Troy Medical was founded by Ophthalmologist Dr. Kara Hartl. Dr. Hartl has been practicing medicine in Fairbanks, Alaska for almost 15 years where she has witnessed firsthand the challenges of obtaining medical treatment. She created Troy Medical with the belief that everyone should have access to excellent medical care, no matter where they live. Troy Medical is a new approach to Telemedicine with the goal of bringing medical specialists from all over the country to remote and medically underserved communities using technology. Troy Medical provides an enhanced telemedicine experience using a hybrid of online and in-person care.
Genesis Story:
Dr. Hartl was inspired to start Troy Medical after witnessing one of her own patients become overwhelmed by a debilitating medical condition. After years of providing his eye care, she realized that this patient's health was rapidly declining. Unable to find a medical specialist in Alaska, his condition had progressed to the point where even walking was a challenge. His illness was taking over his life. Dr. Hartl was shocked by how much her patient's health had deteriorated, and she knew she had to take action. Because Interior Alaska is so remote, access to specialty care is extremely limited, if it is available at all. Recognizing the potential that telemedicine has to bring life-changing care to remote areas, Dr. Hartl chose to reach out to specialists across the country to organize a team of doctors who can provide world-class, personalized medical care to patients in any location. She chose to name this project after her patient, Troy.
Our Team:
Educated at Harvard University and University of California-San Diego Medical School, trained at the world-renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Dr. Katherine Johnson was well-equipped to create a world-class medical center in an underserved community and bring the best medicine in the world to the people of Alaska. Her entrepreneurial spirit grew a multi-specialty medical center from the ground up and has created the most technologically advanced medical and surgical center in the state, rivaling anywhere in the country. Dr. Johnson has developed high-level systems for virtually every aspect of her business, from designing an ophthalmic technician training program to defining the hospital protocols. She has raised the standards of ophthalmic medicine in Alaska to the highest levels in the country.
But Dr. Kara Johnson certainly didn’t stop there. She founded the international non-profit Gift of Sight that is dedicated to curing blindness across the globe. The Prevention of Global Blindness fellowship, which she co-founded, was created to empower recent graduates to join this international community. Dr. Johnson has recently expanded her focus into the world of medical technology. This is an exponential field that is changing the way we will practice medicine and she is passionate about incorporating technology into the future of eye care. She continues to work with early-stage start-ups to help them grow in this ever-developing field.
Most recently, Dr. Johnson has recognized the power of telehealth and the ability to provide high-quality medical care to remote areas like never before. A silver lining of the COVID pandemic has been the widespread growth of telemedicine. After 14 years living in rural Alaska, Dr. Johnson is extremely aware of the limitations geography can have on access to medical care. She recently started a novel telehealth company, Troy Medical, that offers long-term subspecialty medical care to remote areas via telehealth. By partnering with clinics on the ground, Troy Medical is providing exceptional medicine through a hybrid model using "on-the-ground" clinical infrastructure and subspecialty care via telehealth to areas with little or no access. Troy Medical is creating a new gold-standard for telemedicine in rural America.
Chief Operations Officer
Abbie was brought on as Troy Medical's Chief Operations Officer in February of 2022. With a background in outpatient practice administration, she was drawn to Dr. Hartl's vision and mission for medical care, telemedicine and how it could be used to improve life in underserved groups. Born in Vermont - which boasts the country's second smallest state population, Abbie has witnessed how lack of access to care ripples through communities, including her own experienced difficulty accessing reproductive specialists after years of undiagnosed pelvic pain, for which she finally had to seek care outside of her home state.
Medical Receptionist
Introducing Stephanie, our dedicated medical receptionist at Troy Medical. Joining the team in June 2023, she brings a wealth of experience from her extensive background in medical administration and ophthalmology assisting. A 25-year Florida resident, she finds joy in spending time with her family, fiance, and two loyal dogs. Stephanie's love for the great outdoors fuels her passions for traveling, boating, gardening, and photography. While she works remotely, her commitment to providing exceptional service is unwavering. Stephanie is thrilled to be part of the Troy Medical team and is excited to witness the company's growth in the coming years. Connect with Stephanie at Troy Medical and experience her friendly and professional assistance.
Medical Assistant, Fairbanks
Talen is Troy Medical's new MA located at our Fairbanks location. She was born and raised in Fairbanks, Alaska. She has worked in the medical field for 9 years in a multitude of positions from receptionist to surgical assistant along side Dr. Hartl and has followed her from ophthalmology to specialty telemedicine care. She enjoys spending time with her family. In the summer, she enjoys going to Birch Lake and soaking up the 24 hour sun. She likes to keep busy in the long winters with sports such as snowboarding and downhill skiing. She will be the new face to greet you as you arrive for your appointments.
Medical Assistant, Sulphur Springs
With a diverse background in Washington State, Colorado and Florida, Kristen Paterson is a well-seasoned professional with over a decade of experience in healthcare. She is a passionate problem solver known for her innovative approach to tackling complex challenges in previous leadership roles.
Outside of her professional life, Kristen is an avid reader and enjoys outdoor adventures which she believes fuels her creativity and keeps her problem-solving skills sharp.
Kristen's extensive involvement in serving her local communities has given her a deep sense of compassion and empathy. Her exposure to the rapidly changing world of technology attracted her interest in Troy Medical's unique blend of telemedicine.
Recognizing the challenges we face with healthcare access, she is resolved to contribute her expertise and knowledge to improve healthcare services in rural areas.