments
See Dr. Kato quickly and take your time during each appointment.
Reachable 24/7
Reach Dr. Kato by phone after-hours and on weekends.
Smaller Practice Size
MDVIP practices are smaller than most primary care practices, which means your doctor has more time to help you.
Your Dedicated Doctor
See Dr. Kato when you go to the office — not someone else like a nurse practitioner or physician assistant
Travel Benefits
If you need urgent care while traveling, your physician can help arrange your care with a local hospital, pharmacy or doctor.
Medical Centers of Excellence
For patients who need care beyond what is available locally, MDVIP can connect your doctor with specialists at some of the country’s leading medical institutions
Better Health Outcomes
Members have better control of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension.
The office of Gary H. Kato, MD
Hours
| Mon | 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Tue | 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Wed | 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Thu | 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Fri | 8:15 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Sat | Closed |
| Sun | Closed |
What our members are saying
I cannot say enough about my primary care becoming an MD/VIP. I remember when I got a voicemail from him and asked to return his call. I thought he was retiring or going on from being a part time professor at the University of Washington to a full time professor. My heart sank. I was thrilled to find that he was becoming an MD/ViP! The proof is in the pudding! My health improved so significantly…
Carol B
April 9, 2024
I cannot say enough about my primary care becoming an MD/VIP. I remember when I got a voicemail from him and asked to return his call. I thought he was retiring or going on from being a part time professor at the University of Washington to a full time professor. My heart sank. I was thrilled to find that he was becoming an MD/ViP!
The proof is in the pudding! My health improved so…
Carol B
April 9, 2024
Thirty-one years ago, in 1993 at the age of 54, I was blessed to become a patient of Dr. Gary Kato. Over the years, I had previously gone to about half dozen other general practitioners. I planned to retire in about 6 years and wanted a doctor that would help me manage my health into my later years. My daughter had heard positive reviews about Dr. Kato and suggested I see him. Well, it was the…
Emily
March 25, 2024
I was accompanying my husband to his appointments with Dr. Kato. I liked his analytical approach and personalized treatment so I became a patient of his. I was told he is the best Doctor in the state and I don't disagree I'm very blessed to have him as my doctor.
Pamela
March 11, 2024
Reviews from the web
03/14/2025
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I have been a patient of Dr. Gary Kato for many years. I have always been treated with respect by Dr. Kato as well as his Staff.
This Doctor and Office have gotten my through many large and small crises over this time. I've never given them a problem that hasn't been resolved to my satisfaction. Whatever the issue has been, I was never made that it wasn't important to them.
This Doctor and Office have gotten my through many large and small crises over this time. I've never given them a problem that hasn't been resolved to my satisfaction. Whatever the issue has been, I was never made that it wasn't important to them.
03/13/2025
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Dr. Kato demonstrates infinite patience and sincere caring. I love that he has an ongoing curiosity about supplements and doesn’t hesitate to recommend one if he feels it will enhance my current medication. I truly feel he has my best interests at heart!
03/13/2025
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Dr. Kato has been my PCP for many years. He is one of the most kind, dedicated, thorough, and compassionate doctors I’ve ever known. He always listens attentively to my concerns and never makes me feel rushed. When needed he has made referrals to excellent specialists. I really trust his opinion knowing he stays up to date with current research. Dr Kato’s staff is wonderful too.
03/02/2025
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I am so pleased to be in the care of Dr Gary Kato. MDVIP has provided him the opportunity to spend time curating my medications in a face-to-face manner with current research in mind. Dr Kato personalized my care and I am confident he does so with all those fortunate to be in his care.
03/20/2024
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Dr Kato is always thorough in his explanations, takes his time with you and is very responsive to after hours calls. Kind nurses and helpful front office staff. Have never been disappointed with his referrals. I feel very lucky to have him as my Dr!
03/16/2024
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Dr Kato and his staff are very compassionate and knowledgeable. They go above and beyond to meet my needs readily and efficiently.
02/07/2024
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Dr. Gary Kato has been our family doctor for 3 generations. Love how caring he always is, that he is constantly researching, that he mixes natural with medical science for our best outcome.
02/07/2024
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Appreciate the care and great bedside manner at my Doctors office!
02/07/2024
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He has been my doctor for 25 plus years. I have also worked in his practice for 28 years. As a nurse of 44 years, I have never experienced care like doctor Kato and his staff. They are over the top.
