Hello! My name is Karissa Barela. I was born and raised in Southern California approximately 30 miles from the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. I have an identical twin sister/best friend who equally shares my love for Mickey Mouse. 

I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from the University of California, Irvine in 2016. I then completed my Master’s Degree in Anatomy from the George Washington University in Washington, DC in 2018. While applying to medical school, I had the opportunity to work for an OBGYN who subspecialized in chronic vulvar pain. My desire to practice medicine with excellence, compassion and integrity was further fueled to dismantle the disparities in women’s health care.  

I attended medical school at Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. I explored my many interesting including obstetrics, gynecology, pediatrics, preventive medicine and mental health. I served as the vice-chair for the Finding Inspiration and Resilience in Medicine committee to reshape the culture of medicine and empower my colleagues to advocate for their own health and wellness. 

From the start, my dream residency program was unopposed, full-spectrum, community-based and located in Indiana. The Fort Wayne Medical Education Program is quite literally a dream come true. Even before the match season began, the FWMEP was my top choice for residency. After I rotated with the program for a month, I found myself comparing every other program to this one and wishing I was back at the FWMEP where my eagerness to learn was met by attentive faculty and residents who were intentional to teach throughout the day. Right away I could see that this program would help me become a competent, confident physician equipped to care for pregnant women, speak up for vulnerable patients and give back to the community. 

Outside of medicine I enjoy reading historical fiction, biographies, or murder mystery novels. For me, a night out on the town includes swing dancing, a live band, and good friends. More likely than not you will find me at a local church listening to sermons, teaching Sunday school or volunteering in the nursery.