Hooked on Primary Care with Tammie Koehler, DO

I opened a solo practice in a rural setting in northeast Oklahoma. I am the only provider in my clinic, and it is a journey that has been very rewarding.

I have delivered more than 3,500 babies, and having the ability to participate in that beautiful moment with so many families has been a blessing. I have now started delivering babies from mothers whom I delivered when I first opened practice and when I was in residency.

I am married to a family physician, Duane, who is also a doctor of osteopathic medicine. He practices family medicine also in a rural setting. We were nontraditional students. I did not finish my undergraduate degree until after I was 30. I had the ability to raise our children at home during their formative years and then I wanted to help care for others. I have five children, and when my youngest, who were twins, were in junior high school, I went to medical school. During my time in medical school, my husband took care of our children and managed his practice. My medical school was 95 miles away, so I would come home on the weekends while my husband took care of the kids all week.

Fortunately, we had wonderful friends who provided us with a lot of support, and we managed to make it work. It has been a blessing and privilege and something I am forever grateful for. When you find something that you’re passionate about, then I think you should follow that dream.

Tammie Koehler, DO
General obstetrics and gynecology physician
American Osteopathic Association