Karen Wheeler, APRN

Family Nurse Practitioner
Hutchinson

I grew up in West-Central Kansas as part of a large family. I moved to Wichita to attend WSU where I earned my degree in Nursing.  I worked at Wesley Medical Center in the Coronary Care Unit for about 17 years with a few years also in Cardiac Rehab and at an out-patient heart cath lab.  While I loved critical care, it occured to me that it would be better to help people prevent heart attacks, so I went back to WSU and completed my Masters degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I have 20+ years of APRN experience now that includes serving patients in the office as well as the emergency room and long-term care facilities.  

Along the way, I had my own health problems that did not respond well to conventional medicine but did improve by changing my nutrition and lifestyle. This is the basis of Functional Medicine that I was trained to use when I worked at Riordan Clinic. When that position came to an end, I went back to Cardiology.  Immediately I realized that conventional medicine only -- giving a pill for an ill or doing an acute intervention -- was just not right for me.  Being part of the Prairie Health and Wellness team gives me the perfect opportunity to offer my patients the best of conventional and functional medicine.  The appointments allow enough time to address the patient’s needs and concerns so we can develop a plan for each individual person.  

My daughter is now grown & married to a wonderful man! I am blessed to live close enough to see them often. I am a Reiki Master and have a small private Reiki practice (www.reikibykaren.com). In my spare time, I like to play with my 2 dogs, read, and visit with family and friends.