Denise Basilan, MD

I was born and raised in the Philippines. During medical school I trained at the largest tertiary government hospital in the country before moving to the United States for my residency training. After graduation, I served as a primary care physician for underserved patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center. I took some time off to focus on raising my three young children. Salem has been our home since 2011.

I joined Happy Doc Family Medicine in 2020 right as COVID began. I love practicing medicine here the way I have always wanted to — that is, to have the time to really listen to and get to know my patients, and have a relationship of trust and collaboration. I enjoy helping my patients by giving them the tools to make healthier choices.

I love seeing patients of all ages, which is why I chose family medicine. I have an interest in obesity medicine. I also provide gender-affirming care for transgender patients. I speak Tagalog.

I am also known as wife and mom. I have three energetic children and one energetic doggo. I am most content hanging out for family game night or movie night, reading, listening to records or traveling to the Philippines to eat the best mangoes in the world.

Education

• College: University of the Philippines, majored in psychology

  MD: University of the Philippines

  Residency in Family Medicine: University of Missouri-Columbia

  Board-Certified: American Board of Family Medicine

  Board-Certified: American Board of Obesity Medicine