Dr. Karen Vaniver
Recognized as one of America's Top Surgeons, and America’s Top Plastic Surgeons by the Consumer Research Council of America, Dr. Karen Vaniver has practiced in the Seattle area for the last 4 years. Born in Philadelphia, Dr. Vaniver graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors from Temple University. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in 1986. She completed her general surgery residency at Brown University, where she received the Resident Teaching Award. She subsequently completed her fellowship in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Florida. From 1994-2005, Dr. Vaniver maintained a private solo practice in Missouri. She served as Medical Director of the Heartland Regional Medical Center Wound Care Program, which received a commendation from the Joint Commission for its inception. She was also president of the Buchanan County Medical Society and the Missouri Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. She moved to Washington in 2006. Her current practice, Seattle Plastic Surgery, focuses on breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery of the face and body. She also consults on the management of complex wounds upon physician request.
Dr. Vaniver is certified by the American Board of Surgery and the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an active member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, the Northwest Plastic Surgery Society and the Washington State Medical Society. She has served on numerous national committees, including the Speakers Bureau of the Susan G. Komen Foundation. She is a consultant and speaker for the Lifecell Corporation. She has presented her work at national meetings, and is the author of several publications. Dr. Vaniver is a graduate of the Pathways to Leadership program of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. She was a 2003 recipient of the AMA Hero in Medicine Award.
Dr. Vaniver is also an exhibited photographer and painter. Her essays on women in plastic surgery and the role of spiritual practice in plastic surgery have been published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. A dedicated traveler, Dr. Vaniver has worked internationally with Interplast, a not-for-profit organization providing free reconstructive surgery for children. She facilitates a support group named "Girltalk", which uses breast cancer as a stimulus for positive life growth, and authors a blog, entitled "Cancer Made Me Nice", on Blogger.com.