Wish he could be cloned!
Wish he could be cloned!
02/06/2024
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I am extremely satisfied with the care I receive from Dr. Kato and his staff. His manner is always very calm and reassuring. I have been with him for over 30 years and his consistency has always been of the highest quality. Dr. Kato has always given the best care and advice, and you never felt that you are being rushed through an appointment. I look forward to my appointments with him for all his care and encouragement.
Thank You Dr. Kato
Thank You Dr. Kato
02/06/2024
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The best doctor around!
06/18/2023
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I have had the unbelievable luck in life to call Dr. Kato my doctor since I was five. I’m now almost forty and my daughter’s doctor is also Dr. Kato. I hope I can scratch the surface of adequately attempting to put into words who Dr. Kato is as a person and as a doctor. Ultimately, if you are lucky enough to encounter someone like Dr. Kato in your lifetime, you are a better person (not to mention healthier person) because of it. Dr. Kato is simply the rarest type of human being.
Due to genetics, I’ve had some issues with my health and one that happened to be life-threatening. Dr. Kato in his eternally soft-spoken, sincere and humble manner has saved my life, restored my health, and to my amusement, always manages to conclude each appointment with invaluable quick tips on healthier living (based on his latest fact-checked research of course). There is no medical resource I trust more than Dr. Kato.
It’s readily apparent that Dr. Kato has the genius level of intellect to do and achieve absolutely anything – in the medical profession or otherwise. However, lucky for us patients, it’s equally apparent that his heartfelt calling in life is to humbly serve and to help others with their most valuable resource – health.
Over the decades that I have seen Dr. Kato, he has not changed one bit (with the exception of an always expanding encyclopedic knowledge of every area of medicine). Dr. Kato still shows up to each appointment with the energy and passion of someone starting their first day and is so thorough in examining every aspect of your health and conducting his own research (to make doubly certain that his determinations are correct) that you wonder how it’s physically or humanly possible that he has visible volumes of files of other patients he cares for equally as much. In truth, I learned from staff, that Dr. Kato has quietly sacrificed his own health (which of course he rebounded from quickly to get back to his patients) and has never spoken of the long hours he has always worked – not because it’s necessary to run his practice or make a living – but because he cares so much for other people and silently knows he can be the difference.
When I think about the type of person I hope for myself and for my daughter to eventually become, I feel so fortunate that Dr. Kato comes to mind. I hope a day will come where Dr. Kato can retire and treasure being surrounded by his own loving family without worry of who he could be helping and saving. Thank you Dr. Kato and your incredible heart of gold staff (who have stuck by you through all the years) for all you do for others.
Due to genetics, I’ve had some issues with my health and one that happened to be life-threatening. Dr. Kato in his eternally soft-spoken, sincere and humble manner has saved my life, restored my health, and to my amusement, always manages to conclude each appointment with invaluable quick tips on healthier living (based on his latest fact-checked research of course). There is no medical resource I trust more than Dr. Kato.
It’s readily apparent that Dr. Kato has the genius level of intellect to do and achieve absolutely anything – in the medical profession or otherwise. However, lucky for us patients, it’s equally apparent that his heartfelt calling in life is to humbly serve and to help others with their most valuable resource – health.
Over the decades that I have seen Dr. Kato, he has not changed one bit (with the exception of an always expanding encyclopedic knowledge of every area of medicine). Dr. Kato still shows up to each appointment with the energy and passion of someone starting their first day and is so thorough in examining every aspect of your health and conducting his own research (to make doubly certain that his determinations are correct) that you wonder how it’s physically or humanly possible that he has visible volumes of files of other patients he cares for equally as much. In truth, I learned from staff, that Dr. Kato has quietly sacrificed his own health (which of course he rebounded from quickly to get back to his patients) and has never spoken of the long hours he has always worked – not because it’s necessary to run his practice or make a living – but because he cares so much for other people and silently knows he can be the difference.
When I think about the type of person I hope for myself and for my daughter to eventually become, I feel so fortunate that Dr. Kato comes to mind. I hope a day will come where Dr. Kato can retire and treasure being surrounded by his own loving family without worry of who he could be helping and saving. Thank you Dr. Kato and your incredible heart of gold staff (who have stuck by you through all the years) for all you do for others.
