Professional Summary
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Biography
Dr. Nawal L. Atwan Johansen, MD, FACP is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Physician. She practices as a primary care internal medicine physician in Silicon Valley and the Bay Area. She received her BA from Princeton University, MD from Harvard Medical School, and Internal Medicine Residency training at Stanford Hospital and Clinics. She served on the Stanford Medical School faculty as Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine. In recognition of her excellence in patient care, she received the Stanford Health Care Faculty Recognition Award for Patient Centeredness for achieving the 99th percentile of patient satisfaction and likelihood to recommend scores.
Dr. Johansen was selected by the Stanford Department of Medicine and the Stanford Health Care Administration to be the founding Medical Director of Stanford Health Care’s Clinical Advice Services to build a clinical triage program from the ground up for the entire Stanford Health Care enterprise, serving over 100 specialties, 2000 faculty physicians and over 1 million patients.
Dr. Johansen is an experienced primary care physician focused on providing personalized, high quality care to her patients. Her expertise is in disease diagnosis and management, prevention of disease, health promotion, and advanced practices to promote long term wellness. Dr. Johansen has a private concierge medicine practice in Palo Alto, California. She is credentialed at Stanford Hospital and is a member of the Adjunct Clinical Teaching Faculty at Stanford Medical School.
Dr. Johansen was selected by the Stanford Department of Medicine and the Stanford Health Care Administration to be the founding Medical Director of Stanford Health Care’s Clinical Advice Services to build a clinical triage program from the ground up for the entire Stanford Health Care enterprise, serving over 100 specialties, 2000 faculty physicians and over 1 million patients.
Dr. Johansen is an experienced primary care physician focused on providing personalized, high quality care to her patients. Her expertise is in disease diagnosis and management, prevention of disease, health promotion, and advanced practices to promote long term wellness. Dr. Johansen has a private concierge medicine practice in Palo Alto, California. She is credentialed at Stanford Hospital and is a member of the Adjunct Clinical Teaching Faculty at Stanford Medical School.
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Professional Summary
Education & Certifications
- Residency: Stanford University Hospital -Clinical Excellence Research Center (2009) CA
- Medical Education: Harvard Medical School (2006) MA
- BA, Princeton University (2001)
- Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine (2009)
Honors & Awards
- Chair, Abstract Committee, American College of Physicians Northern California (2013-2021)
- Clinical Excellence Leadership Training, Stanford Health Care (2016-2017)
- Educational Mentor, Selected, Stanford University School of Medicine Clinical Teaching Seminar Series Honors Certificate Program (2016-2017)
- Fellow, American College of Physicians (2016-Present)
- Medical Staff Awards Ceremony, 99th Percentile Likelihood to Recommend Score Award, Stanford Health Care (2019)
- Pasteur Clinical Research Scholarship, Harvard Medical School (2003-2004)
- Senior Thesis Award, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs (2001)
- Tuberculosis Initiative Research Associate Scholarship, Princeton University Project 55 (1999)
Memberships
- Chair, American College of Physicians California Chapter Northern Region Academic Abstract Committee (2013 - 2020)
- National Faculty Presenter, American College of Physicians Board of Internal Medicine Recertification Exam Prep Review Course (2015 - 2018)
- National Workshop Presenter and Session Coordinator, Society of General Internal Medicine National Conference, Washington, DC (2017 - 2017)
- National Abstract Reviewer, American College of Physicians National Abstract Competition (2017 - 2017)
- Workshop Presenter and Session Coordinator, Society of General Internal Medicine California-Hawaii Regional Meeting, Los Angeles, CA (2015 - 2015)
- Workshop Presenter and Session Coordinator, Western Group on Educational Affairs Regional Conference, San Diego, CA (2015 - 2015)
- Editorial Review Board Member, American Board of Internal Medicine Essentials Questions (2014 - 2014)
- Co-Author and Contributor, American College of Physicians Smart Medicine Pier Review, Screening for Osteoporosis (2013 - 2013)
Administrative Appointments
- Adjunct Clinical Faculty, Stanford University School of Medicine (2021 - Present)
- Associate, Educators for CARE, Stanford University School of Medicine (2010 - Present)
- Chair, Abstract Committee, American College of Physicians Northern California Chapter (2013 - 2021)
- Committee Member, Stanford Wellbeing Committee (2013 - 2015)
- Committee Member, Stanford Physician Wellness Committee (2014 - 2021)
- Elected Representative, Stanford Committee On Residency Training and Clinical Services, Stanford University (2006 - 2009)
- Faculty Lecturer on Primary Care Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Course 313 (2009 - Present)
- Faculty Physician, Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine (2009 - 2021)
- Faculty Preceptor for Stanford Medical Students in Primary Care Clinic, Stanford University School of Medicine, Outpatient Rotation (2009 - Present)
- Faculty Preceptor for Stanford Residents, Stanford Internal Medicine Resident Clinic (2009 - Present)
- Medical Director, Stanford Hospital and Clinics Clinical Advice Service (2015 - 2021)
- Medical Staff, Stanford Health Care (2009 - Present)
- Medical Student Clinical Preceptor, Harvard Medical School (2004 - 2006)
Publications
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Measuring improvement following total hip and knee arthroplasty using patient-based measures of outcome.
