Dr. Karla Pivik

Dr. Karla Snider Pivik, FAAD, FAOCD, is a Board-Certified Dermatologist with a very patient-centered approach to treating dermatologic medical conditions. She hails from the wild and scenic town of Green River, Wyoming, and earned two Bachelor’s Degrees from the University of Wyoming. During her tenure in Wyoming, she discovered her love of foreign travel and participated in a foreign exchange program in Salamanca, Spain.

Dr. Pivik attended Osteopathic Medical School at Western University of Health Sciences in Southern California and graduated with honors. She completed residency training in Oregon, served as chief resident her final year, and has practiced dermatology in Oregon since completing her training.

Following the osteopathic philosophy, Dr. Pivik believes that all body systems are interrelated and dependent on good health. Excellent patient care values the person as an individual, and understands the psychosocial impact of dermatologic conditions and seeks to treat this skin and the whole person.

Outside the office, Dr. Pivik spends her free time with her husband, three active little boys, and her golden retrievers and bernadoodle. Dr. Pivik and her family are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy exploring Oregon’s beautiful landscapes. She loves hiking, biking, camping, rafting, and fishing. She plays disk golf and loves to throw pottery on a wheel. She sometimes attempts to play the guitar and is a self-proclaimed campfire cuisine enthusiast.

What is a DO?

A DO, or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, is a physician who, like an MD (Doctor of Medicine), is licensed to practice medicine, prescribe medications, and perform surgery in all 50 states. And just like MD physicians, a DO must graduate from an accredited medical school, must complete three to five years of residency, and take board certification examinations in their area of specialty.

How are DOs Different?

While MDs attend allopathic medical schools, DOs attend osteopathic medical schools. In osteopathic medical schools, the philosophy is holistic, focusing on the whole person.

Osteopathic medicine emphasizes disease prevention through diet, exercise, and a healthy lifestyle. DOs receive extra training in osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM), a physical skill used to diagnose and treat problems with the muscles, bones, and nerves. DOs focus on disease prevention and healthy living through nutrition and exercise.

For more information on Doctors of Osteopathy, please visit the American Osteopathic Association.