Episode 15: Karen J. Nichols D.O. Chair of the ACGME; DO Legend!

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"It's not about giving back. It's about paying it forward." 

Dr. Nichols is a true trailblazer. She worked as a family practitioner and became the first female dean at the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she served for 16 years. During this time, she was elected president of the American Osteopathic Association. When we interviewed female physicians on our podcast, many identified Dr. Nichols as their mentor and role model. In 2015, Dr. Nichols was selected for the Distinguished Service Certificate, the highest honor awarded by the AOA, for her leadership.

Despite her modesty, Dr. Nichol’s CV places her as the first DO chair-elect of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, or ACGME, which, since the recent merger, accredits residencies and fellowships programs in the United States for both MDs and DOs. As you will quickly see from this interview, Dr. Nichols is a paradigm and inspiration for the osteopathic profession.