Meet Karen Wheeler

I am an obstetrician-gynecologist. I do a multitude of tasks on a daily basis including seeing patients in the office, managing inpatients, performing surgeries, and delivering babies. I am most interesting in diagnosing and treating patients with infertility which involves thinking through all of the steps of conceiving a baby and where the process could have gone wrong. I don’t necessarily use complex chemistry on a daily basis, but the problem-solving skills I learned while studying chemistry are invaluable.

I became interested in chemistry in high school because of an amazing high school teacher. I also loved reading the blurbs in the textbooks about how chemistry, and specifically biochemistry, was being used to improve medical care. I studied chemistry in college and became involved in research. I eventually figured out that I wanted to be involved in the process of bringing new discoveries to patients as a physician.

I am a long distance runner and compete in marathons and half marathons. I also love to explore the outdoors whether it’s by biking, hiking, or kayaking! Of course after all of that exercise you have to top it off with a great meal!

Follow your interests. You may not know where life will lead you, but if you follow your passion you will find a way to make a difference in the world.