Karen E. Abernathy, MD, Primary Care Internal Medicine Physician

I strive to clearly explain diagnosis and treatment options to patients so they can make informed decisions about their mental health care. If possible, I try to reduce use of unnecessary medications. I’m currently interested in the intersection of food and mental health. Ultimately, I take a practical approach to patient care to create a collaborative treatment plan that ideally goes beyond a prescription.

Listening to patients and guiding them to make good healthcare decisions is a rewarding, collaborative process. My patients are adults and seniors, so I'm especially interested in helping them with disease prevention, cardiovascular health, and nutrition. “Primary care offers me the incredible opportunity to build connections and relationships with patients on a deeply human level. That approach motivates me to keep learning and adapting—and helps them receive the best care possible. I want patients to know that I'll always meet them where they are and support them through health challenges and improvements.

Dr. Charles MacLean is the Associate Dean of Primary Care for the University of Vermont in Burlington. He feels blessed by the opportunity to get to know people and their families over time. After 30 years in clinical practice, he says “I continue to be awed by the ways in which people cope with and adapt to illness and adversity.” Dr. MacLean serves as a professor of medicine for the Larner College for Medicine. His research interests lie in population health, including the role of social determinants of health, clinical and translational science, safe and effective opioid prescribing, and medical education. You can read his recent work as well as see his academic profile. Learn more about adult primary care at UVM Medical Center.