Karen B. Russell, MD
Hematology-Oncology
Locations
TMH Physician Partners - Cancer & Hematology
1775 One Healing Place 2nd Floor Tallahassee, FL 32308
About Me
Get to Know the Doctor
What inspired you to become a physician?
My parents and great mentors
What do you enjoy doing when you are not working?
Family time is #1. I have a 4 year old son named Chase who is the apple of my eye and a wonderful husband. I also enjoy church activities, exercise, major league baseball, ACC sports, and reading.
In your opinion, what’s the most important factor in a doctor-patient relationship?
Communication and kindness
What do you find most encouraging about the work you do?
I enjoy oncology, and medicine in general, because I love people and I get to know my patients. It is a medical specialty that still allows you to “be a doctor” and walk with someone on a journey. Even when things are bad with a cancer diagnosis, you can find victories and miracles every day, with people living longer and feeling better than they ever expected. We celebrate those!
In addition, oncology involves a “village” to take great care of a person, and I love the many disciplines and my colleagues that come together to make that happen. I think medical oncologists are the quarterbacks of the team to care for a cancer patient, but here in a football town, everyone knows each teammate is vital (especially the kicker!).
Do you have any specific medical interests?
I especially enjoy treating gastrointestinal malignancies and the adolescent/young adult (AYA) population, but I enjoy general hematology and oncology for the variety of people and problems we encounter. In addition, I am excited to be assisting in the start of the oncology clinical trials program locally at TMH so that our patients can receive cutting edge care close to home.
Education
Medical School:
University of Miami-School of Medicine
(2002)
Residency:
Naval Medical Center
(2005)
Fellowship:
Duke University Medical Center
(2009)
Board Certifications
American Board of Internal Medicine (Medical Oncology)