Karen Studer, MD

Loma Linda University School of Medicine has appointed Karen Studer, MD, to serve as chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine. 

Previously vice chair of the Department of Preventive Medicine, Studer joined the School of Medicine faculty in July 2014 and serves as assistant professor of preventive medicine.

“Dr. Studer’s experience and commitment to preventive medicine have been instrumental in advancing our medical education,” said Tamara Thomas, MD, dean of Loma Linda University School of Medicine. “She will continue to grow the department and cares about the health and well-being of our community.” 

Studer serves in a variety of leadership roles for Loma Linda University Health, including program director of the Preventive Medicine Residency and program director at the Public Health Population Medicine MPH program at the School of Public Health. 

She is one of the founding faculty of the Lifestyle Medicine Residency Curriculum (LMRC), and serves as an author, lead, and editor for multiple publications and grants. She serves as director on the American Board of Preventive Medicine and has served on the Public Health and General Preventive Medicine Milestones 2.0 Committee.

Studer earned a Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University School of Public Health in 2003 and a Doctor of Medicine degree at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in 2010. She completed her residency in preventive medicine at Loma Linda University Health and later earned a Master’s of Business Administration in healthcare administration. 

She is board-certified in preventive medicine, obesity medicine, integrative holistic medicine, and lifestyle medicine, and she is recognized as a lifestyle medicine intensivist.

Studer succeeds April Wilson, MD, who served as chair of the department since 2017. Wilson will remain with Loma Linda University School of Medicine and focus on its lifestyle medicine curricula.

The position was approved by the Loma Linda University Health Board of Trustees earlier this week.