Karen J. Nichols DO, MA, MACOI, CS

Karen J. Nichols, DO, MA, MACOI, CS served as the Dean of the Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine from 2002 to 2018. She was on leave to serve as President of the American Osteopathic Association 2010-2011. Prior to serving as Dean, she was Assistant Dean, Post Doctoral Education, and Division Director, Internal Medicine at the Midwestern University/Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine since 1997. Dr. Nichols was in the private practice of internal medicine/geriatrics in Mesa, AZ 1985 - 2002. She is a graduate of Kansas City University-College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) with a DO degree and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from KCU-COM. She has a Master's degree in Management with a specialty in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University.

Dr. Nichols holds honorary degrees from the University of Pikeville - COM, Lincoln Memorial University – COM, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, A. T. Still University- COM, Western University of Health Sciences – College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Des Moines University-College of Osteopathic Medicine.

She has served as President of the American Osteopathic Association, President of the Arizona Osteopathic Medical Association and President of the American College of Osteopathic Internists and was the first woman to hold all of those positions. Dr. Nichols is one of the first four DOs elected to the board of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education.