Biography
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist (Physiatrist) Karen Meyer, D.O., currently serves as the medical director for the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena.
Dr. Meyer went into the field of physical medicine and rehabilitation because she enjoys improving the quality of life of her patients. “I enjoy the focus of improving the quality of one’s life by listening and concentrating on their complete care,” she said. “While I have liked working in outpatient clinics, I really enjoy the team aspect of patient care in an inpatient setting.”
Over the course of her career, Dr. Meyer has served as medical director of a neurorecovery brain injury program, as well as a physiatrist in inpatient rehabilitation hospitals and outpatient rehabilitation settings. Prior to coming to MyMichigan Medical Center Alpena, she worked at an outpatient rehabilitation practice in Traverse City.
Philosophy of Care
“I believe in a holistic approach to medicine in general and in working with my patients on their treatment goals together in collaborative ways, allowing for better outcomes,” she added.
Special Interests and Procedures
Dr. Meyer specializes in traumatic brain injuries and electrodiagnostic medicine (EMG), which assesses the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. Other areas of specialty include general rehabilitation and non-narcotic management of myofascial pain, upper and lower extremity pain, neck and lower back pain and sacroiliac dysfunction.
Throughout her career, Dr. Meyer has been involved in a variety of clinical research studies and has been published in several medical journals, including the Manual of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, EMG Case of the Month and Arch Phys Med Rehabilitation.
Dr. Meyer and her husband Rob have two sons, Donovan and Josef. She enjoys spending time on the water, boating and watching her sons play baseball.
Dr. Meyer is currently accepting new patient referrals.