As we continue to commemorate Women in Medicine Month, I’d like to contribute my own nomination to Connect’s, “Celebrating Women in Medicine Month: Who’s Your Inspiration?” feature.
There have been so many women at UVA Health and throughout my career who inspire me, but today, I want to highlight the truly extraordinary work of Dr. Karen Rheuban, Director of the University of Virginia Center for Telehealth, Professor of Pediatrics and Senior Associate Dean for Continuing Medical Education and External Affairs.
In her 50+ year career at UVA Health, Dr. Rheuban has revolutionized how we deliver care through telemedicine and, as such, has made an incredible impact on improving the health of countless patients. As co-founder and Director of the UVA Center for Telehealth, she’s made care accessible across Virginia, even in its most rural areas. Under her leadership, the Center now connects over 100 sites and has secured more than $30 million in funding.
Across all her roles, Dr. Rheuban has a proven ability to bring people together to turn innovative vision into action. Dr. Rheuban has partnered with diverse organizations, from rural communities and correctional facilities to state and federal agencies. Her leadership on impactful committees, including chairing Virginia's Board of Medical Assistance Services and Virginia’s COVID-19 Response Telehealth Working Group, has shaped policy and expanded healthcare access both statewide and nationally.
Whether she is bringing people together to solve complex problems or using telehealth to save lives, Dr. Rheuban leads with heart, expertise, and a strong sense of purpose. She’s an inspiration to me and many others, and I am honored to call her a friend and a colleague.
Dr. Rheuban is just one example of the incredible women in medicine we have at UVA Health. I encourage you to read the other nominations from our team and continue to celebrate and share the women who inspire us through the Be Heard Suggestion Box. It’s a privilege to work alongside such a talented team, united by our shared mission.
Take care and be well,
Wendy