About
Dr. Fralich, MD FAAFP CAQSM
Dr. Laura Fralich is dual-board certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine with over a decade of clinical outpatient experience as a Sports Medicine physician, including prior service as a primary care physician and rural emergency medicine physician in the Pacific Northwest. After playing college basketball and earning a bachelor’s degree in biology, Dr. Fralich chose an unconventional path to medicine which included working in a pathology lab, serving as a firefighter, earning a master’s degree in teaching, and working as a high school teacher and basketball coach before entering medical school.
Dr. Fralich earned her medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine, then completed her Family Medicine residency in Spokane, WA and Sports Medicine fellowship at the University of Massachusetts. She has been honored as a Top Doctor in the region and recognized as a Fellow by the American Academy of Family Physicians. In addition to her clinical duties, Dr. Fralich is a high school and college team physician, served as the head team physician for the Western Hockey League’s Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club from 2019-2022, and has been a lead physician for the USA Special Olympic games, Boston Marathon, USA Gymnastics, NCAA and NJCAA Wrestling, USA Figure Skating, and the Boston Red Sox organization, as well as Bloomsday and Hoopfest. Her interest in medical education led her to become clinical faculty at the University of Washington School of Medicine and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Medical Education & Clinical Sciences at Washington State University’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, where she is also the Sports Medicine Clerkship Director. Dr. Fralich frequently teaches and mentors pre-med and medical students as well as residents and served as faculty for Spokane’s Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship for over a decade. She has authored chapters in medical texts including the 5-Minute Clinical Consult, participated on the ACGME’s national working group to develop Sports Medicine Fellowship milestone standards for training programs nationwide, and is a seasoned speaker. Dr. Fralich serves on the WIAA Sports Medicine Advisory Committee and continues to be a member of the Spokane County Medical Society after serving two terms on their Board of Trustees and creating their annual SCMS Women in Medicine conference. In addition to being the founder and co-director of the Sports Performance and Leadership Summit for high school student-athletes, Dr. Fralich also enjoys hosting the podcast What’s Right With Healthcare.
Medical School
Ross University School of Medicine
Residency
Family Medicine Spokane
Fellowship
University of Massachusetts
Board Certifications
- American Board of Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
- American Board of Family Medicine, Family Medicine
Shay Hannigan-Luther MATRN, LAT, ATC
Shay was raised in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and graduated from Lake City High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science and Spanish from Willamette University in Salem, OR and a Master of Athletic Training degree from Oregon State University. As a Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC), Shay has worked with the Washington State University track and field and cross country teams and completed an athletic training residency at The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. While in Colorado, Shay had the opportunity to work alongside world class orthopedic surgeons to treat patients and assist in the operating room. He was also a part of the medical teams for a variety of local events, including the TransRockies Run and the Vail Mountain Bike Race Series.
Our Mission
At NW Sports & Exercise Medicine, our mission is to provide exceptional, value-based, specialty medical care for patients and help them safely return to activity after injury or illness.
Our Core Values
- Integrity
- Service
- Trust
- Excellence
- Patient-centered care
What is a Sports Medicine physician?
Our Model
No. Patients do not need a referral to see Dr. Fralich.
No. Patients do not have a copay.
Yes. Dr. Fralich will see patients with and without insurance.
When considering the inflated cost of insurance premiums, high deductibles, copays, narrow networks, referral requirements, and frequent denial of coverage for services, our model can save patients time and money, even if they have insurance. Moreover, many of the less invasive non-surgical options we offer are not included in patients’ insurance plans. As a small private medical practice that does not contract with insurance companies, we can therefore offer significantly lower prices for our services. NWSEM provides the best sports and exercise medicine care in the region and we treat our patients like VIPs, with short wait times, flexible scheduling, and easy access to our team. We are interested in you and your health needs, take our time with every individual, and provide exceptional comprehensive and personalized care by listening to and examining our patients, while using the latest technology and evidence-based practices.
Direct Specialty Care provides access to transparent, lower-cost services because we do not contract with insurance companies. Insurance companies continue to raise their premiums and deductibles while often narrowing their networks, making it increasingly difficult and more expensive than ever to see a preferred physician. Additionally, insurance companies often deny recommended treatment or require patients to jump through hoops, which delays care and minimizes the doctor-patient relationship as well as patient autonomy. By allowing patients to pay NWSEM directly, the power to choose medical care is restored to patients on the foundation of the doctor-patient relationship and patient preference. We can spend more time with patients and take care of multiple issues at the same visit, so the process is easier and more economical for patients. Direct Specialty Care can even be cheaper than going to the ER or Urgent Care! We can provide documentation such as a receipt (sometimes known as a superbill) for patients if requested, and they can submit this documentation to their insurance carrier for reimbursement (patients should check with their insurance carrier to learn if this is an option in their plan).
There are no copays, hidden fees, dues, or surprise bills for services at NWSEM. Payment is due at time of service and can be paid with cash, debit card, credit card, check or HSA. We believe patients should know what they will be paying before choosing and agreeing to medical services or a procedure. Please call us for information about our services pricing.