Marx, R. G., Jones, E. C., Atwan, N. C., Closkey, R. F., Salvati, E. A., & Sculco, T. P. (2005). Measuring improvement following total hip and knee arthroplasty using patient-based measures of outcome. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. American Volume, 87(9), 1999–2005. -
Screening for Osteoporosis
Papaioannou, MD, A., Ferko, MSc, N., Adachi, MD, J., Watts, MD, N. B., Koehler, MD, E., & Atwan, MD, N. (2013). Screening for Osteoporosis. American College of Physicians Smart Medicine Pier Review, January. -
Effect of opioid prescribing guidelines in primary care.
Chen, J. H., Hom, J., Richman, I., Asch, S. M., Podchiyska, T., & Johansen, N. A. (2016). Effect of opioid prescribing guidelines in primary care. Medicine, 95(35).
Practice Locations
Stanford Primary Care in Los Altos Los Altos, CA
Los Altos, CA
Stanford Primary Care in Los Altos
960 N. San Antonio Road, Suite 101
Los Altos , CA 94022
Make An Appointment More Clinic Information Getting HereImportant Information about Our Organizations and Physician Affiliation
Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are each independent nonprofit organizations that are affiliated with but separate from each other and from Stanford University. The physicians who provide care at facilities operated by Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners are faculty, foundation, or community physicians who are not employees, representatives, or agents of Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri- Valley, or Stanford Medicine Partners. Stanford Health Care, Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley, and Stanford Medicine Partners do not exercise control over the care provided by such faculty, foundation, and community physicians and are not responsible for their actions.
Patient Reviews
(109 reviews)
Really good at suggesting new directions to try for a persistent troublesome issue.
Dr. Johansen is very caring.
Dr. Johansen is wonderful! I've had her for many years now, but this is the first time I met her in her Los Altos office. I feel grateful to be in her care.
Very good.
Dr. Johansen is a true PCP who does a great job coordinating care.
Dr. Johansen is always friendly, caring and listens carefully. She fully explains everything and takes copious notes on important concerns & next steps.
I feel very grateful to have such great care provider.
I always find Dr Johanson to be very considerate and willing to listen with excellent feedback.
I'm very happy to have Dr. Johansen as my family doctor. She is the best doctor I ever had.
I regard my doctor with the highest respect. She is very good and knows when to focus on a concern and how to take action, and also how to respect my wishes. Dr. Johansen.
Dr. Johansen is a very pleasant person and very helpful.
Dr. Johannsen cares about keeping me healthy. She's great at explaining WHY I need to take this or that supplement and takes my preferences into account in her recommendations.
Dr. Johansen is always very friendly and thorough in her assistants of any issue I bring up, and is equally as thorough in recommended treatment options. She is a great physician and I highly recommend.
Dr. johansen is excellent and kind.
Excellent doctor. Great listener, very knowledgeable, highly committed and responsive.
Very good follow-up and got them within 1 day via my health.
Dr. Johansen is so extremely helpful; genuine, professional and has the best bedside manner. I wish all patients were bless to have HER as their physician.
Dr Nawal Johansen is an excellent physician. she focuses & addresses my concerns, explains recommendations & treatment.
So happy to see Dr. Johansen again. It is worth the one hour drive.
superb physician. very involved. excellent communicator.
This care provider is knowledgeable about your medical history, compassionate and professional - really exceptional!
I trust Dr. Johansen.
Dr. Johansen is thorough and answers my questions & concerns. I am diagnosed with Sjorgrens Autoimmune disease and she listens to me. Dr. Johansen communicates with my other Stanford physicians - Grateful for her!
She is excellent, wish she was not moving to Los Altos.
