General Info

Dr. Hirota enlisted in the US Air Force in 1976, starting as a Weather Specialist then becoming an Instructor at the Weather Specialist School, and then becoming a Primary Care Physician Assistant. He graduated from the USAF PA program in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from Oklahoma University and served as a PA in the Air Force for seven years, deciding that he wanted to be a dermatologist. After receiving his D.O. degree with honors from Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, and after completing a Transitional Internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center as the Outstanding Transitional Intern in 1995, he completed his Dermatology Training at the San Antonio Uniformed Services Health Education Consortium in 2000, became a Diplomate of the American Board of Dermatology in 2000, and has served as Chief of Dermatology at Moncrief Army Community Hospital in South Carolina, Evans Army Community Hospital in Colorado, and at Madigan Army Medical Center here in Tacoma. After retiring from 31 years of active duty, Dr. Hirota has joined Cascade Eye and Skin Centers. He specializes in medical and surgical dermatology care.At Madigan, he has been recognized as one of the Family Medicine Teachers of The Year three times, and has been an Assistant Professor of Dermatology with the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. He has also served as a Senior Dermatology Provider for both of the Army's Teledermatology programs. He is a member of the South Puget Sound Dermatology Society, a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology, and a life member of the Association of Military Dermatologists.Dr. Hirota is a trained classical guitarist, and plays 6- and 12-string guitars as well. He is trying to learn to play mandolin, and gave up trying to learn 5-string banjo and plays a 12-string banjo instead.