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New ARNP likes variety of family practice

By coming to Marion, Karen Wheeler is returning to her rural roots.

The new ARNP (Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner) at Marion Family Physicians, grew up in LaCrosse, one of seven children.

She always has been fond of the small-town setting but her studies and work took her to Wichita where she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing.

Wheeler worked from 1981 to 1998 in the coronary care unit at Wesley Medical Center.

She enjoyed her work in the heart unit but wanted more.

"I loved the ICU (intensive care unit) and coronary care but it got boring," she said.

When the family nurse practitioner position came to be, she jumped at the opportunity.

Wheeler earned her master's degree in June 1998 and became board certified. She worked at a large clinic at Via Christi and, prior to coming to the Marion practice, she worked for a Wichita physician. She likes the variety that a family practice offers.

"I treat all ages — infants to the elderly," Wheeler said, but knows her coronary care experience will be useful in treating the middle-aged and elderly of the community.

She particularly appreciates the opportunity to treat those women who are more comfortable coming to another woman for treatment and discussing medical issues.

Each day is different, Wheeler said, treating a variety of age groups for a variety of ailments and injuries.

Coming in the middle of cold and flu season, Wheeler is surprised at the number of patients she's been seeing but isn't complaining.

"I thought the Marion office would be a little slower paced than the Wichita office but it's been busy," she said with a laugh.

Wheeler resides in Marion. Her daughter, Amy Pharis, is a senior at Wichita State University. Most of her family is a short drive from Marion.

"It's good to be back in a smaller town," she said. "I'm looking forward to meeting people and becoming involved in the community."

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