Dr. Johansen is thorough, gives you full attention. Very pleased & happy she is my doctor. Feeling lucky indeed!
Dr. Johansen is very reassuring and permits me to participate in decisions about my care. She is open to my suggestions.
Dr.Johansen is the best internist I nave ever had.
Dr. Atwan is best PCP I ever had.
I love Dr. Johansen - she is such a good listener and considers my opinions about medications etc. with such grace and is so non-judgemental compared with some other MD's. that even tho I've moved out of the area I will continue to return to see her.
Dr. Johansen is an excellent doctor. I feel confident in her care and treatment.
Dr. Atwan is a gem. One of the FINEST dr's I have EVER had. If only Stanford (and every other hospital) could duplicate her! Excellent in every category.
Have been with Dr. Johansen for many years. Will not change to any other doctors.
I always appreciate the time and care that Dr. Johannsen spends with me to fully understand my concerns and then to thoroughly discuss possible causes and treatments. I also appreciate that she summarizes the visit with next steps and actions that make it simple and easy for me to recall what I need to do after I leave because sometimes the visit and discussion can be long and this ensures I don't forget anything I need to do.
Dr. Atwan Johansen is a very caring physician. She takes time to listen and provided great medical advise. She also always collaborated w/either health care team to provide the best care for her patients.
best doctor ever we love her
superb physician and staff
Dr. Johansen provided comprehensive knowledgeable and compassionate care at an extraordinary level.
At the end of visit she asks you to repeat instructions or changes to make sure we understand. Asks if we read the summary printout.
Dr. Johansen is the best primary doc tor I've ever had. A very good rating is not good enough to describe her care for me.
Good.
I very much appreciate how Dr. Johansen discusses her thought process and involves me in decision making.
Dr. Na2al Johansen is an incredible doctor.
Good services.
Dr. Johansen was so caring and helpful. My husband, also her patient, has recently died of tragic circumstances and she was helpful, kind, and empathetic in all ways.
Excellent doctor!!
Perfect.
Everyone in this office is so professional, concerned, great communication, but most of all, they are ALL so nice and caring. I really appreciate this......
Dr. Johansen is the best dr. ever. She is knowledgable. Very patient. Kind, caring & pleasant. She is very sweet & good above & beyond & find info & comfort to help ease your pain.
Very kind, friendly, easy to talk to
Dr . Johenson is an excellent primary physician, very knowledgeable, professional, highly recommended to my friends and family.
good
Dr. Johansen is the absolutely BEST Doctor I have ever had at Stanford.
Dr. explained some things to me that no one else had before. Was extremely helpful.
dr. jjohansen is the best doctor!!! she is very kind and understanding and is an active listener. she is pro active and shares her knowledge freely. i feel like she always gives me time to express my health concerns and than gives me very solid plans of action.
I have been seeing her for years and enjoy meeting with her.
Dr. Johansen is so professional and she has so much compaction, so worm and good heart person. I trust her and love how she take care of me. she is so gentle , she is like a good daughter.
Dr Johensen listened and explained well on all of my concerns I totally love her
Dr Johansen is an awesome professional; very kind, hears all my concerns and gives me complete answers.
I love dr. Johanson. not only do I feel she is an excellent Doctor, I feel she really listens and hears my concerns. I tend to have a holistic bent and am resistant to flue shots, immunization and excessive X-rays. she never tries to impose her beliefs. she explains everything clearly and abides with my decision, though she may disagree. I feel very comfortable with her. I live in Santa Cruz and the drive is worth it to me.
Dr Johansen has been my Provider for past five years and is an excellent top notch doctor. i have a great comfort and trust level in her care and have highly recommended her to other family members.
She's outstanding.
Dr. Johansen is a great doctor and very personable. I feel like I'm in good hands.
Dr. Johansen is very good at personal care. This makes patients like myself feel at ease & looking forward to seeing her. TOO OFTEN patients fear dr. visits & cancel appointments.
Dr. Johansen is an excellent dr.
Dr. Johansen is an excellent physician. Her thorough explanation, effective treatment, and care has established rapport and instilled my deep confidence in her. Dr. Johansen is a testament to Stanford's health care mission and vision.
Dr. Johansen is the best care provider I have ever had. She is friendly, knowledgeable, professional, ethical, caring who goes above and beyond her duties! I hope he never retires!
Dr. Atwan-Johansen is THE BEST! She always takes the time to explain & listen. I never feel rushed. She is understanding & compassionate. I always feel she is focused on me and what is best for me. I am so grateful for her as my primary provider.
