Helping patients get back to doing the things they love is the hallmark of Physician Assistant Laura Vivio-Karle's health care philosophy.
“Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to be a doctor. I always took care of my grandmother. She was quite sick when I was a kid, and she was my best friend so I've always been interested in medicine."
In addition, Vivio-Karle's mother worked as an Emergency Department registered nurse so taking care of people is in her bloodline. “I want to help patients get back to doing the things at they love," she said.
As a certified physician assistant in Cardiology, Vivio-Karle cares for patients with conditions such as heart failure, coronary heart disease and atrial fibrillation.
“Cardiology is something I've always been interested in. I think it can be really challenging and that appeals to me," she said.
Helping patients understand their conditions and getting their lives back on track is very important to Vivio-Karle.
“My big thing with patients is trying to get them to understand their diagnoses so they can be an active part in their health care because if you don't do that they don't tend to stick to plans," she said. “Trying to get to know them on a personal level and how the plan is going to work for them is important. I want people to live their life instead of surviving day to day."
Vivio-Karle enjoys meeting new patients and figuring out how she can help them. “I'm a very social person, and I like to meet patients, get to know them and follow up on how they're doing and adjust as needed," she said.
Vivio-Karle earned a bachelor's degree in physician assistant studies and biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
In her free time, Vivio-Karle and her husband stay busy with their two daughters and their activities. She also enjoys biking, crafting, reading and going to the lake with her family, which also includes two goldendoodles.