Pediatrician Dr. Karen Johal joins Ozarks Healthcare

Ozarks Healthcare recently welcomed Dr. Karen Johal, pediatric physician, to Ozarks Healthcare Pediatrics as a new provider. Johal joins providers Dr. Carolyn Ellsworth and Bridgette Hendrix, APN, in providing compassionate, expert children’s primary care backed by the full resources of the Ozarks Healthcare system.

“The recent addition of Dr. Johal to our pediatric healthcare team is a huge asset for our health system and community,” Tom Keller, Ozarks Healthcare President, and CEO said. “With an increased need for expert pediatric care, Dr. Johal’s experience and skill set, along with her enthusiasm for the unique healthcare needs of children, will greatly benefit our patients in receiving the care they need close to home.”

Johal completed a pediatrics residency at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. She earned her Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) from the American University of Integrative Sciences in Barbados. She also holds a general Bachelor of Science from the University of Manitoba, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Growing up, Johal was always taking care of her younger relatives because she was the oldest sibling in the family and had many younger cousins. As a result, she knew she wanted a job working with children. She fell in love with the medical side of childcare when she volunteered at a nearby children's hospital. In rural Manitoba, Johal witnessed firsthand the need for high-quality healthcare that was scarce and this also strengthened her desire to work in rural areas.

She cites a number of factors when asked why she and her husband decided to practice in West Plains. Johal said that when they arrived for their interviews, "We just fell in love with it" (West Plains). It was the people; everyone was genuinely kind and eager to assist. Coming here felt like home. It made such a huge difference.” 

She and her husband moved into a new home and on the first day, their neighbor brought them cupcakes.  She mused, “I thought is this real? I thought that just happened in movies.”

Johal and her husband, Dr. Ryan Vaisler, have moved to West Plains. Vaisler, a board-certified family medicine specialist, has also joined Ozarks Healthcare West Plains Family Medicine. The newlywed couple enjoys engaging in outdoor activities and are looking forward to exploring more of what the Ozarks have to offer.

Johal also provides Ozarks Healthcare with some specialist pediatric treatment. She has experience diagnosing and managing children's ADHD, as well as working with endocrinology to care for kids with diabetes. Additionally, she will see pediatric patients in the hospital and care for newborns in Ozarks Healthcare’s Women’s Center.

Johal is accepting new patients. Contact Ozarks Pediatrics at 417-257-7076 for more information. Ozarks Healthcare Pediatrics is located at 312 Kentucky Ave. in West Plains and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

To learn more about Ozarks Healthcare’s Pediatric services, visit https://www.ozarkshealthcare.com/services/pediatrics/

Ozarks Healthcare is a system of care encompassing primary care and specialty clinics, along with complete rehabilitation, behavioral healthcare, and home health services. While the 114-bed acute care hospital cares for more than 5,400 admissions, the entire health system has more than 364,000 patient visits annually in South Central Missouri and Northern Arkansas. For more information about Ozarks Healthcare, visit www.OzarksHealthcare.com.

Ozarks Healthcare recently welcomed Dr. Karen Johal, pediatrician, to Ozarks Healthcare Pediatrics as a new provider. Johal joins Dr. Carolyn Ellsworth, and Bridgette Hendrix, APN, in providing expert children’s primary care.