Karen V. Cleary has more than 27 years of experience as a physician assistant, nearly half of those years with Desert Orthopedic Center, having joined DOC in 1991. Her career includes experience in hand surgery, microsurgery, emergency room care, joint replacement, spinal surgery, trauma, and pediatrics. Since the development of Desert Orthopedic Center’s Comprehensive Spine Center, in 1995, she has worked exclusively under the supervision of orthopedic spine specialists.
Karen currently works side by side with spine specialists Dr. David Tahernia and Dr. Armen Khachatryan. She works with both of them in the clinic and also as the first assistant in all aspects of orthopedic surgery. She spends 70 percent of her time in surgery and the other 30 percent in the clinic setting.
She also runs a weekly Fast Track Spine Clinic. “The patients are scheduled for appointments based on the acuity of their condition,” explains Karen. “Patients with back conditions are usually in acute pain. Rather than waiting, or having to go to an emergency room, I can see them on a timely basis. I perform an initial evaluation, determine a treatment course, and then prescribe appropriate medications and other therapeutic measures.”
Karen received an associate’s degree in physician assistant studies with an emphasis in orthopedics from Cerritos College in Norwalk. Her medical and clinical coursework was done at the LAC-USC Medical Center. She graduated with honors and earned an “outstanding achievement award.” She also completed a one year post-graduate P.A. residency in the Department of Orthopedics.
A veteran PA, Karen has mentored PA students and has trained new graduates in her field of specialty. She is a member of both the American and California Academy of Physician Assistants.
“A physician assistant is a physician extender. I strive to give the patients the same level of service as my supervising physicians based on algorithms of care that we develop together. I am very fortunate to have a relationship with physicians and staff who support and encourage my continued work at DOC.”
Robert W. Murphy, M.D., M.P.H.
