Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, MACP, FAMWA, CS-F

Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, MACP, FAMWA, CS-F, is a nationally respected physician, educator and health care leader whose career has shaped graduate medical education and osteopathic medicine for more than four decades. A 1981 graduate of Kansas City University (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine, she has held many of the profession's highest leadership positions, helping advance physician education, accreditation and leadership development across the country.

Nichols served as chair of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Board of Directors from 2020 to 2022 after six years as a board member. She previously served as dean of the Midwestern University Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 to 2018 and as chair of internal medicine and assistant dean for graduate medical education at Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine. Before entering academic medicine, she spent 17 years in private practice as an internal medicine physician in Arizona. She also earned a master's degree in management with a specialization in health care administration from Central Michigan University.

Throughout her career, Nichols has broken barriers as the first woman to serve as president of the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Osteopathic Internists and the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association. She has also served as president of the Institute of Medicine of Chicago Board of Directors, chaired the Hope International University Board of Directors and serves on the Carol Emmott Foundation Leadership Council.

Nichols has received the highest honors from the American Osteopathic Association, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and KCU. In 2023, she received the American Osteopathic Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. She also holds nine honorary degrees and has delivered more than 900 presentations nationwide, including on physician leadership and her book, Physician Leadership: The 11 Skills Every Doctor Needs to Be an Effective Leader.