Deborah Ann Kippen (nee Johnson), MD, age 71, passed away on July 1st, 2022, at home in the arms of her loving husband and partner of 51 years, Colin Kippen, after succumbing to ALS. She is survived by husband Colin; son Noah (Carissa); daughter Rachel (James), and son Sam (Joanna); grandsons Asher Kaimalu Masaki-Kippen, and Santiago Kalikoikawai Lara Kippen; her eight siblings including sisters: Cheryl (Terry) Reidy, Cathy (Kevin) Harkins, Cindy (Kerry) Hofeld, Mary (Ken) Paquin, Suzie (Matt) Johnson, Laurie, Judy (Tim) Schmid, and brother Doug (Adrian) Johnson; numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandneices, and goddaughter Jennifer Strong. She was predeceased by her loving parents, Ted and Joyce Johnson, of St. Paul, Minnesota. Dr. Kippen was the second born of nine children, was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in a joyful, loving, and large extended family. As a child, Dr. Kippen was insatiably curious, was an exceptional student, and wanted to become a doctor as early as the third grade. She attended high school at Minnehaha Academy in Minneapolis on scholarship, was a national merit scholarship finalist, class valedictorian, and member of Minnehaha's championship debate team. After graduating Minnehaha in 1968, she received a full-ride and attended Whitworth College in Spokane where she met the love of her life, Hawai'i native and Kanaka, Colin Kippen. She and Colin moved to Hawai'i and later married there in 1971 after he returned from basic training in the Hawai'i National Guard. She and Colin then worked full time and attended the University of Hawai'i to complete their college degrees.
Dr. Kippen received her Bachelors of Science with honors in Biology in 1973, moved to Washington DC in 1974, and attended Georgetown Medical School on scholarship while her husband attended graduate and law school at the University of Iowa. Dr. Kippen transferred to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 1975 and recieved her medical degree with awards in 1978. She completed her internship and residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle in 1981.
Dr. Kippen devoted her life as an internist providing medical care to adults, especially to those who were experiencing homelessness, were incarcerated, were of immigrant status, or were living in poverty. She was an internist and medical director of the Pioneer Square Health Clinic in Seattle, an internist at the Kalihi Palama Health Center on O'ahu, an internist at community clinics in Washington DC and the DC jail, and an internist at the Wai'anae Comprehensive Health Center in Kapolei. She also held short term medical positions in rural Alaska, rural Kentucky, and Moloka'i island.
Dr. Kippen was unselfish, caring, and devoted to her patients. She was a trailblazer in expanding the rights of women health care providers in the University of Washington medical system including equal opportunity for working mothers; increasing the capacity for nurse practitioners to improve patient access; and founding the first homeless medical respite program in Seattle to provide a safe and clean place for homeless patients not sick enough to require overnight care in a hospital to recover from short-term health problems, such as minor trauma, chemotherapy treatments for cancer, and newly diagnosed chronic diseases. Dr. Kippen was fearless in advocating for the needs of her patients, and identified with patients who were from low-income backgrounds like her own. She was generous and patient, was an optimistic and happy person, and was devoted to her family. She was a constant partner to her husband's life's work of seeking justice and reconciliation for Native Hawaiians, Alaska Natives, and American Indians for historical wrongs committed against them by the United States. She also loved animals and owned and cared for numerous cats, dogs, birds, rodents, and reptiles over the years. She was known for her delicious cross-cultural baked goods including black-bottom cupcakes, mango and bannana bread, macadamia nut pies, nanaimo bars, and elaborate cakes.
She is much loved and forever missed.
Private services will be held by her husband and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Dr. Kippen's honor to Seattle's Downtown Emergency Services Center, www.desc.org/donate.
Deborah Ann Kippen with husband Colin Kippen.
Photo Credit: Kyle Samperton
