Karen Scroggins: Caring for Patients and Building Community

Karen Scroggins didn’t grow up in this corner of Kansas. She was raised in Alton, Illinois, and has called Iowa, Arizona, and Texas “home” at various points in her adult life. When her husband’s work brought them to the area, she arrived with an open mind and found a community and a hospital that felt like the right fit.

Now a family nurse practitioner at AmberMed, Karen brings a clear sense of purpose to her work. She describes being drawn to healthcare by a desire to help others and be part of
something meaningful.

“I find healthcare rewarding because it combines compassion, teamwork, and continuous learning,” she said.

She’s found all three at AmberMed, where she works alongside Dr. Gaede and Dr. Walz, whose example she credits as a source of daily inspiration.

One of the things Karen appreciates most about rural healthcare is the opportunity to form meaningful connections with patients and their families.

“I’m not just caring for patients—I’m caring for members of my community,” she said. “That connection makes the work even more meaningful.”

She also wants residents to know what she discovered when she joined the team: the level of care available right here may surprise them.

“The expertise and dedication of the providers and staff — that’s something people may not expect until they experience it firsthand,” she said.

For Karen, local healthcare access isn’t just a convenience. It’s essential.

“Keeping healthcare close to home removes barriers to care and allows our community to receive treatment, preventative services, and follow-up care without traveling long distances,”
she said. “It also provides peace of mind, because patients can receive quality care from providers they know and trust.”