Our Providers

James D. Haines, MD, grew up in Michigan. He did all his medical training at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. In medical school he was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha honors medical society. He joined Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1980. Dr. Haines is now the president of the Seattle Gynecological Society and the chairperson of the obstetrics and gynecology department at Overlake Hospital Medical Center. In 2002 he was named one of Seattle’s Top Doctors by Seattle Magazine. Jim and his wife Amanda live in Kirkland. They have three college age sons. The family enjoys theater, snowboarding, climbing and scuba diving.

Ann M. Kolwitz, MD, accomplished her medical degree at Ohio State University and her residency at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Dr. Kolwitz joined Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1984. She and her daughter, Christy, live in Issaquah. She enjoys wind surfing, skiing and hiking.

Michael M. Lawler, MD, grew up in Montana and attended the University of Montana. He received his medical degree at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and completed his residency training at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. He practiced in Hamilton, Montana before associating with Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 1990. Dr. Lawler is married and has four children. He and his wife are actively involved in scouting and church related activities and their family enjoys skiing, golf and other sports.

Kristin J. Graham, MD, grew up in Minnesota. She went to Wellesley College and received her medical degree at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She did her postgraduate training, including one year in High-Risk Obstetrics, at Harvard. She practiced in Boston, Massachusetts before joining Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in January 1992. Dr. Graham is married and has two sons. She enjoys skiing, biking, hiking and running.

Jonathan I. Paley, MD, was raised in Upstate New York, graduating with Distinction from Cornell University with a degree in Psychology. He received his MD, with Honors, from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, and then completed his residency training at the Duke university Medical Center in North Carolina. Dr. Paley practiced in both Minneapolis and Seattle before joining Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in October of 2000. His wife Pamela, is a Gynecologic Oncologist and they have two children. The Paleys enjoy skiing, tennis, and a variety of other outdoor and family activities.

Katherine A. Van Kessel, MD, was raised in California and attended medical school at the University of California in San Francisco. She completed her residency training in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington in 2000 and remained on the faculty there until joining Overlake Ob/Gyn in 2003. Dr. Van Kessel is dedicated to women’s healthcare and providing a safe and comfortable environment for her patients. She believes that the key to a successful relationship with patients is to listen carefully to them and to involve them in the decision-making process. Special interests are human papilloma virus, cervical dysplasia, obstetrics and general gynecology. Dr. Van Kessel is married and has two sons, she enjoys many outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

Desiree L. Otto, MD grew up in Montana. She moved to the area in 1985 and attended Seattle Pacific University. Dr. Otto received her medical degree and residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington. After completing her training in 2001 she practiced in the greater Seattle area until joining Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in 2005. Dr. Otto enjoys golfing, boating, hiking, and spending time with her husband and two dogs.

Peggy Kibbel, ARNP, CNM, a Pacific Northwest native, has been a Registered Nurse since 1974. After working 8 years in adult intensive care, she became involved in maternity care. Peggy graduated from the Seattle Midwifery School in 1983 and received her Masters Degree in Nurse-Midwifery from Case Western Reserve University in 1989. She practiced as a CNM in Detroit, Michigan, working with the Hutzel Hospital Nurse-Midwifery Service and the Henry Ford Health Systems Midwifery Service. Peggy returned to this area in 2000 and, with the support of the obstetricians at Overlake Ob/Gyn, became the first CNM to receive privileges at Overlake Hospital Medical Center. Peggy lives in Issaquah with her husband Brad and children Spencer and Amanda, and enjoys exploring the beautiful surrounding areas during leisure time.

Erin J. Schramer, ARNP, CNM, grew up in Washington State. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Seattle University in 1999. Erin practiced as a Registered Nurse in Labor and Delivery at Group Health and at Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists before returning to school to complete her Masters Degree in Nursing with a Nurse-Midwifery specialty at Oregon Health and Science University in 2005. Erin is pleased to return to Washington State and to re-join the practice at Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She and her husband, Kevin, live in Redmond with their cat and dog. She enjoys knitting, camping, traveling and spending time with her family.

Hazel Doan-Reeh, ARNP, grew up in Canada. She became a certified Ob/Gyn Nurse Practitioner in July of 1981 in affiliation with the University of Montana. She practiced in Montana prior to moving to Washington State. Hazel joined Overlake Ob/Gyn in February of 1991. She and her husband, Roger, live in Issaquah and have five children. They enjoy traveling and visiting family.

Lisa Abel, ARNP, MSN, grew up in Upstate New York. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Keuka College and her Masters Degree in Women’s HealthCare in 1989 from the University of Rochester in New York State. Lisa practiced in New York until moving to Washington State in July of 2000. She came to Overlake Ob/Gyn in November 2001. Lisa is married and has two sons. She enjoys gardening, quilting, and outdoor activities with her family.

Cheryl Axford, ARNP, MSN, received her Masters Degree in Maternal-Child nursing in 1978 from Loma Linda University and became a Nurse Practitioner in 1999 from the University of Washington. Cheryl practiced at Overlake Reproductive Health before joining Overlake Obstetricians and Gynecologists in May of 2003. She has over 30 years of experience working with women in various stages of their lives. Her particular focus is on infertility. Cheryl lives with her teenage daughter and enjoys art, music and snow skiing.

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