Dr. Michael Carpenter, board-certified pediatrician, provides well-child visits, treats children when they are sick and manages chronic or ongoing medical conditions.
Dr. Carpenter didn't always know he wanted to be a doctor.
“I was planning on a career as a Wildlife Biologist specializing in Herpetology, the study of reptiles and amphibians, and I have always liked keeping snakes," he said. “I kept a pet Burmese Python for over 20 years and she was 14 feet long and 130 pounds when I had to sell her to a zoo due to moving overseas."
His Herpetology career was cut short when he fell in love with medicine while working as an EMT/Paramedic.
Dr. Carpenter completed his residency in Pediatrics at Geisinger Children's Hospital in Danville, Pennsylvania, which, at the time, was the only rural free-standing Children's Hospital in the nation.
He received his medical degree at the University of Utah – School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“After residency, I joined the U.S. Air Force as a General Pediatrician. I was honored to serve our nation's airmen and women at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey, Royal Air Force Base Lakenheath in England and at the U.S. Air Force academy in Colorado Springs," he said. “Loving travel, it was great to be in Europe and Asia for five years and to see so many interesting places and meet so many interesting people."
After leaving the U.S. Air Force, he stayed in Colorado and worked in private practice for four years. He and his wife later moved to Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
“I've always enjoyed canoeing, hiking, fishing and hunting and don't like big city life or hot temperatures," he said. “This was a perfect fit."
Working in health care has been another good fit. Dr. Carpenter comes from a long line of teachers and loves to teach while providing care.
“I love being able to help a parent understand not just what is happening, but why it is happening. If you leave your visit not understanding what is going on with your child, I would consider that a failure on my part," he said.
As a pediatrician, he specializes in providing well-child care, treats children when they are sick and manages ongoing or chronic medical conditions. He has a special interest in allergy/immunology, dermatology, infectious disease and ADHD medicine.
“I love being a pediatrician. Being a kid at heart, I get along better with the kids than the adults," he said.
Dr. Carpenter grew up in a military family, with his father in the Air Force. He was born in Arizona and has lived in California, Hawaii, Utah, Colorado and now, Michigan.
“My family moved to Utah after my father retired and I did my undergraduate at Southern Utah University," he said.
He met his wife at the university. They have been together almost 30 years and have four children.
During his free time, he helps his wife and sons run their second business, The Bear's Den, a go-cart track and mini golf course.