Karen M. McDowell, MD

I was inspired to be a pediatric pulmonologist while working on a summer research project during my first year of medical school. I love the physiology of the lungs and how they are affected by so many other body systems. Understanding respiratory diseases involves having a basic knowledge of infectious disease, ENT (ear, nose and throat), GI (gastrointestinal) and cardiology.

I adore working with children because they have a unique perspective and bring joy to life. One of the most rewarding aspects of being a doctor is helping parents understand their child’s breathing issues, how to help them get better and stay healthy from a pulmonary perspective.

As a pediatric pulmonologist, associate director of the Asthma Center and director of the Pulmonary Function Lab, I treat children and adolescents who have asthma, especially severe and difficult-to-treat asthma. I believe that patient care is a partnership — a treatment plan will be successful only if parents and the patient are engaged. Decisions about the best treatment for any patient requires patient and parent input and participation.

In my practice, we provide an in-depth and personalized approach to asthma with a multidisciplinary team of providers with asthma expertise, including respiratory therapists, nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists and dieticians. We individualize care by identifying individual asthma phenotypes and responses to medications.

I am also heavily involved in quality and process improvement. We are constantly striving to improve delivery of our care.

In my free time I can be found walking, playing with my dog, spending time with my family, doing crossword puzzles, cooking and reading. I love the mountains in the summer and a warm beach in the winter.