Biography
Dr. Karen Rheuban, born and raised in Jamaica, New York, is a leader in pediatric cardiology and medical education at the University of Virginia. She attended the University of Rochester, earned her medical degree from the Ohio State Unviersity College of Medicine, and completed her training in Pediatrics and Pediatric Cardiology at UVA.
Commitment to Health Protection
Currently serving as Professor of Pediatrics (Cardiology) and Senior Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education and External Affairs, Dr. Rheuban is renowned as the co-founder of the UVa Telemedicine program. This initiative, born from her extensive experience delivering remote care in rural Virginia, underscores her commitment to expanding healthcare access through technology. Formerly, she served as President of the American Telemedicine Association.
Her passion as a clinician, researcher, and educator is evident in her advocacy for continuing health professional education and telemedicine outreach. She has testified before Congress on multiple occasions, emphasizing the transformative impact of telehealth and distance learning on improving rural healthcare and advancing professional development.
Recognized for her groundbreaking contributions, Dr. Rheuban was honored in the “Changing the Face of Medicine, Celebrating America’s Women Physicians” exhibit at the National Library of Medicine in 2003. She also received the Elizabeth Zintl Leadership Award from the University of Virginia Women’s Center in 2005, and, in 2017, the University recognized her with the Thomas Jefferson Award.
Beyond her academic and clinical roles, Dr. Rheuban chaired the Virginia Board of Medical Assistance Services (Medicaid) from 2014-2020, overseeing significant Medicaid coverage expansions across the Commonwealth. She remains actively involved in several boards, including the Medical Society of Virginia, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Virginia, the Virginia Telehealth Network, World Youth Clubs, the Blue Ridge Medical Center, and global telemedicine initiatives like the Swinfen Charitable Trust.