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Growing up, Karen Garcia, DO, witnessed her parents’ struggles navigating the U.S. healthcare system, often stepping in to serve as their interpreter.

Her family ended up in medical poverty -- an experience that has shaped the trajectory of Dr. Garcia’s career as a physician.

“Prevention, I tell people, is the cornerstone of pediatrics, and always caught my attention,” said Dr. Garcia, who completed her pediatrics residency in 2012 at Michigan State University Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (MSU/KCMS), the predecessor to 91̽��.  “How is it that we prevent people from having to experience the complications I've seen my family have? It's always been something at the forefront of both my life and my mind.”

A pediatrician, breastfeeding medicine specialist, and system director of health transformation and community partnerships at Bronson Healthcare, Dr. Garcia’s focus remains on improving maternal and infant health outcomes and advancing equitable care.

For all of these efforts, Dr. Garcia, who serves as clinical assistant professor in the medical school’s Department of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, has been named by YWCA Kalamazoo as one of this year’s Women of Achievement award recipients.

Dr. Garcia and other awardees were recognized on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the YWCA Kalamazoo Women of Achievement Legacy Celebration at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. Among the other award recipients were Cheryl Dickson, MD, MPH, the medical school's Associate Dean for Community Education and Engagement, and Kathy Jackson, MD, a Kalamazoo physician who completed her pediatrics residency training at MSU/KCMS in 2001.

“It's incredibly humbling to receive this recognition,” Dr. Garcia said. “I do this work because it’s the right thing to do. It's hard work and it's work that I wouldn't necessarily have to do, but I choose to do, and step into these spaces that are sometimes uncomfortable and sometimes not welcoming because it is the right thing to do for my patients, for my community, for my sons, and for my mom and dad.

“It's very humbling that other people have recognized that.”

In addition to her work at Bronson, Dr. Garcia co-leads the Southwest Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (SWMPQIC), a regional effort aimed at reducing infant mortality and improving health outcomes for Southwest Michigan families. Dr. Garcia also serves on boards for the Michigan Breastfeeding Network and El Concilio Kalamazoo.

She is currently pursuing her executive MBA at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.

Dr. Garcia said her work is largely guided and inspired by her two sons, ages 8 and 10.

“These two incredibly busy, wonderful, smart boys are the reason why I do all of this,” Dr. Garcia said. “I want to be that example for them so that they can grow up and be those advocates for those that don't have a voice.”