I have endorsed Dr. Johanssen to several patients already. She is your perfect healer.
I am happy with my doctor.
Dr. Johansen is a very caring person.
Excellent help
Dr. Johansen is thorough and friendly and involves me in my care decisions.
Dr. Johansen is wonderful!!
Good.
Dr. Johanssen is the best MD I have had. She knows me and she is NEVER rushed. Her touch is gentle she always tells me what she is doing & why. She really care, about me!
Overall she took plenty of time and worked with me on any treatment concerns.
great experience
Dr. Johansen spent around 30 minutes with me and that was more than I expected. I shared some concerns that I have regarding my spouse's health and Dr. Johansen took some extra time to review his needs with him - and with me.
She's gotten better! I like her - she listens!!!
already recommended doctor to friends
She was amazing! Very friendly, not judgemental and really listened. Did not try to push birth control on me like every other doctor I talk to (that is so annoying!) She took the time to listen to check the burns from the night before when I spilled tea even though I was being seen for something else. She is a great doctor!
I have recommended Dr. Johansen 27 of my friends and relatives
Dr johansen is a skilled caring dr. I feel a high degree of trust in her care and advice.
I love Dr. Atwan & referred both of my kids to her as well
Dr Antwan is very knowledgeable and caring. She takes time to listen to my questions and concerns. She is excellent
She is great, that is why I drive from Sonoma to Stanford for care.
excellent
Thank you Dr. Atwan for good care
Dr. Johansen is an excellent physician. She is a credit to your health care system. Thank you!!
I've always like Dr. Johansen. She is quite personable and very good at what she does.
I really love Dr. Johansen. She makes me feel very comfortable, even when I know some issues I bring up are a bit unusual.
I (finally!) love my doctor!
Dr. Nawal Atwan is the best! She takes her time and effort to listen to me. Very super caring, pleasant and cheerful doctor.
My mother sees Dr. Nawal Atwan Johanson v lovely best Dr. i would love to refer other patients to her plus myself waiting for new year to change my insurance from Kaiser to other so i can see Dr. Nawal Atwan Johansen Rashmi Saini live in Santa Clara
Wouldn't refill my antibiotic prescription for a week till my next appointment.
She's the best! Very genuine and listens very well. Always wish things didn't feel rushed, but this is definitely not her fault. It's a busy system.
Dr. atwan Johansen is the best.
5-star. Will recommend to anyone.
When I first call for an appointment I asked for female MD & was scheduled w/Dr. Atwan - I love her so much now all of my family going to her as well.
I highly respect Dr. Atwan Johansen. And I appreciate her incredible support and understanding throughout the years she has been my primary. I will never forget a pivotal telephone call--I was in the ER and then hospital in Cabo San Lucas, in acute crisis re my kidney. Dr. Atwan/Johansen's call helped me make the correct decision to take a flight, ASAP, to LA for emergency surgery--which ended up saving my kidney. OR the time, during a routine checkup, when she was very concerned about a tiny bump behind my ear that I asked her about. She insisted that I get an ultra-sound and consult with an ENT ASAP--which I did. It turned out that she was very right to be concerned--the small bump was actually a good-sized Warthin's tumor that was already wrapped around my facial nerves and would only get worse. The ensuing superficial paratidectomy, tumor removal and reconstructive surgery was 6 hours. If it hadn't been for Dr J's concern resulting in the surgery in 2010, who knows what I would be facing at this time--possibly even a malignant Warthin's tumor!! She has ALWAYS been there for me, no matter where I am on the planet. I feel very grateful to have access to her wise counsel and care.
She is an amazing Dr.- top notch in all areas.
I really like Dr. Johansen. She is trustworthy and gives insightful care.
I've already recommended her to family and a friend in need of a physician.
Nawal is very easy to discuss issues with and provides thoughtful & helpful information. I appreciate that she keeps up to date on latest research & best practices.
The doctor appeared competent but I was expecting a more thorough exam on my first visit with her.
Dr. Atwan is A+.
Only met her once and she met my needs and my experience was pleasant.
Dr. Atwan is very concerned, kind and thorough and so friendly. We feel so fortunate to have her as our primary doctor.
I truly appreciate Dr. Atwan's care for me. Even if I don't have an appt. visit with her. Whenever I have a question or any message for her, she responds promptly. Thanks to her RN as well for always being responsive and helpful. They really make me feel very cared for.
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