02/17/2023
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I've been a patient of Dr. Kato's for over 30 years. He is a great listener, has excellent bedside manner and innovative with his treatment. Thank you for many years of great care!
02/13/2023
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Dr. Gary Kato is the best doctor one could hope to come across. He not only listens when you speak, but he hears you. He is compassionate while trying to figure out the problem. He is genuinely one of the smartest people I've ever met. He isn't one to just throw a prescription at you hoping you'll go away, or shuffle you in and out. He truly wants the best for his patients.
02/08/2023
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Dr. Kato has always listened, treated me with respect, and made referrals when necessary before he became a MDVIP doctor. He is the reason I joined MDVIP.
07/12/2022
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One of the best
03/20/2022
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Dr. Kato is the last of a dying breed-GREAT doctor with phenomenal bedside manner. He is a good listener, researches when he's unsure, and makes sure that he covers all areas pertaining to your health. He never leaves you questioning your visit.
03/17/2022
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I appreciate having a doctor I can trust. Dr. Kato keeps himself very informed about medical research and I trust him keep ahead of my health needs. His advice has always been timely and helpful, and I feel like I am cared about and respected by Dr. Kato and his entire staff.
03/03/2022
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Being ill is never enjoyable however, I always look forward to going to Cornerstone Primary Care and specifically Dr. Gary Kato whenever the need arises. He and the entire staff provide extraordinary care to their patients. The front line staff are always courteous and welcoming, the nursing staff are knowledgeable and caring and Dr. Kato is a conscientious, dedicated physician who provides a patient-first focus. He carefully listens to my concerns and is well versed in pharmacology and how medications interact and he shares that knowledge with his patients. He has an excellent bedside manner and treats all his patients with the utmost respect. I am SO fortunate to have him as my family physician. Cornerstone Primary Care Rocks!!!
02/25/2022
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Dr. Kato is an amazing doctor that is very inciteful with what I need. He always shares so much knowledge with me when I ask questions. I appreciate that so much! He is very professional and caring!
02/24/2022
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Dr. Kato has been and will continue to be our primary care physician. He is very caring and concerned for our complete medical and mental well being.
02/18/2022
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Dr. Kato & your staffs are absolutely so fantastic,
knowledgeable, professional, attentively listening, while timely care for every patients! You sure are the world class best family physician I have ever heard and seen. Moreover, I am so blessed that I have been under your care. Thank you.
knowledgeable, professional, attentively listening, while timely care for every patients! You sure are the world class best family physician I have ever heard and seen. Moreover, I am so blessed that I have been under your care. Thank you.
06/22/2020
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We have received medical care from Dr Kato and his team for 30 years. They are the finest physicians and take care to keep track of my family's health and the most recent medical findings to give us the best care.
05/30/2017
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Phenomenal doctor, good administration, and a nice office.
12/04/2013
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Wonderful wonderful medical doctor. He is very well educated on nutrition unlike many other doctors. He knows I don't rely on medication and is willing to brain storm with me outside the box to discover solutions. My children go to him and my grand children are being cared for by him. Please don't ever retire doc. :-)
Frequently Asked Questions
Doctors who operate in the MDVIP models typically see far fewer patients than traditional primary care doctors. That gives them more time to develop deeper doctor-patient relationships that can lead to better outcomes. They can also offer conveniences that most primary care doctors can’t, including same- and next-day appointments. They’re available after hours for urgent matters. And they have time to focus on prevention. That focus begins with the MDVIP Wellness Program, which patients pay for with their annual membership fee.
Most MDVIP-affiliated primary care practices accept insurance (your physician can tell you whether they accept your specific insurance plan). Your annual fee pays for preventive care medical services that insurance usually doesn’t cover (e.g., advanced diagnostic testing and screenings). Your MDVIP-affiliated physician will continue to bill your insurance and charge copays, co-insurances and deductibles as he or she currently does for other medical services like sick visits.
MDVIP makes wellness and prevention easier by providing your physician with innovative tools and technology. MDVIP supports your physician’s practice and seeks to eliminate barriers to a positive healthcare experience. Your doctor will determine whether and how to incorporate these tools at his/her discretion.
**The message above is a personal introduction from the physician, intended to help you get to know them better. The views, opinions, and statements expressed above are solely those of the physician and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of MDVIP. This content is intended for general background purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any mentions of expertise or quality of care are personal expressions and should not be interpreted as guarantees of performance or outcomes.