Kara’s Journey in Medicine
Kara has worn many hats throughout her career in the medical field. She began as a Critical Care and Surgery nurse and later transitioned into Healthcare Administration, serving as a Director for large healthcare organizations. However, during her time as an administrator, Kara became ethically and morally conflicted with the state of healthcare, which led to a pivotal moment in her career.
The Birth of Integrative Family Medicine
It was over a simple coffee meeting with Sarah that the idea of Integrative Family Medicine was born. Frustrated with the limitations of traditional healthcare, Kara and Sarah envisioned a practice that prioritized patient care over profit. This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter, where patient-centered care became the focus.
Educational Background and Iowa Roots
Kara holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Informatics and a second Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Des Moines, Iowa, is where she calls home. Growing up in Iowa, Kara always knew she would return, not just to work but to contribute meaningfully to her community.
A Personal Health Journey
Kara’s own health journey significantly influenced her approach to medicine. Traditional healthcare failed to provide answers, leaving her with undiagnosed symptoms and ineffective treatments. She found healing through integrative medicine, which emphasized lifestyle changes and a holistic approach to healthcare. This experience fueled her passion for helping others who face similar struggles.
A Commitment to Patient-Centered Care
At Integrative Family Medicine, Kara is dedicated to offering a healthcare model that truly listens to patients and validates their symptoms. She ensures that clients have access to comprehensive care, empowering them to achieve real health and healing, just as she did. Kara believes that every patient deserves to be heard, and she is committed to providing the support and resources necessary for true wellness.
Kara has worn many hats throughout her career in the medical field. She began as a Critical Care and Surgery nurse and later transitioned into Healthcare Administration, serving as a Director for large healthcare organizations. However, during her time as an administrator, Kara became ethically and morally conflicted with the state of healthcare, which led to a pivotal moment in her career.
The Birth of Integrative Family Medicine
It was over a simple coffee meeting with Sarah that the idea of Integrative Family Medicine was born. Frustrated with the limitations of traditional healthcare, Kara and Sarah envisioned a practice that prioritized patient care over profit. This meeting marked the beginning of a new chapter, where patient-centered care became the focus.
Educational Background and Iowa Roots
Kara holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Informatics and a second Master’s degree as a Nurse Practitioner. Des Moines, Iowa, is where she calls home. Growing up in Iowa, Kara always knew she would return, not just to work but to contribute meaningfully to her community.
A Personal Health Journey
Kara’s own health journey significantly influenced her approach to medicine. Traditional healthcare failed to provide answers, leaving her with undiagnosed symptoms and ineffective treatments. She found healing through integrative medicine, which emphasized lifestyle changes and a holistic approach to healthcare. This experience fueled her passion for helping others who face similar struggles.
A Commitment to Patient-Centered Care
At Integrative Family Medicine, Kara is dedicated to offering a healthcare model that truly listens to patients and validates their symptoms. She ensures that clients have access to comprehensive care, empowering them to achieve real health and healing, just as she did. Kara believes that every patient deserves to be heard, and she is committed to providing the support and resources necessary for true wellness.
More About Kara
Specialty: Family Practice
Typical Patient: Newborns-middle age adults
Men/Women/both: All genders
Education/My Certifications:
Conditions I treat:
I enjoy chronic cases, where patients haven’t had an answer for years and their lab results never give an answer. I have experience with chronic fatigue, Lyme’s disease, EBV, and many other long standing viral illnesses that depress the immune system.
I also perform preventative care visits, well child visits, sick visits, physicals, well woman care and exams, laboratory testing, and more!
Services I offer:
Professional Approach to the Integrative Medical Model:
My approach to the integrative care model is to start with a trauma-informed patient visit, where my main purpose is to establish mutual trust between you as the patient and me as your provider. Your new patient visit will be about 30 minutes where I complete a thorough history and physical exam and offer a diagnostic workup typical of a conventional medical model so that we rule out any red flag issues.
Beyond the initial visit, we will meet to discuss treatment options which can include mental health therapy, IV infusions, oral supplements, nutritional changes, chiropractic care, and more to achieve the results you want for your health. After that, I see you on a regular basis to monitor your progress.
Other personal insight:
I have been sick myself. My journey the past decade along with my professional experiences lead me to start IFM.
My self-care includes a daily spiritual and meditative practice, balance nutrition (gotta get those macros!) some oral supplements, IV therapies when needed, chiropractic work and muscle work (cranial sacral therapy and cupping), and my own self work for healing past wounds from this life and past lives. I've worked hard to reset my nervous system to attain regulation after significant trauma and illness in my life.
In my pre-child life, I traveled extensively, ate lots of exotic food, and tasted the local wine whenever I could.
I can’t wait to get to know you!
Typical Patient: Newborns-middle age adults
Men/Women/both: All genders
Education/My Certifications:
- Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner FNP-BC.
Conditions I treat:
I enjoy chronic cases, where patients haven’t had an answer for years and their lab results never give an answer. I have experience with chronic fatigue, Lyme’s disease, EBV, and many other long standing viral illnesses that depress the immune system.
I also perform preventative care visits, well child visits, sick visits, physicals, well woman care and exams, laboratory testing, and more!
Services I offer:
- Advanced IV therapies beyond our typical infusions you see on the website. I work with a lot of chronically ill and immunocompromised patients who wish to use alternative therapies as their main course of treatment.
- NAD IV infusion therapy, typically best for neuro-inflammatory conditions such as post-Covid and issues with cognitive decline.
- Supplement recommendations, herbal tinctures, and homeopathic drops to use as part of your regular daily lifestyle.
Professional Approach to the Integrative Medical Model:
My approach to the integrative care model is to start with a trauma-informed patient visit, where my main purpose is to establish mutual trust between you as the patient and me as your provider. Your new patient visit will be about 30 minutes where I complete a thorough history and physical exam and offer a diagnostic workup typical of a conventional medical model so that we rule out any red flag issues.
Beyond the initial visit, we will meet to discuss treatment options which can include mental health therapy, IV infusions, oral supplements, nutritional changes, chiropractic care, and more to achieve the results you want for your health. After that, I see you on a regular basis to monitor your progress.
Other personal insight:
I have been sick myself. My journey the past decade along with my professional experiences lead me to start IFM.
My self-care includes a daily spiritual and meditative practice, balance nutrition (gotta get those macros!) some oral supplements, IV therapies when needed, chiropractic work and muscle work (cranial sacral therapy and cupping), and my own self work for healing past wounds from this life and past lives. I've worked hard to reset my nervous system to attain regulation after significant trauma and illness in my life.
In my pre-child life, I traveled extensively, ate lots of exotic food, and tasted the local wine whenever I could.
I can’t wait to get to know you!
