Kara Murphy Schmidt, MD

My clinical specialty is pediatric rheumatology at Cincinnati Children’s Greater Louisville and Western Kentucky clinics in Louisville and Elizabethtown, KY. I care for children and teenagers with various rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions. I speak Spanish and English, and several of our staff members also speak Spanish.

As a medical student, I cared for a 16-year-old girl with juvenile arthritis. She was hospitalized for two weeks due to arthritic complications, and she shared how arthritis caused her life to be different from her friends and classmates. She wanted to participate in sports but could not play, and much of her time was spent taking medications and going to doctor's appointments. Her experience powerfully impacted my understanding of what life is like with chronic illness, juvenile arthritis in particular.

In my final year of medical school, I worked with Dr. Rich Meier, a pediatric rheumatologist. His compassion for his patients with juvenile arthritis and his determination to find effective treatments inspired me to enter the field of pediatric rheumatology. As a resident physician in pediatrics, I was mentored by Dr. Sue Bowyer, a pediatric rheumatologist. The treatment for children with rheumatic diseases was changing dramatically as new biologic medications were developed and became available in the early 2000s. Seeing many of Dr. Bowyer's patients improve significantly with treatment was encouraging. She cared for children and teens with juvenile arthritis, lupus, dermatomyositis and other rheumatic diseases for which effective therapies had not previously been available.

After residency and chief residency, I completed a three-year fellowship in pediatric rheumatology to gain depth of understanding and expertise in treating rheumatic diseases in children and teens and equip myself with research techniques to advance the field of pediatric rheumatology. My work in research aims to come to a greater understanding of the impact of rheumatic chronic disease on a person's health-related quality of life.

Juvenile arthritis, systemic lupus or other rheumatic diseases impact daily living for children and teenagers with these conditions. I want their diagnosis and treatment experience to be compassionate and respectful. I recognize that each disease may impact an individual differently and that a person's unique experience of living with an illness is essential to understand and address.

I was honored when one of my patients nominated me for The American College of Rheumatology's "My Doc Rocks" award, which I won. When not working, I enjoy hiking and traveling with my family, playing tennis and gardening.