Colleen M. Kershaw, MD

I want my patients to feel cared for and that we have achieved a common goal to improve their health. I’m honored that patients and families trust me to guide them when making important medical decisions. I take that trust very seriously. I’ve enjoyed working with children and families throughout my healthcare career. I started my career in healthcare administration. I soon realized I wanted to work more directly with patients and families. After becoming a nurse, I worked at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (CHaD). I loved being at the bedside and caring for our most vulnerable patients in pediatric oncology. That experience convinced me to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner. The primary care setting allows me to develop relationships with patients and families so we can work together to improve their health. I am passionate about working with underserved populations. I love conversing in Spanish with patients. I truly enjoy getting to know my patients. I love learning what is most important to them and what drives them to be healthy!

I’ve always loved helping others. As a teen, my volunteer work in emergency care as well as a personal injury I experienced piqued my interest in medicine. Now, as a physician assistant in vascular surgery, I help patients change the course of their lives while collaborating with exceptionally talented surgeons. My patients are my priority. I take pride in caring for the whole person, not just their specific condition. I love getting to know my patients. Both my communication style and care are tailored to the individual so their needs are fully met. It's important that patients and their caregivers understand the disease and treatment recommendations. With knowledge, they become more invested and empowered in decision-making. That way, we are partners in their care. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a patient improve their health with the care recommendations I provide. That is especially true when patients avoid limb loss. It’s amazing to watch the impact of medicine and lifestyle changes on a patient’s well-being. My favorite part is celebrating those successes together.

As a doctor in internal medicine, I am here to collaborate with my patients and work with them as a team to reach their health goals. My principal role is to provide safe, compassionate, and respectful support and medical guidance for each patient. That might vary from a simple preventive health screen to managing more complex, frail patients. I want to build a long-term partnership with my patients and their families based on mutual respect and trust. Together, we will strive to keep them happy and healthy.